English education in China

Important moments for English learning in China over the past four decades:

1978: English became one of the subjects tested in the gaokao, the national college entrance exam, which resumed in 1977. English learning has gained in importance ever since.

1982: Follow Me!, a television program made by the BBC that provided a crash course in English learning, was broadcast on China Central Television and attracted large audiences. Viewers learned by following conversations and imitating pronunciation.