Han Ximin
SOME 100 foreign students studying Chinese at Shenzhen University will soon live with their host families in Bao an in a three-month homestay program, launched yesterday with students at Bao an Middle School.
Promoting language learning and cultural exchanges, the program aims at helping foreign students learn more about Chinese families and society and is one of the activities initiated Saturday by Bao an District to promote foreign language learning among residents to welcome the Universiade to be held in August.
The families and students could both benefit from the program in learning English and Chinese. More importantly, the foreign students can help promote Shenzhen through their experience from the program, Wang Qingguo, dean of Shenzhen University College of International Exchange, said Saturday.
Students participating in the program have been told to write stories about their homestay experience, and we will hold photo exhibitions for the program. Their stories and photos will be a good way to promote the image of Shenzhen if uploaded online to personal blogs and social network Web sites, said Wang.
Meanwhile, the Bao an District Government has hired 100 lecturers to give English training at government agencies, communities and companies in the district to promote English learning, and staff at the district government service counters at administrative halls are required to speak fluent English.
About 50,000 volunteers in the district will have intensive English training according to the demand of their duties. Games about basic English skills such as puzzle-solving and spelling contest will also be organized in communities.
