Three senior lecturers from the PLA Air Force Early Warning Academy have called for an overhaul of English teaching in China's military schools. They warn that current methods emphasize vocabulary, grammar, reading, and writing too much, while neglecting communication and presentation skills needed for international operations.
Three associate professors from the PLA Air Force Early Warning Academy—Li Yan, Dai Sishi, and Zhang Yong—made the call in an article published in the February edition of the official magazine Military-to-Civilian in China, administered by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.
The authors argue that English teaching in China's military schools is outdated and unbalanced. They state there is too much focus on vocabulary, grammar, reading, and writing, but not enough on communication and presentation. This approach means that while graduates can understand English-language military textbooks and terminology, they cannot speak naturally, write standardised tactical reports, or discuss technical matters.
The authors describe PLA English classes as following a model where “teachers talk and students listen”, resulting in low participation rates from students and a relative lack of discussion in the classroom. Specialised training in listening, speaking, and translation accounts for less than 20 per cent of the curriculum. In one military academy’s programme, reading documents occupies 60 per cent of the content, while practical matters—for example, the language skills needed to take part in joint exercises or discuss international regulations—only account for 15 per cent of the course.
The lecturers warn that troops are not being given the communication skills they need to operate on the international stage, referencing contexts like the Gulf of Aden and United Nations activities, though specifics are not detailed in the article.