Chinese examinees' English results rise significantly, approaching global average

The average score for Chinese test takers in the Test of English as a Foreign Language has significantly improved in the past decade, from 77 in 2010 to 87 in 2021, approaching the global average score of 88, according to a recent report.

The percentage of Chinese test takers with a TOEFL score above 100 had tripled in 2021 compared to 2009, the report said.

The report was released by the Center for China and Globalization and ETS on Wednesday and focuses on the cultivation of international talent in China.

In 2021, 24 provincial regions had an average TOEFL score of more than 80 points with eastern regions having higher international communication literacy.

In terms of comprehension indicators, since 2008 the reading scores of Chinese TOEFL test takers started to surpass the global average. Meanwhile, the difference between Chinese test takers' listening scores (22 points) and the global average (23 points) was reduced to 1 point in 2021.

When it comes to expression indicators, the gap between Chinese test takers and the global average has also narrowed.

The gap between Chinese TOEFL test takers' writing scores and speaking scores and the global average has steadily decreased, and so has the gap in analytical writing.

The report said that it is necessary to continue to strengthen stable educational exchanges and cooperation with the United States, the United Kingdom and countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. China should continue to encourage its students to study abroad and welcome foreign students to study in the country, it said.

Moreover, foreign languages can promote the growth of international talent and serve as the bridge for China's development. Therefore, the status of foreign languages in China's education system should remain the same and more efforts are required to promote foreign language education, the report said.

Wang Huiyao, president of CCG, said China is an important source of international education for many countries and regions, and a large number of Chinese students will choose to study abroad after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreover, attracting talent globally is important for China to innovate and develop, he said.

Fu Bo, deputy secretary-general of China Education Association for International Exchange, said under the current ever-changing and complex international landscape, countries must strengthen cooperation and attract global talent with more open policies.

Universities are the breeding ground for international talent. Therefore, it is important for talent at domestic universities to conduct exchanges with their foreign counterparts and international organizations, she said.