Learning Difficulties in China
In 1986 a Chinese dictionary listed a staggering 56,000 characters. How can anybody in China learn to recognise 56,000 characters? The simple answer is nobody can. A reader who wants to peruse a popular daily newspaper including the sports pages will get by on the ability to recognise 3,000 characters.
Kilcullen born Garreth Byrne has recently published an article in Contemporary Review on how the Chinese schooling system is trying, quite successfully, to get to grips with mass illiteracy and ignorance in its rapidly advancing society. You can read it here. Be warned, though, you'll need time.
Garreth is currently living in China, where he has taught for many years.
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