Although much has been discussed about the use of reading aloud (RA) outside China, it has been one of the least investigated learning/teaching behaviours in ELT in China. The paper reports the results of a series of semi-structured interviews, in which learners and teachers were invited to identify the reasons and problems in the use of RA in their learning and teaching practice. The identified reasons and problems are considered in the discourse of linguistic, cultural-historical and educational contexts in China. The study reveals that the use of RA in ELT in China is not congruent with the recent development trend of research on RA in the literature. The paper argues that foreign language policy and practice decisions in China should be more guided and informed by robust research results than cultural conservatism encouraged by increasingly inflated national pride.