i * Updated: 02.07.2010. * Enjoying English Limited * What Drives Us * Our Mission Statement * Websites * Student Helpline * Red Dragon * Publications * Blogs (Archive) * People * From the Directors ~ Strategies for our Future Development * Estmate of Financial Expenditure 2010 - 2011 * 'An Over~view' - a Presentation to potential sponsors * Strategies for Future Development from 2009 * CONTACT US * Donations & Sponsorship
Update: 2010.07.02. Our Countryside Initiatives are Cancelled. We have attempted to reach agreement with a number of authorities in China over the past 2 years to launch a 'Project of Initiatives in the Countryside'. It's aim was to improve educational and career opportunities for young people in rural areas in the long term.
Sadly, despite our best endeavours, we have made little progress.
Besides protecting our personal and the Company's interests, there is
little point in continuing to pour a great deal of money, resources and
effort into a bottom-less pot. We have, therefore, decided re-evaluate
our position and cancel the project.
Kind regards
Alan Cooper & Wang Bo.
Directors - Enjoying English Limited.
Update: 12.05.2010. 'Enjoying English Limited' With approaching one and a half a million visitors towww.enjoyingenglish2008.orgsince the beginning of 2010, we have to expand our business in a sensible and sustainable manner.
The situation with our Company is that our Bankers and Accountants say that, to maintain services to students and teachers, we need to move to more permanent accommodation, and replace equipment which is now 6 years old.
We also need to consolidate the information we have compiled and revised for students and teachers since 2000, to be more productive, and maintain an effective resource of information which has been removed from the site. Full details will be published shortly.
An update of our 'Strategies for Development from 2009' has been published with a short 'Report & Forecast of Expenditure 2010 - 2011'. Similarly, a full report entitled 'An Over~view', appears below.
It is hoped that sufficient income will be generated to achieve that aim, and for us to launch the countryside initiatives as a Pilot Scheme during the financial year - 2010 / 11.
We have applied to The Charities Commission for Charitable status. This gives us significant tax advantages:
- we would be exempt from paying VAT on donations
- in some instances, we would receive an additional 25% tax bonus.
Our websites and facilities such as the Student Helpline, are free for the use of students, teachers, schools, colleges and universities. We are seeking funding from Government Agencies, International Business & Industry.
We have also applied for grants from a number of sources, including the European Commission. An appeal for donations or sponsorship to Government Authorities, Business & Industry, has been launched throughout Europe and Asia, and will continue to 31st December 20209, in an attempt to be included in their respective funding for the 2010 - 2011 financial year.
Kind regards
Alan Cooper & Wang Bo. Directors.
Our Mission Statement says that... 'Our aim is to make comprehensive and varied learning experiences free and accesible to young people and teachers of English as a second language, throughout the world, in a way that is interesting, vibrant and entertaining, that it may enhance their educational and career opportunities.' Strategies for our Proposals and Development from 2009. see below
Report and Forecast for 2010 - 2011.
Enjoying English Limited has been established in the UK since July, 2008, with our operations in China based in Guanzhou since August, 2009.
The Enjoying English Group has been offering services and information to students and teachers in China since 2000, and as a consolidated enterprise since October, 2006. Throughout that time, it has been funded by volunteers, private resources and a small input of donations.
In line with our 'Strategies for Development', we have out-grown our limited resources; working from home and using public Internet facilities. To be able to provide continued support to our targeted market, and to be able to provide secure services which are not charged to individual visitors to our websites, we need to move on;
- obtaining suitable small office premises in the UK and China
- replacing ageing equipment with more suitable facilities
- regular expenses payments to volunteers, when appropriate.
We are actively seeking donations or sponsorship from International Companies, Government Agencies and individuals, and would welcome your support.
Estimate of Financial Expenditure for 2010 - 2011.
For Administrative purposes: Excludes financing for Red Dragon Initiatives.
Enjoying English Limited & The Red Dragon International Partnership
Strategies for Future Development from October, 2009.
It is with regret that we have to announce that we have not been able to advance arrangements with the Authorities in China sufficiently, to be able to prepare material for our proposed initiatives with students in rural areas from September, 2009.
