The Implication of English Globalization and Localization to English Teaching in China论文

The Implication of English Globalization and Localization to

English Teaching in China

1 Introduction

English plays a significant role in global stage and presents its features in many regions. Therefore, English globalization and localization turn up. It is worth paying attention to the phenomenon. “English globalization provides a flat for various cultures to communicate. Because of high technology development, the world has come into the time of internet, which causes English globalization. English becomes an international language”(Li Wenzhong 19). Due to the wide spread of English in various regions, English localization appears. “English localization is the reborn of English. It is the product that English and other languages combine and change. The spread of English in the world has proved that English must experience some changes in various regions. And it will root it the area as a new form”(Li Ting 39).

At present, more and more people desire to learn English and master it. Under English globalization and localization, the significance of English has become more prominent than it is ever before. There are the most English learners existing in China. With China?s fast development, it has set a high and steady situation in global stage. English is taken as a stepping stone by lots of Chinese English learners. However, English teaching in China is one of the most

1

disputed topics in teaching practice. What kind of English is fit for Chinese English learners? What influence is caused by English globalization and localization on English teaching in China? Therefore, it is meaningful to study English teaching in China from a new angle of English globalization and localization. It can be easily accepted that English must be changed in some aspects when it spreads everywhere in the world, which should not be ignored but paid close attention to. Nowadays, most English learners want to be “English native speakers”. It seems that only in this way can they really master English; meanwhile, it is English globalization that encourages English learners to be “foreigners”, not themselves. In China, should Chinese speak English with “foreign flavor”? What kind of English talents should on earth be fostered? That deep implication to English teaching in China through English globalization and localization presents may expose some problems hiding in English teaching. As a result, English globalization and localization can be used to guide English teaching so that a better teaching effect can be achieved.

High technology, convenient transportation and close communication make the whole world a “small” village. To a large extent, English plays an significant role in worldwide communication and brings various countries together, which causes those non-English speaking countries losing many chances to join the world. That is to say, the chances hiding behind English are waiting for people to explore. Under the globalization, there is no doubt that English has already become international language which belongs to the whole

2

world. Not only does English play a very important role, but it is the most significant language of the five official languages in the United Nations, and many other international and local institutions also take English as the only working language. Moreover, English is the main carrier of advanced science and technology, the main language of world media and the main medium of education, “so English globalization will not follow people?s will” (Li Shaohua 3).

The consequence of English globalization is English localization, every language is used to present the reality, transmit information and deliver cultures. However, different countries have different reality, information and cultures. Various cultures have mingled with English, which can not be avoided and should not be avoided. Each country has its own English of distinguished features, so does China.

China is a country with such colourful cultures, which other countries do not have. There is no exact expression form in English, either. So English in China is inevitably blended with Chinese features. As for English teaching in China, some teachers enjoy excessively approaching the cultures of English -speaking countries, but giving up Chinese own cultures. As a result, linguistic poverty appears. When they talk about Chinese cultures, they can not express their thoughts exactly in English. At last, they have to use Chinese to explain English texts. English as an international language at least brings two enlightenments. Firstly, the spreading of English must experience a process of

3

taking off some original cultures and meanwhile implanting some new cultures. Secondly, English must keep its intelligibility all over the world.

English globalization and localization has pushed English teaching into a high level, which causes more attention. English globalization has no doubt brought people great benefits, but it may also threaten other languages so that many local original cultures fade. Therefore, English localization should weigh equally to English globalization to avoid language threatening and cultures losing. Since English globalization and localization play such a significant role, it is not hard to find that English teaching in China more or less gets some implication. For English teaching in China, there exists a lot of typical problems, such as, the separation of situation and communication, the insufficiency of Chinese local cultures in contents and the negligence of learners? emotion and learning efficiency. To some extent, such situation is due to the failure to English globalization and localization. Therefore, English teaching in China needs to take account of English globalization and localization, which may advance English teaching and solve some typical teaching problems.

2 Literature review

“Globalization” has increasingly become a high-frequency word in people?s daily life. Based on high technology and fast labor development, the communication of the whole world and people?s activities surpass the boundary of different regions. “As for language, English has become an established

4

international language. Someone ever compared English to a mystery lamp. When people open it, a door to international business, science and technology is open” (Wang Pujun 2003:16). “In the early 1900s, the expansion of England laid a solid foundation for English becoming an international language. In the middle of the 20s, America played a chief role in the world economy and cultures, which advanced English development again” (Granddol 1997:8). According to the statistics examined by English famous scholar David Crystal, “There are 57 countries taking English as the first language, the number is 0.45 billion; 67 countries take English as the second language, the number is 0.35 billion” (56).

In the 80s? of last century, all kinds of English modifications turned up. International academic scholars began to focus on English globalization and localization, especially in China. China turned to a new way of reforming and opening to the outside world. Most Chinese people are longing for going to the outside world. English is a great help to knock at the door, because English has become a designed language which not only present others in front of you but let you be known. “It is reported that more than 30 papers have been published in ?world Englishes? and English today?” (Li Shaohua 2006:27). It proves that a paper written in English can be better presented in front of the whole world. The earliest document about English localization in China was written by Kachru, “?The Other Tongue: English across Cultures?, which introduced English varieties to China. The authorities in education field call on the learners to perfect their pronunciation and get to know English-speaking countries? cultures.

5