This study investigates the influence of Chinese cultural circumstances on the English-speaking proficiency of college students in Nanchang, China. It explores how key cultural values such as Confucianism, collectivism, indirect communication, and the Chinese writing system impact students' ability and motivation to communicate effectively in English. The research adopts a quantitative approach, utilizing an online survey to collect data from 250 students enrolled in English-related courses at Nanchang University. These students were selected using a probability sampling method, ensuring that the sample was representative of those actively engaged in English language learning. The structured questionnaire measured variables including cultural perceptions, group learning behaviors, communication styles, and English-speaking progress. The findings indicate that while Chinese cultural values encourage academic excellence, they also pose challenges to English-speaking development by reinforcing passive learning, indirect communication, and a reluctance to speak publicly. Students reported hesitation in using English due to fear of making mistakes, a strong preference for group-based learning, and difficulties transitioning from a character-based writing system to English phonetics. However, cultural emphasis on education and self-improvement served as a motivating factor for language acquisition. The study concludes that pedagogical strategies should integrate cultural sensitivity while encouraging active participation in English-speaking activities. Educators should implement interactive learning methods, peer discussions, and exposure to English-speaking environments to boost confidence. This research contributes to improving English language education in China by highlighting the cultural barriers and facilitators that shape students' linguistic development.
Marjona, Q. (2023). HOW TO GREATLY IMPROVE THE PRONUNCIATION IN ENGLISH. In Proceedings of International Conference on Scientific Research in Natural and Social Sciences (Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 16-18).https://econferenceseries.com/index.php/srnss/article/download/743/724
Padilla-Rivera, A., Russo-Garrido, S., & Merveille, N. (2020). Addressing the social aspects of a circular economy: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 12(19), 7912.http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12197912
Xiuwen, Z., & Razali, A. B. (2021). An overview of the utilization of TikTok to improve oral English communication competence among EFL undergraduate students. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 9(7), 1439-1451.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Xiuwen-Zhai/publication/354495862_An_Overview_of_the_Utilization_of_TikTok_to_Improve_Oral_English_Communication_Competence_among_EFL_Undergraduate_Students/links/613b263cee29a068c715addc/An-Overview-of-the-Utilization-of-TikTok-to-Improve-Oral-English-Communication-Competence-among-EFL-Undergraduate-Students.pdf
Al-Maroof, R., Ayoubi, K., Alhumaid, K., Aburayya, A., Alshurideh, M., Alfaisal, R., & Salloum, S. (2021). The acceptance of social media video for knowledge acquisition, sharing and application: A comparative study among YouYube users and TikTok users’ for medical purposes. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 5(3), 197.https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5414&context=works
Momplé, S. (2020). Exploring the self-concept of a group of peer mentors participating in a structured dance programme at a South African University.https://etd.uwc.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11394/7592/momple_m_chs_2020.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Gong, Y., Gao, X., Li, M., & Lai, C. (2021). Cultural adaptation challenges and strategies during study abroad: New Zealand students in China. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 34(4), 417-437.https://doi.org/10.1080/07908318.2020.1856129
Cronin, M. R., Alonzo, S. H., Adamczak, S. K., Baker, D. N., Beltran, R. S., Borker, A. L., ... & Zavaleta, E. S. (2021). Anti-racist interventions to transform ecology, evolution and conservation biology departments. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 5(9), 1213-1223.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-021-01522-z
Rao, P. S. (2019). The importance of speaking skills in English classrooms. Alford Council of International English & Literature Journal (ACIELJ), 2(2), 6-18.https://doi.org/10.33329/ijelr.52.286
Zaini, M. F., & Syafaruddin, S. (2020). The leadership behavior of madrasah principals in improving the quality of education in MAN 3 Medan. Jurnal Iqra': Kajian Ilmu Pendidikan, 5(2), 95-106.https://doi.org/10.25217/ji.v5i2.649
Alhadabi, A., & Karpinski, A. C. (2020). Grit, self-efficacy, achievement orientation goals, and academic performance in University students. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 519-535.https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2019.1679202
Jabbarov, U. (2020). The role of trainings in the formation and development of future foreign language teachers. ?????? ??????????? ?????? ? ???????????, 1(1), 34-38.https://phys-tech.jdpu.uz/index.php/fll/article/download/68/32
Syafryadin, S., Martina, F., & Salniwati, S. (2020). Compensation strategies in speaking activities for non-English department students: poor and competent speakers. JEES (Journal of English Educators Society), 5(2), 109-116.https://doi.org/10.21070/jees.v5i2.819
Tran, L. T., Rahimi, M., Tan, G., Dang, X. T., & Le, N. (2020). Post-study work for international graduates in Australia: opportunity to enhance employability, get a return on investment or secure migration?. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 18(5), 495-510.https://doi.org/10.1080/14767724.2020.1789449
Cirocki, A., & Widodo, H. P. (2019). Reflective practice in English language teaching in Indonesia: Shared practices from two teacher educators. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research, 7(3 (Special Issue)), 15-35.https://ijltr.urmia.ac.ir/article_120734_f3faf8ae4621dc001c91dd54c6f85981.pdf
Yu, Y., & Moskal, M. (2019). Missing intercultural engagements in the university experiences of Chinese international students in the UK. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 49(4), 654-671.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2018.1448259
Liu, Z. (2018, July). The influence of Confucianism on East Asian countries. In 4th International Conference on Arts, Design and Contemporary Education (ICADCE 2018) (pp. 77-79). Atlantis Press.https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/25900154.pdf
Zhenyu, L., (2020). English education in China: An evolutionary perspective. Available at: http://en.people.cn/n3/2020/0427/c90000-9684652.html [Accessed on 4 August 2023]
Embassy of People’s Republic. (2022). Education in China Over the Past 10 Years. Available at: http://be.china embassy.gov.cn/eng/zt/kc/202209/t20220913_10765736.htm#:~:text=China%20has%20established%20the%20world's,the%20stage%20of%20greater%20accessibility. [Accessed on 4 August 2023]
Guzman-Holst, A., DeAntonio, R., Prado-Cohrs, D., & Juliao, P. (2020). Barriers to vaccination in Latin America: A systematic literature review. Vaccine, 38(3), 470-481.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.10.088
Perez-Garcia, M., & Perez-Garcia, M. (2021). The Mandate of Heaven, the Rule of the Emperor: Self-Sufficiency of the Middle Kingdom. Global History with Chinese Characteristics: Autocratic States along the Silk Road in the Decline of the Spanish and Qing Empires 1680-1796, 69-121.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7865-6_3
Lin, S., & Ban, X. (2021, January). Study on the cultural and creative design of traditional Chinese calligraphy tools in the digital era. In The 6th international conference on arts, design and contemporary education (ICADCE 2020) (pp. 427-430). Atlantis Press.https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125950879.pdf
Song, L., & Wang, D. (2020, March). Research on the Reform Method of Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education Courses From the Perspective of Positive Psychology. In 4th International Conference on Culture, Education and Economic Development of Modern Society (ICCESE 2020) (pp. 684-687). Atlantis Press.https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125937078.pdf
Zhu, Y. (2019). TV China: Control and expansion. In The Routledge Companion to global television (pp. 436-444). Routledge.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aymar-Jean-Christian/publication/336955483_Off_the_Line/links/5e387fe0a6fdccd96584662f/Off-the-Line.pdf#page=456
Hu, R., & Abidin, M. J. B. Z. (2025). Confucianism, Collectivism, and Communication: Cultural Barriers and Enablers of English Proficiency in Chinese Higher Education. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 15(4), 1452–1465.
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
