This article discusses the language power struggle that most learners are very familiar with. "Given a conscious choice between a number of languages to use for interaction, speakers will naturally tend to choose the common language in which the poorer speaker’s level is highest."
Language Power Struggles
sinosplice.com/life/archives/2010/05/18/languag...
Submitted by Olle Linge on 01 March, 2014 05:52
Beginner Intermediate Speaking Information-and-Advice Expat
01 March, 2014 07:29
Personally, I think that the best way of "winning" the language power struggle is to understand that it's there and deal with it directly. Even though I have encountered the so-called English ninjas, they aren't all that common. Perhaps you'll have a hard time convincing some people to speak Chinese with you 100% of the time, but most people will be more than happy with an exchange. Also, if you live in China, you have literally millions of people to choose from and you can afford to just ignore people who behave like the Chinese guy in the dialogue.