Wang Yuanyuan

    A kindergarten in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, launched an eight-day winter camp to Australia, aimed at improving students’ English skills. The youngest students were 2 years old and the oldest were 6 years old.

    More than 10 families applied for the program which costs 50,000 yuan. Children could have classes at local kindergartens and on their days off could accompany their parents to learn farming skills.

    “I think it is a great program because English is very important to children’s futures. We want him to be in the best possible environment to learn English,” said Li Kexin, a mother who had applied for the program.

    “My husband and I cannot speak English, so I applied for an English course that could help me teach my son. He is now 3 years old and can communicate with his foreign teacher at the kindergarten, but one of his classmates who is half a year younger knows much more English words than him,” Li said.

    According to a Chinese report, an increasing number of parents, particularly those who plan to send their children abroad, are now sending their very young children to join the program.     

    However, doubts have been raised as many netizens and experts thought it was unnecessary for children at such a young age to go abroad to learn English.

    “It looks nice for children to receive regular and professional English training in kindergarten, but what can they really learn at such a young age on such an expensive and short overseas program?” said a netizen, identified by his online name “Lin L Lico.”

    “Lin L Lico” thought the parents were only aware of the importance of learning English, but did not know much about learning languages, so were easy targets for the salespeople.

    Education experts also disapproved of the program. “Children aged 2 and 3 have limited observation, self-management and absorption abilities. It will also affect their physical and mental health when traveling in a strange country with completely different climate and environment,” said Liu Xiao-ting, child psychologist and early education expert.

    “At that age, education should focus on mother language learning and socialization. It is more important for them to learn about their own country first,” he said.