Thorough and detailed preparation of materials, management, placements, finance, accommodation, permits / visas and staffing, are vital to the success of the projects we proposed.
Similarly, as Directors, we have to be mindful of our personal interests and developments for the immediate future.Consequently, we have to revise our Strategies for Development in the short-term and beyond.
'Enjoying English’ has made considerable and significant progress since it’s conception at a summer school in 2001.With the help and support of friends and our first Managers; Zhang Chenggang and Zhou Wenggang, it developed aims and objectives offering help, advice and a vast source of information to senior students.
The base-line of our activities has evolved and expanded since October, 2006 with the introduction of a strong and experienced Team, and strong relationships with people engaged in business, public service and industry.
Our website www.enjoyingenglish2008.orgis successfully established after 3 attempts, presently attracting more than 10,000 Chinese and South-east Asian visitors a week.On 1st May, 2009, we were only 7% short of our target of 250,000 since last summer.We projected that, with national coverage of our proposed initiatives in China , visitors would exceed 100,000 / month by September, 2009.
The ‘Help-line’ has also proved successful.Many enquiries are similar in matters related to English.Most of the personal letters express the hopes and anxieties of students, which all foreign teachers experience.
Enjoying English Limited has been established in the UK since July, 2008, and is now turning International, with the addition of a new website: www.enjoyingenglish.info .Although it has had limited impact in the UK, due to the nature of the Company and its activities in Asia, it is nonetheless, a useful holding company and base in Europe for future development.
Expansion: We are expanding our activities Internationally tailored to the specific requirements of students and teachers in those countries. In line with our Aims & Objectives, it is primarily, a source of information, offering a Help-line and support to visitors. It is not a teaching website.
Resources and Finance.‘Enjoying English’ has, and continues to be, empowered by its management of limited financial resources; although the potential through International Sponsorship is enormous.Part of our success is due to the considerable support we have received from interested organizations, and individuals who support the same general ethics as ourselves.
We are making a conserted appeal for sponsorship from November - December, 2009, forward into 2010.
Charitable status in the UK would give us substantial tax and other financial benefits.
Given the current position and world economic climate we have decided;
1. Enjoying English Limited will remain, under its present management structure.
2. Enjoying English Limited will apply to the Charities Commission for Charitable Status in the UK in the Autumn, 2009, subject to UK legal requirements.
3. Enjoying English ( China ) will be established with a permanent base in China from 1st October, 2009 in Guangzhou, as a Limited Company or registered business.It will be linked to the UK parent company, but managed independently.
4. The management of The Websites will continue as before, and its Aims & Objectives will remain the same.
5. www.enjoyingenglish2008.org will become an 'Archive' and managed in China in support of the main website.
6. Proposals for Publishing material, other than on the website in China , will be managed from the UK.
7. Active pursuit of Sponsorship Worldwide will be sought through Government Education Ministries and International Organisations.
8. Pursuit of Initiatives in rural China will be suspended indefinitely, until the position with regard to Red Dragon Initiatives is ratified, and long-term objectives can be planned and put into operation.
9. A new website for development Internationally, will be established, free for the use of students and teachers.
Red Dragon International Partnership will remain in its present form.
1. Proposed Initiatives of improvements to the educational and career opportunities for students in rural areas are suspended.
2. Initiatives, in their present or revised form, may be re-instated at any time, subject to satisfactory conditions outlined above.
As Directors of The Enjoying English Group, we have a responsibility to ensure that our management is mutually beneficial to all parties involved in our activities.
Our motives and aspirations remain the same, but it is necessary to re-evaluate our objectives within the context of our changing circumstances, to be able to make the best use of resources and stay realistically focused.
Dedication, motivation and perseverance...
'Always a pleasure...never a chore!'
ee™
Enjoying English Limited®
An Over-view
with
Alan Cooper & Wang Bo
Mission Statement. Our aim is to make comprehensive and varied learning experiences free and accessible to young people and teachers of English as a second language, throughout China and around the world, in a way that is interesting, vibrant and entertaining, that it may enhane their educational and career opportunities.
