Mixed grades for decision to push back English classes in Beijing_美文

Mixed grades for decision to push back English classes in Beijing

"First- and second-graders in Beijing only have two English classes a week and I don't believe my daughter learns much from them," she said. "If parents expect their children to learn more, they can teach their children English at home, if they're able to do that. Or they can sign their children up for (extracurricular) English classes."

An English-language teacher at a primary school in Beijing, who asked to be identified only as Zhang, agreed with the decision, saying that children aren't able to handle English classes at such a young age.

"It's difficult for first-graders to learn English. They often mix the English alphabet with Chinese pinyin," said the teacher, who has been teaching English to first- and second-graders for three years. "I think it will be much easier for students to start learning English in the third grade."

She said she believes students will be relieved that they won't have English classes during their first two years.

Chu Zhaohui, a senior researcher at the National Institute of Education Sciences, said schools should not force English classes on young students, but the decision should be left to individual primary schools.

He added that starting English later will not put children behind the learning curve.

"Teaching English in grades one and two is usually not effective because students that age absorb little of what they learn," he said. "From the third grade through high school, students have plenty of time to learn English."