New Kid on the Block: English-Medium Instruction in Chinese Schools

Abstract

Although experimentation with English as an instructional medium for majority-language students in mainland China started at only the turn of the 21st century, this form of language provision has made significant inroads in the school system within several years. Despite being exalted by the mainstream educational discourse as a highly commendable reform initiative and a cornerstone of quality education, the spread of English-medium instruction has given rise to many thorny issues that deserve serious attention. This article presents an overview of the English-provision initiative. After a historical review, the article describes the impact of the initiative on the school system, outlines the main types of English-medium instruction that have been adopted, and examines major constraints on this type of language provision.