You've made a good point. Chinese kids that learn English have been using some truly questionable materials, and they are tested somewhat strangely too. The kids that come to me with letters from their teachers telling me how great they are aren't great at all. On the other hand, the kids that come to me with warnings from their teachers how bad in English they are aren't so inadequate at all too. It does seem that the testing is a suspect, and as you have suggested the ambiguity may turn some kids off. Further, it appears that the root memorization, which they use to learn Chinese, does not work with English at all. Most kids are low on active vocabulary which impairs their writing and speaking visibly. All in all, the Beijing press material may be as lame as it is as are the people who have to work with it. No wonder there's a reverse on teaching English in Chinese public schools where History and Chinese are to replace the soon optional subject.