Enjoying English (International) Limited - (Company Registration Number: 06654907, Company's House, Cardiff, UK) is a company, wholly owned and managed by Alan Cooper (UK) and Wang Bo (China). All our activities are under the banner heading of 'Enjoying English' which came into existence in 2000, when I first moved to China to teach English as a second language.
I found that many problems arose, which Chinese Teachers of English (CTE's) had difficulties addressing and resolving. This was particularly the case where CTE's did not have the opportunity or benefit of teaching or studying outside China, or receiving help from natural English speakers. That is not a criticism, but due to circumstances, it is a matter of fact.
During the summers of 2000 and 2001, with the help of Chinese friends, CTE's and students, I began to write specialist Oral English courses for college and university students, the first of which were presented at Shijiazhuang Teacher's Normal University. Since then, the scope and variety of courses has broadened to include Business Courses and Special Presentations for Universities. The latest of these was launched in the summer of 2007, entitled 'Enjoying English - The Experience'.
During 2004 our first website was launched through a company in the United States, which went bust. Unfortunately, we lost all the information contained on-line, although we had copies of most of the text on paper. It was followed by the launch of a second website, during 2006; it too has folded due to technical and logistic problems. This time, we had copies of all the material we had on-line and in preparation.
My manager at the time, and now my Co-Director, Wang Bo, hit on the idea of setting up the 'Enjoying English Blog'. It was seen as a temporary measure to be able to communicate information to students and help sort out their problems. Since July, 2006, he and I have spent around 25,000 hours preparing material, making presentations and answering students problems.
With approaching half a million visitors in the first year, It has been tremendously successful; but it is necessary to consolidate our information, and create a more permanent strategy for the future and benefit of those we intended to help.
We have worked in schools, colleges and universities throughout China, as well as with the police (PSB), private and state-owned businesses and industry. During 2008, we worked with 'Ai-fly', a Beijing based company, preparing for the Olympic Volunteers Programme, headed by Li Yang of 'Crazy English' fame.
In May 2008, I returned to the UK as a temporary measure, to create the website you are now visiting. Wang Bo remains in China, where as well as managing the activities of the Enjoying English Group, he also studied a post-graduate course in Business Management, Economics, Trade & Industry, which he completed in the summer of 2009.
What drives us. As a teacher with almost 40 years experience, the single most important, satisfying and enriching factor is seeing students succeed in achieving their goals and ambitions. That is no more apparent than in China, where they are very hard-working and motivated. This is often due in part, to sacrifices their parents and family make, to pay for higher education.
Our Mission Statement says that... 'Our aim is to make comprehensive and varied learning experiences free and accesible to young people and teachers of English as a second language, throughout China and around the world, in a way that is interesting, vibrant and entertaining, that it may enhance their educational and career opportunities.'
That's a bit of a mouthful. To put it in a nut shell, we offer quality help and advice to students and teachers. Our primary aim is to increase educational and career opportunities for young people. We attempt to achieve this in 4 ways.
1. The website offers advice to students directly and provides opportunities to search an extensive range of information and help through World Wide Webs and our sponsors. Sections are clearly defined, and visitors should be able to find information quickly and easily.
2. The Student Helpline collects, correlates and answers student's problems.
3. Red Dragon Partnership Initiative & Experience provide the opportunity for people, corporations and other organisations around the world, to contribute towards achieving our aims, and financing the various programmes.
4. A number of publications are in preparation. The first is 'Enjoying English - Problems Solved', completed and awaiting a publisher. It is extracted in 4 parts under 'Enjoying English'. Publishers should e-mail: enjoyingenglishpublishing@yahoo.co.uk
People. We are immensely fortunate to have a Team of highly experienced professional people who can contribute their expertise to help young people. They usually offer their services free of charge, claiming only moderate expenses.
Details of The Team may be found elsewhere. Our proposed expansion will, I hope, encourage input from writers and correspondents around the world, further broadening their own and others experiences.
