China is probably one of the few countries in the world where learning English has almost become a national obsession. And China is not the biggest market for English learning.
The problem is English is now used as a tool for various tests rather than a tool for communication. In the mainland, even a graduate student cannot speak the language properly or read English newspapers after some 20 years' efforts. It's because Chinese pay too much attention on grammars.
English study is being inspired by not only the desire to study abroad but also a need to improve skills and find a good job. Thus the TOEFL and GRE, along with many other English tests, come to be a must for job hunters. Demand for oral and business English is also growing and spreading all over the country.
Traditional emphasis on gaining a huge vocabulary through recitation will be gradually replaced by a more integrated approach to English writing, listening, reading and speaking.