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EnjoyingEnglish® Research & Development
The Enjoying English Group has made considerable achievements over the past 10 years. From humble beginnings teaching in middle schools, to developing special courses and presentations for colleges, universities, the police and armed forces, the 2008 Olympic Volunteer Training Programme, state and private business and industry, we have continuously strived to improve our services for the benefit of our visitors, and those with whom we work.
Thousands of man hours have been dedicated to developing our two websites; the first, www.enjoyingenglish2008.org continuing as a resource for students and teachers in China and south-east Asia, has received more than 1 million visitors in the first 3 months of 2010. It is now an Archive for material removed from our International website launched in 2009; www.enjoyingenglish.info However, a new decade heralds new developments. Our Aims & Objectives, and details of our Initiatives are laid out in detail on 'About Us' and summarised in a document titled 'An Over~View' published last year (2009). Our underlying principles remain the same, except that Initiatives in the Countryside should be expanded to include schools in urban areas where facilities may be limited.
Live Presentations are always useful to those who are in a position to experience them. They are useful to us, as they provide an opportunity to keep updated as to what is developing in the educational arena, and what students and teachers need from a practical point of view.
Second, we are able to offer short, medium and long term courses of Oral English, related to the specific needs of a group or organisation. They are tailored to the specific needs of an organisation; for example, those involved in business, International Trade and Industry. Courses range from weekend seminars, to crash courses of 2 or 4 hours a week over 10 weeks. They include a large amount of practical work in groups, and are important for China's continuing future development.
Third is the development of opportunities for students in less developed environments.
Since 2003, Provincial and Central Governments have increased opportunities for students at college and universities, beginning in the south-west. We feel that there is a need to fill a gap for opportunities for upper junior school students in the year before they move to junior middle school - theoretically that they will have all had the same experiences of spoken English at the beginning of middle school education.
From our contacts and experiences, formal grammar is taught very well in China, although it is not the same as is now taught in schools in the UK or Europe. Oral English, however, is often taught from tapes, by inexperienced teachers, with little understanding of the structure of natural Oral English in various situations - conversational, business etc., and with poor pronunciation. This is because many students pronounce English letters and sylables, as they do Chinese in pinyin.
A 3 year programme of Research & Development, beginning with a comparison of students in different educational environments, followed by the establishment of a 1 year programme, and finally an evaluation is probably the most effective way to deal with the problems.
We don't pretend to have the answer to all educational problems. That would be arrogant on our part, and offensive to teachers who have worked diligently, often with limited resources, with students with whom they are familiar.
We
are, however, confident that we have the skills and resources, backed
by an excellent Team of professionals, to be able to resolve problems
relating to the teaching of Oral English. It would enhance student's
capabilities, which in turn, would be beneficial to the future economic
development of China.
Of course,
for the proposals to be successful, there needs to be close
co-operation between ourselves, Chinese Teachers of English, and the
Authorities at different levels.
We are contacting universities and the Authorities in China in the hope that we may begin work in the summer of 2010.
If you have enquiries, or suggestions, please e-mail using the link at the top of this page, and insert 'Research' in the subject bar.
Kind regards
Alan Cooper & Wang Bo Directors. 15.04.2010. Millions of Chinese rural migrants denied education for their children Link to this videoParents face dilemma as hereditary registration system limits access to urban services
going to school.
