Beijing to stop teaching English in first 2 grades  

北京明年小学一二年级不再开设英语课

从下一个学年开始，新的小学一年级新生将不用再上英语课，今后北京将从小学三年级开始“零起点”开设外语课。不过，目前小学一二年级已经开设英语课程的，不会叫停。昨日，北京市教委提出“进一步改进中小学英语教学”的三项措施。[查看全文]

(ECNS) – Primary schools in Beijing will not offer English classes to pupils in first and second grade starting next school year, according to the Beijing News.

The Beijing Municipal Education Commission put forward measures Tuesday to improve English language education in primary and secondary schools, including cutting the class for the first two years, and making English tests easier on college entrance exams.

Many parents showed their support for reducing children's burden by cutting the course, but also worried the move will make their kids fall behind in their English.

A man surnamed Li, whose daughter is in first grade, said he would find a cram school for his daughter if English was cut. "It's not for tests. English is a language that kids should master for their future."

Beijing has cut the English portion on the college entrance examination from 150 to 100, and for high school, from 120 to 100.