And finally... We wish to thank the people who have encouraged us in the past; made suggestions, criticisms and submitted contributions. We are particularly indebted to our Lawyers: CMLO - Peter Jiang (Beijing), EMD Law (St Leonards-on-Sea - Business), Langdon Stles & Coles (Hastings - Charity), Barclays Bank and Bank of China, The EU Commission, Companies House (UK), The Charity Commission (UK), Business Links (UK), Company Formations 247 (UK), Hotfrog (UK) and Daily Internet Services Ltd of Nottingham (UK).
To achieve our goals and be successful, we need continuing support from everyone.
Alan Cooper & Wang Bo.
July, 2009.
Notes: Correspondence from our visitors have been received from China, Mongolia, India, Russia, countries in Europe, the Middle East, United States and Canada. We anticipate that visitors to this website will exceed 1 million during the first year, at the present rate of increase.
2. Red Dragon International Partnership Update: 26.10.26.
Thank you for your interest in the Red Dragon International Partnership. Full details of the The Enjoying English Partnership Initiative for sponsors, and The Enjoying English Partnership Experience for students, individuals and smaller groups/organisations, follow the introduction to our Aims and Objectives below.
We also aim to support the Chinese Government with improvements for students in the Countryside, where incomes and learning facilities fall far short of thier counterparts in western countries. We hope to place VCD learning programmes in some estimated 400,000 primary schools throughout China between 2010 - 2017.
The Government in China has been running a programme of village support since 2003. Other provinces have followed their lead with the help of post-graduate students. In 2008, the scheme was extended to cover all provinces and regions in China over a 3 - 5 year period.
Sponsorship
www.enjoyingenglish.info 'Probably the largest source of information for students in the world!'
We are inviting sponsorship from International Companies, Corporations and Organisations who have an interest in making information readily available to students, and who may be connected in any way with their everyday lives. Details below or e-mail : enjoyingenglishinfo@yahoo.com.
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Enjoying English (International) Limited® 'Dedication, motivation and perseverance'
Our Aims & Objectives: To make comprehensive and varied learning experiences free and accessible to young people and teachers of English as a second language throughout the world, in a way that is interesting, vibrant and entertaining, that it may enhance their educational and career opportunities.
Goal: To encourage interest through sponsorship, to improve facilities available to primary schools in rural areas of China, with the provision of VCD study programmes and equipment. It is in the hope that by the time students transfer to junior middle school (13 years), they will have confidence and a basic understanding of speaking English naturally. Of course, students have differing levels of ability, but, if they all have the same basic grounding, it would be a positive step during the transition stage.
We believe this is the most positive, significant contribution the Enjoying English Team can make to help the Chinese Government meet it's commitments to rural areas.
Information from the Ministry of Education (Beijing - latest available figures 2006) say that there are more than 600,000 primary schools in China of which 400,114 are in rural locations. That number will decline during 2008 - 2016 due to replacement, modernisation, re-building and amalgamation programmes.
Visitors to our earlier websites and the Enjoying English Blogs have numbered in their thousands since 2004. We are not able to say what proportion are new visitors, but we can anticipate that, at the present rate of growth, by April 2009, visitors will be 0.25 million, and 0.5 million by Christmas, doubling during 2010.
In China alone, during 2007 - 2008, there were 13.5 million students in Higher Education - Colleges and Universiities. Government forecasts predict an increase during 2008 - 2009 to 14.2 million, a year on year increase of 5+%. The significant factor for us is that 5.2 million students in Grade 1 have to study a comulsory course of English during their first year, including Oral English. We estimate that there are around 104,000 Chinese Teachers of English in Higher Education throughout China.
At the moment correspondence shows that visitors are from China, Mongolia, Russia, Europe, the Middle East, United States and Canada.
Method: It will be achieved through a mixture of sponsorship, business initiatives and enterprise.
The Partnership: Alan Cooper - Executive Director of Enjoying English Limited and creator of 'Enjoying English'
Wang Bo - Managing Director of Enjoying English Limited
Du Zheng & Cheng Jing - Translators for Enjoying English Publications
The Team: as published on The Team page, consists of people from different professions with varied experiences, dedicated to help, support, create ideas and offer friendship under the Aims & Objectives of The Partnership, established 1st October, 2006.