Chinese children are entitled to a state education, but not all of
them get one. And the tens of millions born to migrant workers like Hu
are among the most vulnerable, owing to a registration system
that
divides the country's citizens into rural and urban dwellers, and
dictates their rights accordingly. Despite spending more than half his life in Beijing, Hu does not
enjoy the same access to health, education and social services as his
neighbours. And because the hukou ? registration ? is
inherited,
neither do his children. "I wish my kids could go to a
state school," says Hu. "Parents always wish their children could
receive a better education." The contradictions of the hukou system, designed for a 1950s planned economy, become more painful with every year of China's
development. About 140 million rural migrants are now working in the
cities, where average incomes are more than three times than those of
the countryside. Migrants have fuelled the country's spectacular
growth but not reaped the benefits. And once they become parents, they
face an unpalatable choice. Fifty-eight million children are left behind in the countryside by
parents who hope that relatives will raise them lovingly. Another 19
million remain in the cities ? where they are, in effect, second-class
citizens. Both groups have poorer academic performance and more
behavioural problems than their peers. At present, Hu's eight-year-old twins, Xiaonan and Xiaobei, are
studying in the family's cramped one-room apartment, under the guidance
of their mother, who left school at 16. "You need connections to get your kids in [to state school] if you
are from other places, and making those connections costs too much
money," says Hu. "We can't afford it." Workers group. That is more than Hu's entire income for the
period. Many families do not qualify anyway, because they lack the right
documents. Scrap collectors and street vendors have no employment
contracts. That leaves more than a third of migrant children in Beijing ? and
far more in other cities ? dependent on private schools, which usually
charge about 600 yuan a term. Until a few weeks ago, the Hu
twins were
among these pupils. But their school is one of 30 facing demolition as
part of urban development plans. Up to 10,000 children in Beijing will
be affected. The education department in Chaoyang district ? where most
affected schools are based ? has said it will help all pupils,
increasing capacity at nearby primaries and aiding approved private
schools to
find new locations. But hundreds have already been sent back to the countryside by
parents. Others ? including Xiaonan and Xiaobei ? have yet to find new
places. Activists fear that some may fall out of schooling altogether;
a study cited by the China Labour Bulletin, a Hong Kong-based group
campaigning for workers' rights, said about 6% of migrant children have
never attended school. The demolitions have highlighted the precarious, makeshift nature
of much migrant schooling. At worst, children can end up in low
quality, profit-driven institutions that are little more than holding
pens. At best, they rely on individuals such as Ma Ruigang, headmaster
of another school on the demolition list. A migrant himself, he
founded the Blue Sky primary school after friends asked him to help
educate their children. It's a spartan site with few facilities, but the teachers are
dedicated. Neatly turned out children are chanting from their
textbooks as he pokes his head into their classroom. "What sort of
country will it be if these children are on the streets instead of in
school?" he asks, nodding at his charges. "Since the children have
come with their parents, and their parents are supporting the
development of Beijing, their education is a very big issue. It's not
only an issue for their families, but also for the government and
nation." Authorities are not indifferent to the problem. Chaoyang
officials donate equipment to the school, and have promised
compensation so it can reopen on a site nearby. But critics say both
local and national efforts scratch the surface. "The Chinese government
has introduced a raft of policies, laws and regulations [to benefit
migrant children]," pointed out a recent report by China Labour Bulletin. "Rural policies have lacked the human and financial resources
needed to effectively implement them, while migrant children in the
cities still face institutional discrimination based on the [hukou]. "The only long-term solution is wide-ranging and systematic reform
of the social welfare system and abolition of the hukou system." No one expects that to happen soon, but demands for change are mounting. Thirteen newspapers recently published a rare joint appeal for wholesale reform ? though they were quickly slapped down by propaganda authorities, who scrubbed the editorial from websites.
The government has promised an overhaul, but fears drastic changes
could lead to migrants flooding cities, putting an unmanageable strain
on services and housing and potentially leading to unrest.
But many say the government's current plan ? allowing rural
dwellers to register in smaller urban centres ? will do nothing for
tens of millions who crossed the country to work in the biggest cities.
