The point put forward by Zhang Xuefeng is indeed reasonable. The importance of spoken English in practical communication cannot be overstated, especially in a global work environment, where good English listening and speaking skills are essential. It is true that many students excel in written English but struggle with verbal communication. Therefore, increasing the weight of the scores in the speaking section may prompt students to pay more attention to speaking practice and thus better prepare for situations in which they may encounter English use in the future.
However, it is important to consider how to increase the speaking score to a specific value like 120 points. Such adjustments may have different impacts on students of different backgrounds and abilities, and the unequal distribution of educational resources may also result in some students benefiting and others being disadvantaged. Therefore, any reform should take into account the principle of fairness and ensure that all students benefit on equal terms.
In addition, the purpose of the English test is to comprehensively evaluate students' English proficiency, including listening, speaking, reading and writing. Therefore, when adjusting the score of any part of the test, it should ensure that the overall test design is balanced and reasonable, so that the scoring system can fully reflect the student's English ability.
To sum up, the reform of English education and assessment system should take into account many factors, not only to improve students' actual language ability, but also to ensure the fairness and scientificity of the reform measures. Through continuous research and practice, we find the most suitable English teaching and assessment methods for Chinese students.