The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Beijing

One thing that bothered everyone coming to Beijing Olympics on whether they will be able to communicate here freely or not.

But the Chinese Olympics Authorities concentrated hard on the issue and made concerted efforts to solve the problem. Hundreds of young boys and girls were drafted and were given full-fledged training on spoken English.

Beautiful young girls and handsome boys talked freely in English to help the IOC and Media personalities most sincerely at the Olympic Media Centre here. Most of them adapted well with the situation and are providing full support and commendable service to the visitors in the discharge of their duties.

Pretending to be a foreigner Lijiang is helping Chinese students learn English. Over 100 citizens, all 50 or older, meet in the classroom three times a week to study etiquette and Olympic-related English phrases.

But the lessons are not just for a few retired Chinese. In a country that has left nothing to chance in the three weeks on the international spotlight. The language instruction is part of a larger national campaign to spread English to the masses.

That way, authorities say, Beijing's residents can properly welcome and impress the half a million tourists who have come to the city for the Olympic Games.

Taxi drivers, assigned with moving around Beijing's foreign visitors, have been given English learning manuals.

The Chinese aren't learning English just for practical purposes. The lessons are also an exercise in image building, and the message sometimes sounds like propaganda.

"The Olympics is a bridge, leading towards peace," a female student read from a government- issued textbook in a Beijing classroom. She looked up proudly completing her task. Some Chinese residents are even learning traditional American songs to welcome the throngs of foreign visitors.

"Jingle bells, jingle bells," sang a chorus of Chinese women recently, in front of a mixed audience of Chinese and tourists.

They were dressed in pink track suits and shaking what appeared to be adorning Coca-Cola cans.