Another generation of their children will grow up with big ambitions, but only slender prospects. Copy to Universities & Proposed Schedule: Summer 2010 For the attention of Foreign Affairs Officer URGENT: Teacher of Oral English & Opportunities I have previously worked in China for 10 years, returning to the UK in May 2008 for family reasons. During the past 2 years, our company has been able to consolidate
work with our websites, which aim improve opportunities for students in
the countryside and economically less advantaged urban areas. We are seeking an opening to teach Oral English to college /
university students from September, 2010. We also hope to explore
opportunities for our company to be able expand our operations in
China, in line with our Aims & Objectives (see www.enjoyingenglish2008.org Red Dragon - under ABOUT US, and Research & Development pages). Details are relatively complex. Time is a factor due to the
logistical position of obtaining visas, travel arrangements, etc. We
feel it it would be advantageous to discuss proposals and opportunities
in person. I hope that we may be able to meet during late June or
early July for joint discussions, with a view to exploring
opportunities from October, 2010.* To obtain a 90 day Business visa from the Chinese Embassy Appointed, Chinese Visa Agency in association with CITS, a 'Letter of Invitation' on the company's or institution's headed notepaper is required. A faxed copy is acceptable. Fax: 00 44 1580 880977
Name: Alan Keith COOPER Passport No: GBR 462546889 Expiry date: 18th May, 2018. Date of birth: 21st January, 1949. Duration of stay: a limited period for meetings within a maximum 90 days time-frame, provisionally between mid-June and September Purpose of visit: To discuss: - possible contracts of employment teaching Oral English - presentations to students / teachers on problems with using English as a second language, and resolutions - possible joint Research & Development project for creating better opportunities for students in rural areas - opportunities where our experience and skills may be used for the benefit of young people in China Already demand is high. To ensure our best attention,
organizations wishing to discuss the possibilities of educational
opportunities, can contact us by e-mail on: enjoyingenglishinfo@yahoo.com by 31st May, 2010. Kind regards Alan Cooper & Wang Bo. * Travel expenses between June and
15th September, 2010, including: visa, flights, internal travel within
China, accommodation, meals and sundry expenses, will be the
responsibility of Enjoying English (International) Limited. For information: Websites: www.enjoyingenglish2008.org - for China & S E Asia www.enjoyingenglish.info - International
Proposed Schedule - June, 2010 - September, 2010,
subject to flight availability. Mid-June 2010. Depart London Heathrow to China (Hong Kong, Shanghai or Guangzhou) - forward to Guangzhou, as our home base. From Arrival - 30th June, 2010. Orientation, meetings and confirmation of appointments with educational establishments and Authorities as appropriate. Collection and revision of materials and presentations from Xinyang, Henan Province. July, 2010. Guangzhou: Meetings and Presentations at Universities as arranged. - Re-appraisal and overhaul of Enjoying English websites August, 2010. Working vacation break, with presentations in Henan and Hebei Provinces with family, friends and business contacts. September, 2010. Guangzhou: Exchange of Contracts and confirmation of arrangements with interested parties - Return to London within 90 days from arrival Alan Cooper & Wang Bo. Directors: Enjoying English (International) Limited. May, 2010. China loosens student Hukou controls 05-19-2010Watch Video How to provide fair chances of education for everyone is a
challenge faced by Chinese educators. Now the State Council is
formulating plans to improve the system. Giving rural and urban
children an equal opportunity to study in cities is a key aspect.
Roughly twenty percent of the students in this school are from outside
of Beijing.
They are among the fourteen million children who move from rural areas to cities with their parents.
Migrant student Tian Yujie said, "I came to Beijing when I was
little, so it's like my hometown. I want to go to senior high school in
Beijing because life here is better. I like living in cities."
With education reform on the way, it's hoped studying in cities
will be easier for rural students. Eventually they will receive and
education that is equal to city dwellers.
Cui, Principal of Chang'an Primary school, said, "We used to
require six documents from migrant parents, some are mandatory proof
from their hometown. But now the new regulation requires only three
documents from the receiving city. Things are much easier for them."
But primary school is just the first stop along their education
journey, which is usually full of difficulties.
CCTV reporter Wang Mangmang said, "The second generation of
migrant workers have a dream bigger than money. Fairness in education
is one way to pursue that goal. And this requires equal access, which
means changes in household registration must first take shape...to
allow general equality in an urban setting."
This is one of the few schools specially for migrant children in
Beijing. It is cheaper and much easier to get in. Thirteen year old
Wang Defu is from eastern Fujian Province. He is already worried about
getting into university.
The education and household registration system mean he will have
to go back home for the college entrance exam, with different tests and
marking standards from place to place.
Migrant student Wang Defu said, "My parents are very hard-working.
I wish to live and work in Beijing in the future to repay them one
day." And his proud mother is behind him all the way.
A migrant worker said, "We certainly will do everything we can to support him. But we can do nothing about the regulations."
It will take time and a lengthy debate to solve the complicated
issue. But Wang and his family hope the reform could eventually bring
some good news.
Editor:Zhang Ning |Source: CCTV.com |
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