Press Release

China's leader in language training becomes first language school in China

authorized to administer Cambridge Young Learner's exam on a national scale

BEIJING, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc. (NYSE: EDU), the largest provider of private educational services in China, and the Sino-British Academic Exchange Center for Education Measurement (SBC), Cambridge ESOL's sole representative in China for the Cambridge Young Learners English exam (YLE), have signed an agreement authorizing New Oriental to administer YLE to its students across mainland China.

YLE has had close to 2 million test-takers since its launch in 1997, making it the largest and most influential exam for young learners of English in China. The exam consists of three levels -- Starters, Movers, and Flyers -- and measures listening, speaking, reading and writing skills for children ages 7 to 12. New Oriental is the first and only language school in China authorized by SBC to administer the exam on a national scale.

"The Cambridge Young Learners English exam is widely recognized as one of the most authoritative international testing systems for young learners of the English language," said Michael Yu, New Oriental's chairman and chief executive officer. "We are excited to partner with SBC and Cambridge ESOL, and believe that providing assessment through YLE will greatly enhance our already fast-growing POP Kids English program."

"YLE is unique in that it caters to the particular needs of parents and children in the Chinese education environment, while at the same time providing students with international recognition for their language achievements," said Dr. Mike Milanovic, Chief Executive for Cambridge ESOL. "We are very pleased that SBC and New Oriental have chosen to work with us to extend the exam's reach to even more markets across China."

"SBC is confident that with New Oriental's partnership on Cambridge YLE, we can each cater to our respective strengths in order to ensure that both parents and young learners of English in China are provided with a significantly enhanced study and assessment experience," said Ms. Li Wang, Director of SBC.

New Oriental plans to administer the Young Learners English exam for POP Kids English students in 13 cities beginning in December 2008.

About The Sino-British Academic Exchange Center in Education Measurement

The Sino-British Academic Exchange Center in Education Measurement (SBC) is one of 13 subsidiaries of the Ministry of Education National Education Examinations Authority (NEAA). SBC was established by the China National Education Commission with donations from the University of Cambridge Examinations Board (UCLES), for the purpose of measuring education and education-related exchanges and cooperation between the United Kingdom and China and other countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

About Cambridge ESOL

Cambridge ESOL is a not-for-profit department of the University of Cambridge focusing on examinations for the English language, and a part of Cambridge Assessment, Europe's largest assessment body. Cambridge Assessment was established in 1858 as the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2008. More than eight million exams developed by Cambridge Assessment are taken each year in over 150 countries.

About New Oriental

New Oriental is the largest provider of private educational services in China based on the number of program offerings, total student enrollments and geographic presence. New Oriental offers a wide range of educational programs, services and products consisting primarily of English and other foreign language training, test preparation courses for major admissions and assessment tests in the United States, the PRC and Commonwealth countries, primary and secondary school education, development and distribution of educational content, software and other technology, and online education. New Oriental's ADSs, each of which represents four common shares, currently trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EDU." For more information about New Oriental, please visit http://english.neworiental.org .

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about New Oriental's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Information regarding these risks and uncertainties is included in our registration statement on Form F-1 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New Oriental does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release is as of November 20, 2008, and New Oriental undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Ms. Sisi Zhao

New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc.

Tel: +86-10-6260-5566 x8203

Email: zhaosisi@staff.neworiental.org

Ms. Cynthia He

Brunswick Group LLC

Tel: +86-10-6566-9504

Email: edu@brunswickgroup.com

In the U.S.:

Mr. Michael Guerin

Brunswick Group LLC

Tel: +1-646-277-3694

Email: mguerin@brunswickgroup.com

SOURCE  New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc.
    -0-                             11/20/2008
    /CONTACT: In China: Ms. Sisi Zhao of New Oriental Education and Technology
Group Inc., +86-10-6260-5566 x8203, or zhaosisi@staff.neworiental.org; or Ms.
Cynthia He of Brunswick Group LLC, +86-10-6566-9504, or edu@brunswickgroup.com;
In the U.S.: Mr. Michael Guerin of Brunswick Group LLC, +1-646-277-3694, or
mguerin@brunswickgroup.com    /
    /Web site: http://english.neworiental.org /
    (EDU)

CO:  New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc.
ST:  China
IN:  CPR EDU MLM HED
SU:  LIC






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