英语教育教学论文.doc

The Implication of English Globalization and Localization to English Teaching in China1 IntroductionEnglish 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 Chinas 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 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 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 peoples 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 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 peoples daily life. Based on high technology and fast labor development, the communication of the whole world and peoples activities surpass the boundary of different regions. “As for language, English has become an established 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. But the importance of mingling Chinese cultures with English is ignored”(41). One can only display his English talents in exam or other aspects which are totally opposed to a communicative tool rooted in English. A.Kirkpatrick discusses English with Chinese characteristics in different levels. In 2005, Hu Xiaoqing reckoned that many English teachers were tolerant to English with Chinese characteristics. Most Chinese English learners not only want to know more about foreign cultures but also English with Chinese characteristics, because they want to let people know they are Chinese. Niu Qiang and Martin Wolff aimed at the policies of English teaching in China, and they paid much attention to how many benefits can be got for Chinese learning English. It is certain that Languages and cultures can not be separated. It is not the terminal goal to learn English and cultures by completely changing. So the two scholars (Niu Qiang and Martin Wolff) think that if English can be used efficiently in both China and abroad, who will blame it? Therefore, in English teaching, the teachers need to disseminate English with Chinese characteristics and explore teaching materials close to students daily life, which express western cultures as well as Chinese cultures and values, just as it is that many foreign people add their own cultures to Chinese while learning Chinese. A number of new words are constantly brought into Chinese, like sofa, coffee, show, cool and so on. These cultures are widely used in China. Even the greeting style has changed into “hi” and “hello”. Therefore English should be changed to adjust Chinas situation.3 The Application of English Globalization and Localization to English Teaching in China Since English globalization and localization have given great impact on English teaching in China, it is necessary to apply it to English teaching. Proper application will benefit a lot to both English teachers and students in practice.3.1 Teaching AimEnglish is one of the main subjects for students of every stage in China. A child will be praised highly if he can speak English as early as he can, which proves he is a genius in language ability. Besides, students who want to pass all kinds of entrance examinations must take English exam. The fact that learning English is to pass exam is not admitted but truly exists. However, these are all superficial values; English is not only for passing exam. English may have its advantages at least in two sides, one is for intercultural communication, and the other is for daily use in China. Moreover, a language is an identity which can express who you are. Last but not least, learning English is not to change one into a total foreigner but to introduce Chinese cultures to the whole world. Therefore, English teaching in China is better to make some changes according to globalization and localization.3.1.1 CommunicationEnglish globalization promotes the development of English. In the past few years, the aim of English teaching has already been shifted from stressing on language ability to communication. However, most teachers still encourage students to do more written exercises than speaking and listening activities. Students can not stride over the barrier of studying for an examination, which causes an inevitable phenomenon that students prefer doing exercises to communicating with others. Communicative forms are no more than listening and speaking, so “open your mouth” is no doubt a good way to practice English. As for English teaching, to communicate in a real situation is an efficient way to master English. But it only exists in books and exams not in daily life. Most of the situations created are not fit for the usage of Chinese students daily life. For example, the usual greeting form is to talk about weather, which is not Chinese custom. Certainly, learning a language needs to absorb the cultures, but it should not depart far away from current situation. It is necessary to combine both the abroad cultures and local cultures together. Only in this way can English be widely used in China as well as abroad. A joke shows a terrible fact of the separation of situation and communication, which reflects the mechanical teaching and learning. A little boy was hit by a foreigner with a bike badly. When the foreigner asked him “how are you”, he answered “I am fine, thank you. And you?” Maybe every pupil can recite the simple conversation, while who can guarantee they will not make such satirical mistakes. It is a big problem for Chinese English learners to use the knowledge about communication in real situation in books properly. In fact, some students greet to their foreign teachers by saying “have you had your dinner?” “Where are you going?” which seems not adjust to the custom of English but can be understood and tolerant. It is rational for foreign teachers to answer such questions, for it happens in China.At present, many teachers encourage their students to know more about foreign cultures while they ignore the significance of Chinese cultures in English teaching. Great attention is paid to western cultures, while Chinese local cultures just make up of a tiny part. However, communication is a process of two-sides not one-side, which means either absorbing or delivering can not be omitted.3.1.2 ValuesLanguage reflects the values of a person. “You are what you speak” ( Li Shaohua 11). If you want to tell others where you come from, what nationality you are, what social position you are in, you may show your identity card, but the most direct way is what language you speak. A language with typical characters can show all the following messages: nationality, identity, occupation, and even value. That is why American prefer their own American English. They are proud of their language and being American. It is easy to distinct the difference between British English and American English. English globalization and localization make it happen so that English is altered and enriched. People use English in different way in intercultural communication. English modifications caused by English localization are beneficial to international communication. On the one hand, it can tell the speakers nationality and identity. On the other hand, it can guarantee the intelligibility between each other. The former ambassador of Singapore in the United Nations, T.T.B.Kon said that he hoped to be easily recognized as a Singaporean by his fellow countrymen while talking (Zhuyue 34).This sentence reflects the acceptance of English localization in Singapore. Although the English he holds may be not so standard as British English or American English, he can be understood and recognized, which expresses his confidence and proud of being Singaporean. So it is safe to say that speaking English can not make you a complete foreigner but still yourself.3.1.3 The Function of CultureIt is well known that language and cultures are interrelated, so language plays a big role in delivering cultures. English globalization and locali