The Development of China’s English Education Policy in Primary and Middle Schools Within the Framework of Language-In-Education Planning (From 1949 To 2023)

Abstract

With the burgeoning prevalence of the English language on a global scale, one of the central foci of language-in-education planning research lies in the escalating influence of English on the educational frameworks of virtually all nations worldwide. The intensifying forces of globalization and cultural diversity have contributed to an augmented need for individuals with exceptional levels of English proficiency. Faced with English's preeminence in contemporary society, governments have recognized the critical importance of English instruction in primary and middle schools as a composition of their language-in-education planning. The paper highlights China's English education policy in elementary and secondary schools during the last 50 years. and points out that the evolution of primary and middle school English education has been a process of constant adjusting and modification under the impact of different elements, including national politics, the economy, diplomacy, and society. Based on the characteristics and problems of foreign language education in China today, this paper proposes that policy formulation should increase the participation of local levels, the scope and the depth of the policy content and should also strengthen the supervision and support of policy implementation.