Chinese learn English to guide tourists during Olympics

It would be very useful if more Chinese people can speak English. Especially during this Olympics period of time, the lack of good communication will give visitors to China huge inconveniences. To sort out these problems, the Olympics committee invited a large number of foreign volunteers in Beijing to be guides and teach the locals. Ms Zhi Lijiang, A Canadian Chinese, 63 years of age, first time visited China, she could not believe herself could be playing the role to teach English and etiquette classes. A husband and wife students are Lu Baoli and Wang Xiuqin, aged 72 and 65, who have lived just around the corner from the classroom for most of their lives. Ms Zhi and her friends all live in Beijing's Dongsi Olympic Community, the only one of its kind in the city, not far from the Forbidden City. By teaching the residents English, it's expected they might be able to give directions to lost tourists.

The residents are more than happy to attend the Public Welfare English class for citizens in the Olympic community by doing role-play as guides and foreign visitors.

(Source: Reuters)