Beijingers join English-learning campaign (BOCOG) Updated: 2006-05-16 09:39 Some 50,000 citizens flocked into Chaoyang Park in
the eastern Beijing to kick off the annual campaign promoting English-learning
last Saturday.
Beijing Vice
Mayor Zhang Mao declares the campaign open.[BOCOG]
| Declaring
the "English-learning Week" open, Beijing Vice Mayor Zhang Mao made a speech in
English, noting that the municipal government has encouraged Beijingers to learn
and use foreign languages with an aim to successfully host the 29th Olympic
Games.
As a result of the massive participation in recent years, the number of the
citizens who can speak foreign languages may reach four million this year, most
of whom being public servants and the workers at the service sector, campaign
organizers said.
Citizens line up to
get English booklet.[BOCOG] |
Lectures, meetings with well-known persons, interactive games, book sales,
foreign language corners and donations featured the campaign which attracted
also representatives of education agencies of foreign countries, foreign
students and foreign businessmen in Beijing, embassy staff as well as overseas
media.
A highlight of the activity was the recruitment of foreign language
volunteers, who will go into neighborhoods to help learners resolve their
questions.
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