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Fact: You're never too old to learn your ABCs
By Xu Wenwen |
June 18, 2010, Friday
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IT'S not just young people who are learning English. Seniors in Hangzhou are learning their ABCs, getting into the World Expo spirit and preparing to welcome visitors.
"Thank you for the wonderful meal, I really enjoyed it."
"I'm glad that you loved it, thank you for coming!"
These are the kinds of simple English sentences that residents in Huaxing Community are reading and practicing slowly.
Reasons for learning vary: many cite the increased number of Western tourists and visitors from the World Expo in neighboring Shanghai. Some say they plan to travel overseas and want a little English. Others say learning English can bring them closer to their children and grandchildren who are also learning.
Although some senior citizens have memory problems and lack confidence, others do just fine and in general the older folks seem more attentive and motivated than younger learners, say some instructors.
A free 90-minute English class opened in March in Huaxing Community attracting around 20 retired folks every Wednesday.
They are helped by 26 volunteer teachers who are students studying English in Hangzhou Normal University and have written a basic textbook for their older students. These include basic phonetic symbols, simple words and short, useful dialogues.
"They ask and answer eagerly, and they even don't want to take breaks," says community worker Lou Yinping who initiated the class.
"They seem to be much more diligent than we were in school."
Gray-haired learners have come up with several methods of their own to help them remember and pronounce correctly. Some sing English children's songs and nursery rhymes, some use e-book readers to correct their accent, and some label English words in Chinese characters to remember the meaning.
Though their level is very basic, they are trying to use their English with each other.
"We are totally moved by their passion," says lead volunteer Mei Yang, "and though we are teaching them, they are also teaching us. You're never too old to learn."
"Thank you for the wonderful meal, I really enjoyed it."
"I'm glad that you loved it, thank you for coming!"
These are the kinds of simple English sentences that residents in Huaxing Community are reading and practicing slowly.
Reasons for learning vary: many cite the increased number of Western tourists and visitors from the World Expo in neighboring Shanghai. Some say they plan to travel overseas and want a little English. Others say learning English can bring them closer to their children and grandchildren who are also learning.
Although some senior citizens have memory problems and lack confidence, others do just fine and in general the older folks seem more attentive and motivated than younger learners, say some instructors.
A free 90-minute English class opened in March in Huaxing Community attracting around 20 retired folks every Wednesday.
They are helped by 26 volunteer teachers who are students studying English in Hangzhou Normal University and have written a basic textbook for their older students. These include basic phonetic symbols, simple words and short, useful dialogues.
"They ask and answer eagerly, and they even don't want to take breaks," says community worker Lou Yinping who initiated the class.
"They seem to be much more diligent than we were in school."
Gray-haired learners have come up with several methods of their own to help them remember and pronounce correctly. Some sing English children's songs and nursery rhymes, some use e-book readers to correct their accent, and some label English words in Chinese characters to remember the meaning.
Though their level is very basic, they are trying to use their English with each other.
"We are totally moved by their passion," says lead volunteer Mei Yang, "and though we are teaching them, they are also teaching us. You're never too old to learn."
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