ABSTRACT
This chapter explores ‘the roles of language policies in the social construction of national cultural identities, and the relationship between language, culture, and identity’ in the Chinese context and addresses two questions: Is there a legitimate variety of English in China? Is learning English a benefit or a danger for China? Y. Guo and G. H. Beckett express their concern that the idolization of ‘Anglocentric culture in the name of authenticity’ marginalises local Chinese culture. They argue the importance of implementing critical multiculturalism and multilingualism to reclaim local knowledge and culture within English language teaching in the Chinese context. On the one hand, English is generally regarded as a useful tool for many Chinese people, as it is ‘crucial to China’s modernisation and increasing participation in globalised cultural, economic and political activities’. On the other hand, some may worry that an overwhelming invasion of English could undermine Chinese culture and identity.
