Construction of Cultural Identity through Language Education of Junior-Senior High Schools in China during 1949-1997

Abstract

The construction of cultural identity is a very complex issue and is affected by many factors, one of which is education. To make Chinese people acknowledge their own political civilization and cultural tradition, after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese education departments integrated Marxist education by using Chinese language courses in junior-senior high schools (JSHSs) as a medium. To achieve such integration, Chinese language courses must teach language knowledge while disseminating Marxism. A large number of works with Sinicized Marxism content was included in textbooks and interpreted according to relevant theories. Additionally, teachers of Chinese language courses must have high literacy regarding Marxist theory. Judging from the current social reality, the Chinese language courses in China’s JSHSs have prompted the adherence, identification and internalization of Marxism among JSHS students since the founding of the People’s Republic of China and have laid the foundation for the formation of a socio-political culture guided by Marxism in the general public.