Chongqing man dreams of becoming best English-speaking taxi driver

Last week, a taxi driver was invited to afternoon tea at the British Consulate in Chongqing. The middle-aged taxi driver became famous after a video of him speaking English went viral online.

Meng Fanke in his 40s and speaks fluent English to passengers, but it's hard to believe he started studying English from scratch just two years ago.

His passion inspires a lot of passengers he's transported in his cab, including officials from the British Consulate in Chongqing. Last week, British Consul-General Cecille El Beleidi invited him to her residence for afternoon tea.

It has been Meng's dream to study English since he was a child, but he never had the opportunity. In October 2017, he decided to learn the language on his own. Thanks to the internet and technology, Meng learned the language by using various English-learning applications on his smart phone.

Now he practices listening skills via frequently tuning in to English radio programs when driving, and his communication skills via talking with passengers in English as much as possible.

Meng said he always welcomes foreign passengers and would like have simple conversations with English-speakers as well.

"I adopted the same way as a child does to learn English," he said. "I don't know grammar well, but I listen and talk a lot."