Communication skills, English lessons spur local traders to think global

GUANGZHOU - Ma Jieyao, the owner of a small stall in a wholesale market for garments in the city of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province, didn't speak any English two months ago.

But now, after a few lessons in "Shop English", she is no longer afraid of facing foreign buyers.

This particular variety of the English language course is all about price inquiries, bargaining, payment and delivery terms. The speakers pay little attention to grammar or pronunciation - it's a language of getting things done.