Exactly how important is English?

English is practically necessary for anyone who wishes to rise above the massive crowd that is the Chinese people. What many of the people want is to escape rural China and its backwardness. The only way is to get into college. We know that English is tested on the College Entrance Examination, but how about after that? The struggle to succeed does not end with admission to a college. There is yet another test that can determine one's fate: The CET (College English Test). Many Colleges now require students to pass this exam before they can obtain their Bachelor's Degree. Furthermore, many companies now require CET certification from job applicants. Clearly, the student needs English in order to have options.


Obviously, English is being learned so that the Chinese people can become a part of the larger world around them. The story of Li Yang is one that shows how far people are willing to go in order to learn English. Li Yang is an English teacher with his own company: Li Yang Crazy English. He has become a rock star in China due to his flamboyant style and methods of teaching English. One of his trademarks is shouting. He says that shouting "releases the international muscles". It's this kind of teaching that drives people into hysterics. While experts are still divided as to whether Li Yang's methods actually teach English effectively, one thing is clear. The people of China regard english as more than a language. It represents the possibilities of life. English can get you a job, help you jump from obscurity in a village to wealth and status, or even attract a partner. English is a way for a Chinese person to rise above the crowd. For the students in the countryside, it could very well be one of the few ways to leave their villages.