CHINA VS. ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Communication is the activity of transmitting information. Lafayette College (2012) estimates that there are about 6,500 living languages in the world, and Mydans, Seth (2007) state that in terms of globalization, business, and technology, English is the most common language worldwide. According to the Graddol, David (2006), an estimate of 2 billion students worldwide were studying English in 2010. English is actually considered the official global language; it is the official language spoken by the world’s dominant economy, the United States, many commonwealth countries, multinational firms, top universities, and the scientific community.

In 2005, the consulting group McKinsey warned China because less than 10 percent of its college graduates did not have the prerequisites to get a job in multinational corporations, primarily because they could not speak English. As we know, China’s economy and industry is growing by leaps and bounds. According to Economy Watch (2010, June 30), the country is ranked second by their nominal GDP, and although the country seems to be in its best moment, the communication barrier will be an obstacle that could slow down the growth process in the near future. China needs to increase its English speaking population in order to keep its economy growth rate, to improve the education and quality of life of the next generation, and to increase and enhance the tourism sector of the country.
According to Eurasian Group (2012), China has the second largest economy in the world with growth rates averaging 10% over the past 30 years. The country is going through one of it best periods, having a GDP of 5.9 trillions listed by the World Bank (2010), it is forecasted to increase, even to place first above the United States. As mentioned by Graddol, David (2006) in his book English Next, globalization allows companies to locate each of their activities wherever in the world provide the best-cost advantage. The ideal global business plan is the one in which products can be manufactured in countries where labor is cheap and sold into markets where people are rich. T China has been offering this service for a while, forcing it to communicate more and more with the outside world. Moreover, the free trading system has expanded the economic relations of China with its trade partners, unbroken by many of trade barriers. Every day, more companies and entrepreneurs are interested to invest in the country. But this growth will be possible only if China educates its population, making them qualified and fluent English speakers, able to assume this evolution. As mentioned by Ginger Software (2011, January 9), in this atmosphere, English language is required in order to join, communicate and compete in the international market.

China is now facing some challenges in technological developments for its industry. It is still uncertain if China will be able to develop a domestic technological proficiency to support its capacity to be competitive in the world’s market. According to Ministry of Science and Technology (2000), a Chinese firm can only be register or certified as high-tech only if it meets the following requirements: at least 30% of its employees have college or higher level education, more than 10% of its sales is spent on R&D, and more than 60% of its sales is related to technology services and high-tech products.

The French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (2004) stated that Chinese firms are having a lot of difficulties in reaching sophistication in technology, because the lack information, they are facing the price wars and the patent infringements.
In terms of information, according to Mydans, Seth (2007, April 9), 80% the world's electronically stored information is in English. This percent includes the world R&D data, narrowing the number of people that will be able to use it. The necessity of English as a second language for the Chinese population is clearly stated in all this points; it will be a requisite for the continued growth of the technologic industry and its workers.

Another major concern in China is the quality of life of the Chinese population. According Chong, Wang (2010, July 14), China has improved its ranking from 116th in 2006 to 97th in 2010 among 194 countries. The 97th place still shows how Chinese people spend most of their life working to be able to afford basic things like housing expenses and healthcare; because leisure is most of the Chinese people plans, their budget is too short, and these people have become accustomed to living with the minimum.

Jing, Fu (2008, August 28) affirmed that in China there are 21.48 million rural poor still facing food and clothing shortages, and there still are 35.5 million low-income earners. The poor account for 6 percent of the population in rural areas and 13.7 percent in the western regions and the number for absolute poverty would be around 100 million if the World Bank parameter of $1 a day is taken into account.

The National People's Congress has been showing their concern about the Chinese community and has been looking for some solutions. Zheng, a member of China's parliament, is aware about the big difference the concept of a decent living has had during the last decade. She said it is not enough just having food, clothing, and shelter; now China needs at least basic education. As mentioned in a Jing, Fu (2008, August 28) article, Zheng said "Social gains will come in the long run: we have made the poor potential human capital, and they will now contribute to society, making society more stable. We need to accelerate this process to realize social harmony." The Chinese government knows that a higher level of education, that for clear reasons must include English Language, will be the only way to solve this issue.

According to the Chinese government, “in the next five years, every employee younger than 40 will be require to speak a minimum of 1,000 English phrases; likewise, most schools will be required to start teaching English since kindergarten”. Introducing English as a second language in kids has been in most parents’ minds as well. “An estimate of 140,000 farmers are leaving their lands, migrating to the city in order to find better futures for their kids”. Bilingual schools are hard to afford, so both parents need to have a job and leave the children with their grandparents.

English benefits for children are well recognized in today’s society. According to Adams, Jonathan (2007, August 15), a medium proficiency in this language could increase the child’s salary by 25 percent when he or she is introduced to the job market. On the other hand, an advanced proficiency could increase it by more than 70 percent.

