China is the most populated country in the world. With a population of 1.4 billion. Of that, around 82 million people can speak English, which is 6% of the population. More than 10 million population is pro-efficient in English.
More than 10 million people in China speak English. The English language is prevalent in urban areas such as Hong Kong. Apart from English, Portuguese is also a popular language in China. It is the official language in Macau.
For decades, English has been a compulsory subject in Chinese schools alongside Chinese and math. But there are growing calls for this status to be rolled back.
Can you live in China if you don't speak Mandarin Chinese? Yes, you definitely can. In fact, the vast majority of foreigners I know living in China are unable to speak basic Mandarin. An inability to speak the language will create more challenges in smaller cities and remote areas.
These examples show that in many daily life situations you can get by with English in Beijing, especially if you stick close to the expat areas. Still, you are in China and should not expect Chinese people to be able to speak English. Learning at least some basic Mandarin goes a long way in making daily life easier.
"Although Chinese people are proud of their own culture and language, they are generally willing to learn about Western cultures and languages." English is a compulsory subject in China's standard national curriculum.
It is estimated that it takes 4 times longer for a native English speaker to become proficient in Chinese than it does to reach a similar level in French or Spanish. Therefore, it would seem that, for the next generation at least, Mandarin will not replace English as the global language.
To work in China, you'll need a Z visa and an official invitation to the country by an employer. You can apply for a Z visa at your local Chinese embassy. For stays of any length, you must register with the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 24 hours of arrival.
China's first contact with the English language occurred between Chinese and English traders, and the first missionary schools to teach English were established in Macau in the 1630s. Between 1911 and 1949, English was popular, it was taught in missionary schools and thirteen Christian colleges.
Background. English is one of two official languages in Hong Kong – the other being Chinese (Cantonese) – and is used in academia, business and the courts, as well as in most government materials.
The United States and India have the most total English speakers, with 306 million and 265 million, respectively. These are followed by Pakistan (104 million), the United Kingdom (68 million), and Nigeria (60 million). As of 2022, there were about 373 million native speakers of English.
Some of the most common types of jobs in China include manufacturing and assembly line jobs, technology-related jobs such as software engineering and web development, and finance-related jobs such as accounting and investment banking.
With a permanent residency, a foreigner is allowed to live and work in China without any restriction – they do not need to apply for other residence and work permits, nor do they need additional visas to enter and exit China.
Maximum and minimum salary range
The average salary in China ranges from 7,410 Yuan per month (USD 1,066) to 131,000 Yuan (USD 18,842) per month — with 7,410 Yuan being the minimum salary and 131,100 Yuan being the maximum salary.
Across multiple sources, Mandarin Chinese is the number one language listed as the most challenging to learn. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center puts Mandarin in Category IV, which is the list of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers.
The number of Chinese speakers online is estimated at 888.4 million, which has risen an astounding 2600% over the same time period. The Chinese language is catching up quickly and is set to overtake English in the near future.
Mandarin (1,118 million speakers)
However, it's the most spoken language in the world if you count only first-language (native) speakers due to China's significant population. Mandarin is not actually a language, but a set of dialects of the Chinese language.
Chinese people face unique issues in learning the English language. One major reason is the basic lack of practice and exposure. However, even when stepping out into a Chinese-speaking world, there are ways to improve listening and speaking skills without going to an English-speaking country.
The sound system of English is very different from the sound systems of the various Chinese languages, so Chinese learners of English may have particular difficulties with pronunciation.
This means on average a Chinese parent is paying RMB125 (US$20) for a 25-minute lesson. A 6-unit package usually lasts for 6 months.
Although the 1982 constitution guarantees freedom of speech, the Chinese government often uses the "subversion of state power" and "protection of state secrets" clauses in their law system to imprison those who criticize the government.
In short, you can rest assured that a trip to China does not require you to speak Chinese. It is possible to get around China sometimes using only English and most certainly using voice translation apps on your phone or Mandarin phrasebooks.
The figure of the total English learners/users in China has been estimated to be somewhere between 200 and 350 million (cf. Bolton, 2003: 48; Kachru, 1997; McArthur, 2003; Zhao & Campbell, 1995; Graddol, 2006: 95).
The 996 working hour system (Chinese: 996工作制) is a work schedule practiced by some companies in China. It derives its name from its requirement that employees work from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, 6 days per week; i.e. 72 hours per week.