Twelve expats who have been helping Beijingers learn foreign languages were named "honorable volunteers" this weekend as part of the Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages campaign.

The acknowledgement was made during a foreign languages festival at the Imperial Ancestral Temple where diplomats from 17 countries joined tens of thousands of foreign languages enthusiasts at the 12th annual event.

Ernst-Jan van Hurne, from the Netherlands, was among the volunteers who were honored.

Van Hurne has voluntarily organized weekend classes on English as well as Western culture and customs at community schools in Shijingshan district since 2004. His students include young people and elderly, retired people.

He told METRO that, over the years, he has seen a great improvement in English skills, especially among the young, but he said there was still room for improvement, especially in spoken English.

"Lots of attention is paid to reading and writing. China is opening up to the world, but many Chinese still face difficulties in opening their mouths and speaking English," said Van Hurne, who works by day as the executive director of a recruitment company.

"An event like this is a great opportunity to promote and encourage local people to work on their English and to make it better."

Along with Van Hurne, the 11 expats honored at the weekend include United States citizens Joseph Habib and his wife Lorene Mary Habib, and David Tool, who is known for correcting English in public areas such as road signs and museum information cards.

Joseph Habib and his wife opened a library in Tongzhou district where both Chinese and foreigners can read books and make new friends. Whenever they have time, the couple take part in English Corner in Tongzhou and help others learn the language.

"It is amazing how Chinese people's English level has improved," said Habib, 75. "Walking here is like walking on the streets of New York. I can make myself understood any time."

Boosted by the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the capital's enthusiasm to learn English has never been higher.

Beijing has established 701 English training centers, 433 English corners and organized more than 40,000 English-learning activities. By the end of 2007, the capital had 5 million people who could speak English, which accounted for 35 percent of the permanent population, according to a report from the Xinhua News Agency.

Xia Fengzhi is a typical English learner. The 72-year-old has been studying English almost every day for 12 years and has made hundreds of foreign friends because of his ability to speak fluent English.

"I study English because it makes my retired life full of fun," said Xia, who is president of the Tuanjiehu Foreign Languages Association and focuses on promoting English among retired people. "I enjoy the moment when I can talk with foreigners and learn about their different cultures."

Foreign and Chinese students gave performances of Chinese opera and played traditional musical instruments and gave a martial arts display during the festival. Other activities included an English vocabulary contest, a photo exhibition and warm-up activities for BTV's Spring Festival Global Gala.

China Daily

(China Daily 10/18/2010)