Putting in a good word for language skills

Updated: 2012-02-15 08:54

By Jiang Xueqing and Wang Hongyi (China Daily)

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"Those in attendance are mostly aged 40 to 60 and had little chance to learn the language at school," said Li Zhihao, an official at the center.

Chen Kai, 41, is among those who have already attended a course. "My past learning experience mainly focused on reading and writing. Now I'm emphatically improving my spoken English," said the deputy director of Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office.

Demand for English training has seen its most rapid increase among government leaders and State enterprises in recent years, particularly in 2011, said Gao Xiaodong, vice-dean of the Continuing Education College at Beijing Foreign Studies University, which hosts 239 training programs for officials and heads of State-owned enterprises.

He said that more than 9,000 people 67 percent of its enrollment took the group courses last year, up from about 3,000 in 2010.

Although each authority or State company has a specific target China Construction Bank sends its managers to be trained before they head to branches overseas the programs largely focus on financial and business English, as well as cross-cultural communication. Students also learn about social customs and basic skills for business conferences and negotiations in other countries.

"There is huge market potential in English training for top officials," Gao said. "Many cities are working hard to meet international standards and integrate into the global market. Therefore, how well officials speak English and how open-minded they are have become crucial.

"State-owned enterprises have even greater needs," he added. "Many are setting up branches overseas or are involved in mergers and acquisitions. They have tremendous demand for professionals who are familiar with technology and fluent in a foreign language."

Growing market

China's universities are not the only ones exploring the market. Training companies are also taking a slice of the action.

In terms of contracts signed, government and State-run companies have now overtaken international firms, said Xiao of Wall Street English (China).

In December 2001, the company made a one-year deal with the Ministry of Education to train eight deputy ministers, which was then extended by another 12 months. According to Xiao, the course helped those leaders to significantly improve their skills in speaking at international conferences and talking to foreign guests at meetings.

Putting in a good word for language skills 

Copies of Foreign Affairs Terms of Leading Cadres, a new series of foreign language books for officials. Photos provided to China Daily