Reading English key to language learning

Chinese students need better guidance and tools to help them forge the ability of "reading to learn", educators from China and abroad said at a conference about the teaching of English held in Beijing on Friday. "Looking at my experience as an educator from America and a secondary school principal for a couple of years, we have a concept that every teacher in our building needs to be a teacher of reading," she said, adding that whether the class is art, science or English, the teacher should work to help students master the strategies of reading needed at that specific period of time. "The group is also the host of the nationally renowned 21st Century English Speaking Competition, which attracted more than 600,000 elementary school, secondary school and college students to participate last year," Qu said, adding that the group has more than 10 English publications for teachers and students from elementary school to college. The conference brought together educators from China and abroad to share views on important issues in English education, including Chinese students studying overseas, reforming the teaching of English and the importance of reading.