Disney's Magic English is an excellent 26 part programme for learning English. Using an inter-active series of ordinary, everyday situations - with animation, practice and comprehension exercises, it contains more than 1,100 words and phrases for normal conversation. This is far greater than any other VCD learning programme currently available.
Enjoying English Partnership Initiative is inviting International Companies, Corporations, Organisations, Trusts and Groups, interested in supporting our work to improve access to learning experiences and information for students in rural China.
As well as the website, we hope to be able to provide around 400,000 rural primary schools in China with VCD English Learning programmes, televisions and VCD/DVD equipment as necessary over a 7 year period from 2010 - September 2017. To achieve that aim, we need to raise a considerable amount of money over 7 years - see ACCOUNTS.
Sponsorship Deal - Terms & Conditions apply.
Your company/organisation etc., logo will be prominantly displayed on our website for a period of 13 (thirteen) months from the date of insertion.
A link will be provided from your logo direct to your website providing students with direct access to your information. The advantage over normal advertising is that your updated information is always available to visitors. We cannot change details on your website, or have to constantly update your details on ours. The feature is 'Click the Link'.
1. The Sponsorship Deal is available for 13 months from the date of insertion
2. We will display your Company logo prominantly on the website.
3. The sponsorship donation will be made by direct transfer to the designated account
4. You will e-mail details of your payment to eeaction@rocketmail.com with the details requested above.
5. On acceptance, you will be notified of the date of insertion. If your application is declined, a full refund will be made.
6. For legal reasons, we are not able to accept sponsorship which promotes political or religious activities.
7. Sponsors undertake not to promote acivities, services, products or ideas which are considered to be deflamatory, illegal, subversive, obscene or damaging to visitors to our website or to The Company.
8. Should Sponsors break either of the conditions at 6 and/or 7, their information will be suspended or removed. No refund will be given.
Do you want to be part of the Enjoying English Partnership Experience? We bet you do!
We are inviting you, your friends, and anyone else for that matter, to 'Join the Experience', by making donations, however small.
Whatever you can...whenever you can. To...
Wang Bo. C/o Western Union e-mail: your name, address, telephone number and Transaction No to: enjoyingenglishinfo@yahoo.com
Information on our websites is free for your personal use or study. We are relaxing Copyright restrictions, except to link to other's sites via 'Click the Link', and for commercial use.
We will use your money to improve conditions and facilities for learning to speak English naturally in rural areas, to primary schools with VCD study courses, tv sets and players, if necessary. This is in the hope that, by the time students go to junior middle-school, they will have increased confidence and understanding of speaking English. We believe this is the best contribution we can make to help our commitment to young people.
Help us, help them.Thank you. Alan Cooper & Wang Bo: Directors.
3. IMPROVING OPPORTUNITIES for STUDENTS in RURAL AREAS. Updated: 20.10.2009.
Directors's note: One of the reasons I came to China in 2000 was to make some contribution to the career and educational opportunities of students, however small. It is extremely difficult to make a positive impact, for exactly the reasons outlined in the article reproduced below from 'China Daily'.
It is for those reasons, I decided to concentrate my efforts on two projects: The first is the publication of a series of 'guides' - 'Enjoying English' - for senior and university students, dealing with problems they face learning English as a second language.
Second, is support for students through the establishment of this website and The Student Helpline. Incidentally, the profits from the publications will be re-invested for the management of this website. I have been fortunate to meet many people who think the same way and have the same aspirations for students in China.
The first project has been successful to a degree, although for budgeting reasons, we are still waiting for a publisher to commit to taking on the work. 'Enjoying English - Problems Solved' is complete, and extracted on the page of the same name on this website. It has been tried and tested with students, and their reaction has been very favourale. Part 2, 'Enjoying English - Playing With Words' is awaiting final completion and translation into Chinese.
