An Obstacle or a Useful Tool? The Role of the English Language in Internationalizing Chinese Universities

Abstract

Knowledge of foreign languages often has been considered an important indicator of internationalization of higher education. In modern Chinese history, foreign language learning has been one of the basic means for China’s survival. This research first looks at the status of English as a global language, with increasing separation from imperialist culture. Based on an empirical study, it then reports Chinese response to English global language and reviews the implications of the dominance of English for internationalization of Chinese higher education. It argues that foreign language learning in China reflects China’s history, perceptions of international scholarly relations, and assessment of the world situation. It shows that the disparity in importance attached to the most influential foreign languages by Chinese academics corresponds to the current influence of countries speaking those languages and hence to the unbalanced geographical foci of China’s university internationalization.