However, Chinese students who want to come to the universities in the UK to study have to meet the entry requirements
of English language. The standards are set through the IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
examination and students have to be able to demonstrate their competence through this assessment procedure. The level
required depends upon the course to be taken, with IELTS scores needing to be higher for those undertaking masters
level degrees.
English is a compulsory subject in high schools and universities under the order of the Ministry of Education from the
founding of New China in 1949, after the economic reform and opening of China in 1978 and 1979, the learning of
English has become fashionable in China (He Qixin). However, the shortage of an environment which enables effective
practice in English to be provided has an impact upon the pace at which students can become confident or competent.
Chinese students learn English as a kind of knowledge instead of a tool. Thus, generally speaking, most of Chinese
students’ English is still in a lower stage.
Nowadays, in China, numerous English language training centers all over the country, either individual or affiliated
with universities or other institutions of learning, are offering a great variety of English courses for people from all
walks of life (He Qixin), including a plenty of English training schools which aim to help Chinese students to ensure
that they can reach the required standards for academic purposes of the universities in the UK. Same to China, various
English language training centers appeared in the UK and, at the same time, the universities in the UK provide similar
English training courses to help international students to improve their English in order to meet the entry requirements
of the universities in a short time.