The second of the objectives has been hugely successful, with the support of a large number of students, and other professional people. Information on this website is tailored to their suggestions and requirements. Our intentions have expanded to two further projects; the wider development of this website internationally, originally conceived several years ago, which has taken until 2008 to become firmly established, and the establishment of The Red Dragon International Partnership.
Red Dragon is still being developed as a long-term project and we hope, will be launched effectively during 2010. It is designed to improve the educational and career opportunities of young people from rural areas, by improving the teaching of English in primary schools. It is an enormous project, which will take several years to complete, but I think it is attainable with support from the Chinese Government and International Companies, due to the fact that students in China are keen to exploit opportunities they are offered; have ambition and are dedicated to the development of their own future prospects and that of their country.
As a teacher with 40 years experience, my job saisfaction has always been derived from seeing students attain their goals and ambitions, through what often appears to be a jungle of obstacles.
Alan Cooper.
September, 2009. revised from December, 2006.
I have thought many times about the problems students from rural areas and poorer urban districts have with educational opportunities. It is a problem recognised by Central Government and one which they are trying to address. Clearly, it is an enormous task, and I believe they have an unenviable road ahead.
The problem is compounded by lack of money from Central Government and within Provincial Governments. That is not so much a criticism, but it is a matter of fact, partially brought about by China's astonishing rate of growth - around 9%+ year on year since I arrived in China in 2000. There is a need and commitment to make improvements in other areas such as Health, Social Security, as well as coping with the problems of migrant workers and an aging population. These are problems all developing nations have to face.
In the UK our social, agricultural and industrial revolutions or developments have taken place slowly since about 1750. Education for all was not available until the 1948 Education Act, yet it is still beset with problems. In China, developments have taken place rapidlyand dramatically over only 30 years or so.
In the mid 1990's, the UK Government replaced grants for college and university students with a system of low cost loans. It had a major impact in two areas:
- thousands of students have graduated, carrying with them, hugh debts. That is a situation which I and many others, found unacceptable.
- many gifted and talented students chose not to take up further education due to the expense, resulting in the fact that those qualities were lost to society and the nation. That is an even more unacceptable waste of human resourses.
Central Government in China has initiated two schemes to tackle educational opportunities for young people in less developed areas. The first was a two year project of voluntary work by 2,000 post graduate students in the south west-Sichuan Province amongst others, in 2004. The second was initiated in 2006 in villages around Beijing. The two schemes are very similar, in that post graduate students are assigned to a village for 2 years working alongside village leaders. They receive a subsistence allowance, accommodation and food and the promise of a job in Government on the prosperous east coast, upon completion of the project. The question arises as to whether the provision is adequate, and if it will work.
Referring to the first part, and bearing in mind the enormity of the problem China faces, clearly the provision is woefully inadequate. However, bearing in mind the economics of the situation, one can only conclude that anything is better than nothing.
As for the question, 'Will it work?' I imagine that, as the Government decided to implement the Beijing project after the south-western venture had concluded, then there must have been some degree of success. I imagine too, it depends on how successfully individual students handled their particular situation, as they would have inevitably been working at odds with traditional practices. If it works, it is likely the Government will extend the programme to other regions.*1
The British Council has beeen involved in similar schemes in the south west based on a training centre in Wuhan during the summers of 2003 - 5. The task was to train Chinese Teachers of English to train other CTE's in the rural areas.
Significantly important is the role played by so called 'Foreign Experts'. My views on this are very strong. The basis of the idea is for foreigners, native English speakers from abroad, to come to China to help provide and improve opportunities for Chinese students.
In the vast majority of cases, it doesn't work because mos'teachers' are post-graduate students, often with qualifications un-related to teaching. Most are not qualified teachers and almost all have no teaching experience. Some can barely speak the language themselves. I know of only 2 teachers in a situation similar to mine, having been in China for a lengthy period, and only 3 others who have worked here regularly over the past 5 years or more.
'Foreign Experts' are usually perceived by schools and colleges as 'mascots', to enhance the position of establishments with a sound financial background. Corrupt or illegal practices are rife, especially where unlicensed schools and colleges attempt to engage the services of a foreigner. They show no regard for the legal position of the foreign teacher or employee. Breaking the law is serious enough in itself. For a foreigner, it can have serious consequenses regarding their visa status.
