Many English learners in China tend to find all kinds of excuses when they have difficulties in their studies. My teaching experience in China has shown me that the lack of an English-speaking environment and the lack of native speakers are at the top of the list of excuses. These are particularly singled out for blame for the low levels of oral proficiency.

Students learning English at Beijing New Oriental School.

One of the most convincing excuses seems to be the one about no proper environment. That leaves the questions: how much does the environment influence our study of English, and can we ultimately learn English well in undesirable conditions? You do have to admit that if you don't speak English at work or at home, and you rarely have any opportunities to communicate with foreigners, it does pose problems. And, we can not deny the fact that if you have the opportunity to live abroad for a few years, your English should improve quicker.

Still, conditions for English study have improved immensely over the past 20 years. Compared with the situation in the early 1980s, when tape-recorders were rarely seen, there is easier access to English study and more opportunities to use English.

Also, not everyone going overseas learns to speak English well. Many Chinese can't speak it or speak very little of it. Why? Because they don't read English papers; they don't watch English TV; they simply don't actively use English. Obviously, favourable conditions don't automatically give one the skills.

Another important point is that an environment with sufficient pressure is needed. This is true everywhere. And, the greater the pressure, the better the results. The reason English majors learn English better than non-majors in China is not because they have better books and better teachers but mainly because they are under much greater pressure. They have to pass some very tough exams.

What English learners should do is not complain or try to find excuses but create an environment where they not only study English but also give themselves enough pressure - including setting goals or trying to pass an exam. To make that happen they have to push themselves harder.

The lack of foreign teachers is a big concern of English learners in China. But, for some it's a fashion. If we look a bit closer we find that English learners are confused on this issue. Many believe that they have to have a foreign teacher or they won't have a chance to learn English well.

Others are enthusiastic initially in a class taught by a native speaker but get disappointed later. They expected more but achieved little. They are still unable to speak English well after a year or so of study with foreign teachers and that is not what they expected.

We have to admit that learning English with native speakers is a major part of the whole learning process. No matter what we hear from a native speaker it is no doubt idiomatic English, whereas local teachers often can't provide that.

While we emphasize the importance of a native speaker's involvement in education, we shouldn't forget that original books and tapes are also "foreign teachers." And, they are everywhere. Actually to become a good English speaker, you don't need a native speaker.

Larry Gao is an Australian Chinese teaching at a foreign language school in Changchun.

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