The fate of English in China’s college entrance examination

A report revealing the reduced role of the English test in Beijing's college entrance examination has drawn much public attention. Starting from 2016, The English test score will be reduced from 150 to 100, and the students will also be allowed to take two exams a year and pick the best result for their college admission, according to a report on the website of China's Communist Party newspaper Guangming Daily on Oct 21. There have also been numerous reports from other provinces in China. For example, there is a rumor that the English test will be phased out of the entrance exam system in eastern China's Jiangsu province, while other provinces or municipalities, such as Shanghai and Hubei, will not make any major changes. Any possible change in the exam provokes much heed and debate. In an online survey carried out by China's popular portal, Sina, 72.5% of people favor reducing the weighting of English in the entrance exam, 22.6% are against it, while 4.9% are undecided (as of Oct. 22). Putting divided opinions aside, the attention the news has attracted demonstrates the Chinese love - hate relationship with learning English and the Gaokao, or the National College Entrance Examination.