A test of spoken English will be included as anoptional component of College English Test (CET).Some people argue that it is absolutely necessaryto hold a test of spoken English in China because wehave been informed frequently that a Chinesestudent who has been learning English for over tenyears cannot even communicate with a nativespeaker. A test of spoken English will bring thecollege students an awareness of the importance oforal English, and will thus help them with their communicating skills.
On the other hand, some others still maintain that a good command of reading and writingskills will be enough for the English learners. To some extent their opinion derives from the factthat students are already under considerable pressure from their coursework. Anotherrequired test will only add to their burden.
In my opinion, a test of spoken English will do more good than harm. Since China willcontinue its policy of opening and reform, the ability to speak English fluently is a must foranyone who wants to surpass others in a highly competitive society. Whether I take the testor not, I shall spare no efforts to practice oral English in the remaining years of my collegestudy.
