English lessons help build new learning community in Fujia
March 27, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MANY residents of Fujia Garden in Minhang District gathered at the community's English Corner on the night of the Lantern Festival.
They regarded themselves as members of a big new family and didn't want to miss the chance of getting together to celebrate. And in their view, the opportunity was all due to Chic, founder of the English Corner, and his brilliant ideas.
Guessing the answers to riddles is a traditional Lantern Festival activity. But at the English Corner, participants get not the riddle, but the answer. And they need to describe the answer using English, or body language, to make others understand. For example:
"When we're sick, who do we need?"
"A doctor!"
The foreign language twist to the old riddle game is just one of the innovative ideas of Chic, whose Chinese name is Yang Chen.
He became a resident of Fujia Garden after he finished studying in Britain. Hoping to contribute to the community, he devoted his spare time to founding the English Corner in the activity room. The corner operates at night and all participants have the opportunity to practice their English skills.
"When I was at university, I was always the English host of such events. And now I'm a teacher in an English education institute," says Chic, aged 26. "Since I like English, and I'm good at speaking it, I think I can help the community."
Local residents became very interested in his English Corner when it was originally set up. The activity room is always full of participants -- children, youths, white collars and housewives. And Chic makes sure they get the full benefit of his experience by organizing English jokes, topical discussion and general conversation.
All the participants benefit from his frequent talks, humorous language, incisive thinking and passion for teaching the language.
Eva is in grade two of primary school, but he's already a regular participant at the English Corner. He still remembers when he first attended that he was too shy to say anything. But after a year's practice, he's now always the first one to speak.
"When you step into the English Corner, you should forget your age and nationality and imagine you're living in an English-speaking country. So you can only speak English here," says Eva.
Chic always prepares well for each activity and uploads his program on the community's BBS. The residents' committee also puts the schedule on the community information board. With such promotion and seeing the positive reactions posted on Fujia's BBS, residents not only in Fujia but from many other communities attend the English Corner.
It has become increasingly popular among local residents, all of whom share a common goal: to use their new English speaking skills during the World Expo.
They regarded themselves as members of a big new family and didn't want to miss the chance of getting together to celebrate. And in their view, the opportunity was all due to Chic, founder of the English Corner, and his brilliant ideas.
Guessing the answers to riddles is a traditional Lantern Festival activity. But at the English Corner, participants get not the riddle, but the answer. And they need to describe the answer using English, or body language, to make others understand. For example:
"When we're sick, who do we need?"
"A doctor!"
The foreign language twist to the old riddle game is just one of the innovative ideas of Chic, whose Chinese name is Yang Chen.
He became a resident of Fujia Garden after he finished studying in Britain. Hoping to contribute to the community, he devoted his spare time to founding the English Corner in the activity room. The corner operates at night and all participants have the opportunity to practice their English skills.
"When I was at university, I was always the English host of such events. And now I'm a teacher in an English education institute," says Chic, aged 26. "Since I like English, and I'm good at speaking it, I think I can help the community."
Local residents became very interested in his English Corner when it was originally set up. The activity room is always full of participants -- children, youths, white collars and housewives. And Chic makes sure they get the full benefit of his experience by organizing English jokes, topical discussion and general conversation.
All the participants benefit from his frequent talks, humorous language, incisive thinking and passion for teaching the language.
Eva is in grade two of primary school, but he's already a regular participant at the English Corner. He still remembers when he first attended that he was too shy to say anything. But after a year's practice, he's now always the first one to speak.
"When you step into the English Corner, you should forget your age and nationality and imagine you're living in an English-speaking country. So you can only speak English here," says Eva.
Chic always prepares well for each activity and uploads his program on the community's BBS. The residents' committee also puts the schedule on the community information board. With such promotion and seeing the positive reactions posted on Fujia's BBS, residents not only in Fujia but from many other communities attend the English Corner.
It has become increasingly popular among local residents, all of whom share a common goal: to use their new English speaking skills during the World Expo.
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