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Couple turns their home into center of language learning
By Gu Jialan |
December 28, 2009, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WHEN walking into the home of Pan Wei and his wife Yoko Suzuki at "Qingshui Yiyuan," most will be impressed with the bright furniture that features simple designs, a small vase as well as a wall picture, all showing the couple's natural and easy lifestyle. However, this small apartment of about 100 square meters also functions as a Japanese classroom. The room used as the classroom is less than 12 square meters, where Pan and Yoko chat and mingle with local Japanese language lovers.
Pan was born in Waigang Town of Jiading District. With an interest in languages, Pan began to teach himself Japanese when he was a junior school student. Later he was admitted to Shanghai International Studies University, majoring in Japanese and minoring in English. Feeling right at home, Pan's language ability largely improved. But when he graduated from the university in 2004, he found that his Japanese conversation ability still wasn't good enough. The next year he went to study in Japan, where he would have a chance to learn about local customs and traditions and learn the language better. In 2007, Pan finished his studies and returned to China.
Suzuki is from Tokyo and her China connection started in 2004, when she worked as a tour guide in Japan. At that time, she usually accompanied travel groups to China, and was deeply enchanted by China's beautiful scenery and profound culture. The haunting beauty of Jiuzhaigou Ravine and Yellow Mountain even made her linger on without any thought of leaving. However, she also found it was difficult to communicate with locals at tourist resorts in English, let alone Japanese.
She decided to go to Zhejiang University to study Mandarin in 2004. "I thought that studying Chinese would be useful in my career and help me gain a better understanding of China," she says.
Now Suzuki speaks fluent Mandarin.
2007 was a special year for the couple. After an arrangement and introduction by their mutual friends, Pan got to know Suzuki, who was then working in Hangzhou. The two fell in love and soon established their own family in Jiading. Suzuki initially worked as a foreign language teacher at Shanghai Vocational College of Science and Technology. She was well-received and welcomed by all of her students. Pan was then working at an enterprise. It was not until Pan's participation in some Korean and English training classes - where he found there were too many students and that they had little chance of practicing their spoken Korean or English - that he made a bold decision: quit his job and became a private Japanese teacher.
English or other language classes in China are commonly known as "Dumb English," meaning students are unable to speak a word of English or other language despite years of studying. Pan wondered if the students could do better if they were in small classes of less than 10 people and had more practice speaking the language.
The couple opened a family "private school." Pan used a spare room in his apartment for the "classroom," purchasing desks, chairs and books.
"At first there was only two students, but the number increased gradually by word of mouth. More than 20 Japanese enthusiasts have made reservations for the latest training class. I think it is a recognition for our efforts."
Pan says that he loves his work and life as he is doing what he enjoys. Over the past three years, nearly 100 students completed their studies at their "private school."
"Mastering a foreign language can enhance a person's competitiveness and has proven to be a stepping-stone to a successful career," he says.
Most of Pan's students are young employees of Japanese-funded enterprises. Many have found better positions after study.
Wang Fei, one of Pan's students was originally working at a small car company. After more than one-year of studying, Wang was hired by Toyota Motor Corporation and was sent to its headquarters in Japan.
Pan and Suzuki also welcome their students to call them at any time to help solve their problems when studying Japanese.
Pan was born in Waigang Town of Jiading District. With an interest in languages, Pan began to teach himself Japanese when he was a junior school student. Later he was admitted to Shanghai International Studies University, majoring in Japanese and minoring in English. Feeling right at home, Pan's language ability largely improved. But when he graduated from the university in 2004, he found that his Japanese conversation ability still wasn't good enough. The next year he went to study in Japan, where he would have a chance to learn about local customs and traditions and learn the language better. In 2007, Pan finished his studies and returned to China.
Suzuki is from Tokyo and her China connection started in 2004, when she worked as a tour guide in Japan. At that time, she usually accompanied travel groups to China, and was deeply enchanted by China's beautiful scenery and profound culture. The haunting beauty of Jiuzhaigou Ravine and Yellow Mountain even made her linger on without any thought of leaving. However, she also found it was difficult to communicate with locals at tourist resorts in English, let alone Japanese.
She decided to go to Zhejiang University to study Mandarin in 2004. "I thought that studying Chinese would be useful in my career and help me gain a better understanding of China," she says.
Now Suzuki speaks fluent Mandarin.
2007 was a special year for the couple. After an arrangement and introduction by their mutual friends, Pan got to know Suzuki, who was then working in Hangzhou. The two fell in love and soon established their own family in Jiading. Suzuki initially worked as a foreign language teacher at Shanghai Vocational College of Science and Technology. She was well-received and welcomed by all of her students. Pan was then working at an enterprise. It was not until Pan's participation in some Korean and English training classes - where he found there were too many students and that they had little chance of practicing their spoken Korean or English - that he made a bold decision: quit his job and became a private Japanese teacher.
English or other language classes in China are commonly known as "Dumb English," meaning students are unable to speak a word of English or other language despite years of studying. Pan wondered if the students could do better if they were in small classes of less than 10 people and had more practice speaking the language.
The couple opened a family "private school." Pan used a spare room in his apartment for the "classroom," purchasing desks, chairs and books.
"At first there was only two students, but the number increased gradually by word of mouth. More than 20 Japanese enthusiasts have made reservations for the latest training class. I think it is a recognition for our efforts."
Pan says that he loves his work and life as he is doing what he enjoys. Over the past three years, nearly 100 students completed their studies at their "private school."
"Mastering a foreign language can enhance a person's competitiveness and has proven to be a stepping-stone to a successful career," he says.
Most of Pan's students are young employees of Japanese-funded enterprises. Many have found better positions after study.
Wang Fei, one of Pan's students was originally working at a small car company. After more than one-year of studying, Wang was hired by Toyota Motor Corporation and was sent to its headquarters in Japan.
Pan and Suzuki also welcome their students to call them at any time to help solve their problems when studying Japanese.
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