Dictionaries are displayed in a bookstore in Beijing. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Ministry of Education received a report from a distressed university professor, citing mistakes in an alarming number of English teaching materials, the Global Times reported.
The instructional materials contained erroneous information, lapses in grammar, logic and tenses, to name a few. Errors in spelling were even found. The report was filed by Beijing Forestry University English professor Shi Bing.
Top educational institutions like Nanjing Normal University and Peking University are said to be employing the 26 sets of supposedly university-caliber books and other materials, according to Shi's report.
Citing examples, Shi noted that one sentence in one of the books read, "The Bastille fell in 1879," when the correct year is 1789. Another book stated, "Physical exercises is the best way to avoid getting sick," wrongfully using the plural "exercises."
A book by two purportedly English experts contained no less than 26 errors, the professor said. "This shocks me because it does not match the reputation of these colleges." Shi added.
Shi said that the publishing industry has little to do with the textbook compilation issue after being told that the publishers have been notified and corrections are under way.
The professor said that the problem is coming from educators.
"This reflects that either the English level of some university teachers is not high enough to notice the mistakes in their own work, or these people lack a sense of responsibility. Also, it demonstrates that the compilers are not familiar with what they are going to teach in the university," Shi said, adding that any professor can compile a book without any authority to impose strict regulations on English writing.
Another controversy that Shi brought into light is how there are established authors that let allegedly unqualified individuals to make compilation in their behalf.
Shi also said that guidelines that will greatly limit who can compile educational materials are in the works.
