In support of the city's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing people have become more enthusiastic than ever about learning English.
The Beijing People's Broadcasting Station Monday started a program called "Beijingers' 100 English Sentences" to help more people get acquainted with English.
The radio program will enable people with middle-school education to communicate in simple English, said Jiang Gongmin, an editor at the radio station.
Unlike the traditional way of English teaching in textbooks, which starts with grammar and phonetic symbols, this program only deals with everyday oral English sentences. The program is broadcast four times a day on three of the station's radio channels.
The public English-learning wave is sweeping over the city. Beijing's commercial and public transport sectors have worked out their English study schedule.
Foreigners to Beijing will no longer be astonished when greeted cordially in English by local residents on the street. From government employees to housewives, Beijingers feel proud to be able to speak in English, which they consider important in building Beijing into an international metropolitan.
English language road signs have recently been seen near the city's major scenic spots. The municipal government has invited English consultants to correct English signs and introductions located on roads and in public places.
(Xinhua 12/05/2000)