Based on these numbers, the Chinese society should be preparing its next generations to face the economical opportunities, they can take advantage and give them the right tools and education to succeed in this global economy where China is a main player.

The Chinese Tourism industry has been increasing during the last 20 years. “China has become the world's third-largest tourist destination, receiving 135 million inbound travellers last year”, affirmed by The Economic Times (2012). These tourists are coming from everywhere, speaking different languages, but when they need to communicate, English is the only language they can use. To get directions, get a taxicab, or purchase something can be a nightmare if a traveler don not have enough skills with body language, because verbally is a huge challenge to find someone able to speak English. Based on my own experience, Shanghai has more English speaking population, but even so, it still frustrating to communicate. The young people are the ones that rarely can communicate with foreign people, because as said before, they have been beneficiated by the English classes the Chinese government is implementing in most schools, but it is not still enough. The tourism industry in China is well developed; there are enormous hotels, tours, places, recreation shows, and even one of the world wonders, but in terms of communication the country show the big problems it is having with the education. This issue cannot only change the perspective of a visitor, but also can decrease the income of the tourism in the country in a near future.

As it was summarized and explain above, communication for every country with the outside world is a key to the economical success and development of its society. It helps local industries to expand its barriers and reach international markets. China has been able to manage this communication in its initial phase within the last several years. However, at this point the Chinese economy is demanding for more professionals fluent in English to deal with the multinational corporations that want to do business with the country.

Every businessman is looking for a way to reduce cost and apply the economy of scale to its business. The most common way to do it in this era is to outsource the production to China or other low cost labor country. So, the Chinese population needs to be able to communicate with prospective clients in order to obtain new businesses. But, more than that China is now an attractive market to any foreign corporation that wants to introduces its products to new markets. A good example for this is Apple Computers, which start dealing with China to outsource the manufacturing of its electronic devices. However, lately they have been working hard to get into the Chinese market and introduce its products. One of them, the famous iPhone, has been a huge success, helping the company to increase its profits in the last few months,

What happens if thousands of small, medium and large corporations mimic the Apple model, and China is able to eliminate the language barrier?

China needs to put it last effort by increasing the education budget. English teachers, programs, textbooks and seminaries will be necessary to introduce in the country in order to reach the required level of English in the Chinese population. China is on its last growing lap; the country has exceeded lots of barriers in order to reach the economy they are now enjoying. A bigger percent of English speaking population will not only be helpful to increase business with outside companies, but also will help to improve the Chinese quality of life. Professionals and students with English skills will be necessaries in order to adapt and dominate new world technologies and business concepts. Is one more goal, and a whole country will enjoy of years of sacrifice.

References

Adams, Jonathan (2007, August 15). English for Everyone. Retrieved May 11, 2012, from http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2007/08/15/english-for-everyone.html

Chong, Wang (2010, July 14). Poor quality of life for China's population. Retrieved May 5, 2012, from http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2010-07/14/content_20496961.htm

EconomyWatch (2010, June 30). The World’s Largest Economies. Retrieved May 3, 2012, from http://www.economywatch.com/economies-in-top/?page=full

Eurasian Group (2012). People's Republic of China. Retreieved May 11, 2012, from http://www.eurasiangroup.org/China.php

Ginger Software (2011, January 9). Business English – Why Is It Important Today?. Retrieved May 3, 2012, from http://www.gingersoftware.com/blog/business_english/

Graddol, David (2006). English Next: Why global English may mean the end of ‘English as a Foreign Language’ [Electronic version]. British Council. 34-35.

Ginger Software (2011, January 9). Business English – Why Is It Important Today?. Retrieved May 3, 2012, from http://www.gingersoftware.com/blog/business_english

Jing, Fu (2008, August 28). Chinese see dramatic rise in quality of life. Retrieved May 5, 2012, from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08/28/content_6976634.htm

Lafayette College (2012) Foreign Language and Literatures Resource Center. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://sites.lafayette.edu/fllrc/about/self-directed-language-study

Ministry of Science and Technology (2000). Conditions and Methods of Certifying High- and New-Technology Enterprises in National High- and New-Tech Industrial Development Zones. 78-79. Mydans, Seth (2007, April 9). Across cultures, English is the word. Retrieved May 5, 2012, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/world/asia/09iht-englede.1.5198685.html?pagewanted=all

The French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (2004). Challenges for Technological Development in China’s Industry. Retrieved May 4, 2012, from http://www.cefc.com.hk/pccpa.php?aid=1948

Ward, Calrissa (2010, November 15). Ganbei!! China Embraces English Language. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from http://abcnews.go.com/WN/China/china-pushes-english-language/story?id=12154435#.T613rO2sxUQ

World Bank (2010). China GDP. Retrieved May 12,2012, from http://search.worldbank.org/all?qterm=CHINA%20GDP