An English test has long been part of the admission process for universities in China. Applicants to the top universities, however, are no longer required to take this linguistic entrance exam. More focus is being placed on mathematics and physics exams for science and engineering applicants whilst mathematics and Chinese are the requirements for arts students. The reason behind the removal of the English test is to allow students who excel in their field to be given the fullest opportunity to study their chosen subjects, as well as to relieve some of the pressure from their workload for the notoriously pressurized entrance examination process.

Japan Considers the TOEFL

Japan, on the other hand, is embracing the English language with plans to replace the existing English language examination system with a TOEFL exam as part of the screening process for universities across Japan. TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language which was developed by a non-profit organization in the US, ETS (Educational Testing System); it’s widely used throughout the US to test the English proficiency level of non-native English speakers before allowing entrance to many colleges and universities, businesses, government agencies and other institutions. The current examination for university applicants in Japan is heavily based on rote learning and grammar which has been widely criticized. English language tests will also be required for government officials from 2015, and both of these measures are part of the Prime Minister’s improved education initiative.

Two Far Eastern countries with two changing attitudes towards the English language as far as their universities’ admissions are concerned. What changing attitudes have you noticed towards the English language and what effects are they having?