60 People, 60 Stories

Tool to take global center stage

By Bill Fisher (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-30 10:42

English is the global language of business and the growth of English study in China is reflective of that reality - it is staggering how many millions of people have begun studying English in China during the last 60 years.

I believe this is very much a reflection that as a major world power, China is committed to learn how to communicate in English. During the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, we saw a wonderful culmination of China's ascendancy onto the world stage.

It is my personal belief that the education industry in China, during the last 60 years, has changed a great deal too. Previously silent and very low-profile, education in China seems to have evolved during the era of reform and opening up, not only because of government initiatives, but also from individuals who want to change their lives.

It would not be fair of me, as a non-native Chinese, to point out deficiencies in China's educational system. However, we do see that many of our students have a strong desire to learn English, and come to our school with a good base of grammar, but lack confidence to use their English.

Our learning system, specifically designed for Chinese English learners, is geared to give our students plenty of confidence-building opportunities to speak and use the English they learn in our schools. I am often impressed by our students who are passionate about learning English, and it is an honor to create the right English environment for them to improve.

We recently helped to train a few local English teachers from the quake-stricken area of Sichuan province. They were dedicated and passionate about helping local Chinese students improve their English, and this deeply impressed me. China possesses this will to learn English.

Bill Fisher is the chief executive officer of education group English First China