It's a Saturday morning, and Zhang Xiuyun from the Dongsi Neighbourhood Committee in downtown Beijing is leaving early for work again.

"I have to prepare for my English lecture," said Zhang, who hasn't had a two-day weekend since the launch of an English programme for the community on August 16.

"The lecture begins at 9:30 am every Saturday, but quite a few people are in the auditorium classroom when I arrive at 8:30. Some even arrive as early as 7 o'clock," Zhang said.

Zhu Guoming, 79, said, "I come here early to take a seat near the blackboard, so I can see and hear clearly. If I am late, I have to sit behind."

Zhang's first job is to play back the recording of last week's lecture, allowing the students to review what they have learned.

The early birds, most of them seniors, recite back "No smoking! No littering! No parking!" after the recording.

By 9:30 when the teacher arrives, the auditorium is packed with people. A new lecture begins. The English programme offered by New Oriental Education Group has created a popular interest in learning the languages among retirees, children and others in the community.

More than 200 residents of Dongsi now attend the programme to learn English. And more will join the class in the future.

The programme, called "English Free for Every Citizen," is part of the community's efforts to turn the area into an Olympic community.

Olympics prepared?

Dongsi is located in one of Beijing's 25 protected historical and cultural areas. Since the Organizing Committee of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games set up its headquarters in this district on September 28 of last year, it has supported the neighbourhood committee's plan to turn itself into an Olympic community.

Lin Shulan, who is in charge of the committee, said Olympic Villages are common in former host cities worldwide, but an "Olympic community" is a first. "We hope this will help incorporate the Olympic spirit into community life," Lin said.

Dongsi sought to embody the Olympic spirit not only in its infrastructure, but in its image and services, according to Lin.

To this end, Dongsi is promoting cultural activities with an emphasis on creating an English-speaking environment.

"The residents in the Olympic community are encouraged to improve themselves to meet the needs of international communication in the future," Lin said. "Above all, it will be important for them to familiarize themselves with everyday English."

Dongsi community office director Yuan Yansheng said, "English can serve as a bridge between China and other parts of the world. The improvement of Beijingers' English communication skills is essential to our city's push to host the best Olympics ever."

The community's plan impressed New Oriental Education Group, one of the most successful English training schools in the country. Both sides agreed to co-operate to establish an English-speaking community, jointly launching the programme, "English Free for Every Citizen."

The programme aims to contribute to the success of the 2008 Olympic Games by creating an English speaking atmosphere. "In this campaign, all residents will feel the need to learn English well," said Lin.

Hu Min, president of New Oriental Education Group, said: "As a large educational institute, we not only offer English training to students, but to the public to improve their English proficiency. It is one of our principles to support public service."

The programme began on August 16. New Oriental Education Group donated 20,000 English textbooks to the residents.

They also specially designed a two-hour English class for the residents which runs every Saturday morning free of charge.

Lin said the course, which will finish late this month, targets 200 residents with no background in English education.

"Anyone who is interested in English can apply for the programme. But they must regularly attend," Lin said.

The programme has proven popular with residents.

"The teacher teaches well and I like her," said Li Shukai, a 9-year-old pupil who has never missed a lecture.

"Sometimes it rains or snows, but I insist on being present," the boy said. "It would be a shame if I could not speak English well in 2008."

Wang Xiuqin, 65, said: 'It's hard for old people like me to learn English, but I have the confidence to learn it well."

Although she relies on a hearing aid, she dreams of learning English well enough to show foreign visitors around siheyuan, a traditional Chinese-style compound typical in Beijing.

With a notebook in her pocket, Wang said she can review what she learned in class at any time. She even practises English with her husband when they cook or go for a walk together. "We have to make more of an effort," she said.

Dedicated students

The programme has also attracted people from other communities.

"Considering the limited seating in the auditorium, we have given priority to our own residents in this first round of lectures," Lin said.

But this has not prevented Huang Zhongjie from attending. The 65-year-old retiree, a resident of the Haidian District, some 25 kilometres away, heard about the programme from the New Oriental School newspaper. He went to the school and asked for admission.

"I was told there would be a new programme of this kind in other communities in the future," Huang said. "But I insisted that I attend the first one."

Now he learns English with Dongsi residents, spending two hours on the bus every Saturday morning to get to class.

Since the programme is in its early stages, there are still many things to do, according to Zhang. Some residents complain about the lack of an English-speaking environment to practise what they have learned in class. "To speak English well, it's not enough to attend English class once a week. We need more practice," said Yang Guangcai, a 67-year-old retiree.

Zhi Mingjun, Yang's wife, said she knew less English than her husband. "I have a burning desire to catch up with him," said Zhi. The old couple practise English sentences and phrases sometimes after supper. "But we often find our pronunciation awkward and can't help laughing."

Zhang said they encourage family members to study together to help create a English-speaking environment.

But for senior residents with poor memories, the English words they become familiar with in class often confuse them afterwards when no teacher is available.

To address the problem, Zhang said they have bought more than a hundred tapes to record the lectures. "All the tapes will be handed out to the residents' committees in Dongsi," Zhang said, "We want the committees to organize their residents to review the recordings of the lectures."

According to Lin, two more courses will be held next year. "One will target 100 officials in Dong- si and the other is for employees of Dongsi-based institutions and enterprises," Lin said.

New English lectures will be offered to the residents who took the first course when they finish their studies late this month.

"The programme will continue until 2008," said Lin.

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