Ethical Analysis on Commodification of Tutoring of English Language in China

Abstract

English language acquisition is of crucial importance in Chinese learners' schooling, employment and even their career development. However, the present English language classrooms in China cannot meet English learners' and parents' demands for English acquisition, and commodification of tutoring of English language is gradually becoming a trend. Based on the previous research, this paper attempts to analyze the phenomenon of commodification of tutoring of English language in China from the perspectives of ethics of care, justice and profession. It finds out that the commodification of English language tutoring has caused much pressure and anxiety on English learners and their parents, which is not only detrimental to the learners’ physical and mental health, but also a waste of valuable time. This paper also argues that English as a second language should serve for the best interests of learners. We must focus on the development of learners’ communicative ability and cross-culture competence, rather than their performance in exams. Therefore, the administration must take the overall situation into consideration and take effective measures: increase education investment, establish mechanism to promote educational equity, optimize the admission test system, and promote the reform of academic evaluation, so as to fundamentally overcome the utilitarian tendency of English language tutoring.