Great English for a Great Olympics 

cctv.com 03-24-2005 17:19

On June 8, 2004, as the 2008 Olympic Game鈥檚 holder, Beijing welcomed the arrival of the Athens Olympic Flame.

The Olympic Games in Athens will soon commence and three years later, China will hold their long-expected Beijing Olympic Games. In today鈥檚 Beijing, there are forest like skyscrapers and a well-developed traffic system. Of course, as the organizer, the enthusiasm and ability of the Beijing citizens are the essential factors to holding a successful Olympic Games. So, in three years time, will the people of Beijing be able to receive the vast amount of people coming to China from all over the world?

鈥淣ew Beijing, Great Olympics鈥is the slogan for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Since Beijing鈥檚 successful bid for the game, she has continued to change her appearance. The greatest phenomenon of all however is the learning of English. With 2004 Olympic Games drawing nearer, the enthusiasm for studying English in the capital is getting stronger.

Various kinds of social and commercial services in Beijing are called window services. These are the major channels for the rest of the world to see Beijing through; therefore its main priority is to improve their language capabilities. From civil servants to policemen, taxi drivers to tour guide, everyone is trying their best to enhance their English level.

In 2003, the Organizing Committee recruited a great number of people from the society to help prepare for the 2008 Olympic games. Among the volunteers were students, professors, and even people from overseas. Some of them help teaching English to Beijing citizens and to public servicemen

Editor:Hu Hang  Source:CCTV.com