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Praise Idleness@sh.itjust.works to 196@lemmy.blahaj.zone – 515 points –
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Can someone translate the rest?

Tom: How can I get to the toilet?

You: Can you speak Chinese?

Tom: Yes of course

You: 那我們說中文吧 "Then let's speak in Chinese"

Tom: 好的,沒問題 "Okay, no prob"

You: 前面右轉直走100米就到了 "Turn right then walk 100m and you'll arrive"

Now that teaching English is being phased out in China, this is the correct answer

Really, any reason in particular for this change?

Geopolitics. Learning English was always forbidden behind the Iron Curtain. You may argue that it does not exist anymore but how do you explain this?
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I mean, that's just demonstratively wrong. I've got plenty to criticize about China, but I personally know multiple people who got offers to teach English over there with a very, very basic understanding of Chinese

They most certainly prize speaking English without an accent... I'm not saying it's a good deal, but they most certainly encourage the program

I'd explain it by saying they're attempting to "rebuild pride in their Chinese heritage". After years of Western culture being equated with prosperity, they're pushing to build a new national identity more convenient for them

Many countries have efforts to try to preserve their culture against American media - like France limits the amount of English songs on the radio. They still teach people English aggressively in schools - it's the primary language of trade and technology

The PRC just wants it both ways. They want the advantages of globalization and speaking the international language, but they want it to be culturally stigmatized too

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