Digital tools fail to totally replace the classic classroom techniques

Smartphones and tablet computers may have revolutionized language learning in the digital age, but many people still prefer the old-fashioned way of honing their communication skills - English corners.

In the southern city of Guilin, Liu Yukun has been running an English corner since 1991 and said even today it remains hugely popular.

Over the years, the weekly event has been participated in by an estimated 130,000 Chinese and more than 20,000 foreigners from 45 countries, with ages ranging from 5 to 90.