The single positive effect of a foreigner's presence is that it stimulates and motivates students. My experiences from friends and contacts in rural areas and smaller provincial towns is that students motivation to learn English is their biggest problem. The presence of a foreign teacher in a school has an impact much greater than the few days they may be present. Students and teachers are motivated, and the experience is remembered for many after the 'foreign friend' has left.
For that reason, I think it is wise to keep the 'Foreign Experts' thing going, but as it's benefits fall far below the considerable financial costs, I think schools and colleges should accept full responsibility for the engagement of 'Foreign Experts'. If they cannot afford, or are unwilling to pay, then so be it. There are hundreds of worthy schools throughout the country who aren't licensed, and couldn't afford to pay for 'an Expert' if they were.
My view is that Provincial Education Departments need to be able to recruit experienced Foreign Experts for an extended period of at least 2 or 3 years, rather than the 6 - 10 month contracts that currently exist. Perhaps even the engagement of couples, as many teachers are often married to teachers. This measure would provide stability and continuity, and assist strategic planning.
It is necessary to attract good teachers, with experience. There are few people in my position, with no family, no house to look after or pay for, and no debts on houses, credit cards or consumer goods, such as cars. However, if a foreigner can accept a position for 2 or 3 years, arrangements can be made to resolve financial issues. Agents can be employed to let and manage the family home. Banks can handle or re-schedule credit arrangements.
Foreign Experts under this system should be directly under the employment and management of the Provincial Education Department. They should be used at the department's discression, planning constructively for the future, assisting with work which is most urgent in areas, regions, and towns where it is most needed, holding lectures, seminars and short courses.
I believe that, if a Province or number of Provincial Educational Departments were in a position to set up or introduce a system such as I have suggested, it would work. It would improve educational opportunities for young people in areas which are financially limited and would improve economic and social stability at the same time, because there would be less migration of skilled workers to the cities, to be closer to shools which are perceived to be 'better'.*2
One thing is certain; the eyes of Central Government and every other province in the country, would be on the Provinces which took up the experimental banner, and would follow suit, if it was successful. That would provide 'The Great Leap Forward' educationally in the shortest time and at minimal expense. In the unlikely event that it failed, there would be a few red faces, but at least they could turn round and say, 'Well! We tried!'
Alan Cooper.
March, 2007.
*1Since I wrote this piece two years ago, similar projects have been initiated in many cities, regions and provinces in China. Further initiatives are on-going.
*2 In my experience, it is common for families that can afford to do so, to move from their local town to cities in order to benefit their children's education. Where this happens, I think it is reasonable to conclude that it may have a negative economic effect of the home town, as important skills from people who are financially better off, are removed. It would be better to retain those skills in the town by providing better opportunities in the local area.
4. Harmful ‘key school’ system must end.
from 'China Daily' - 2006.02.27.
At long last, we are close to a legislative response to one of the most glaring examples of State-sponsored inequality. If the on-going session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress endorses a revised Law on Compulsory Education, which is more likely than not, the decades-old designation of 'key schools' and 'key classes' will become a legal taboo.
The revised law includes clauses prohibiting educational authorities from distinguishing schools or classes into 'key' and 'non-key' ones.
The practice dates back to the 1950's, when the young People’s Republic was in desperate need of professional talents to rebuild the nation. 'Key schools' were set up to identify and prepare the most promising candidates for higher levels of education.
It was not bad as an efficient expedient to quench the nation’s thirst for talent. But such efficiency comes at the price of equality, an essential value our basic education should have cultivated and held dear.
There has been a lot of talk about the so-called 'Matthew Effect' in our compulsory education - namely, the rich get richer and the poor poorer.
In cities and countryside alike, educational authorities designate some schools, and in schools, some classes, as 'key' units, to either boost performance at exams, showcase government achievements in promoting education, or both.
The natural course of evolution is that schools stronger in financial conditions, teaching staff, and academic reputations are designated 'key' and become stronger with the backing of more official assistance. The 'non-key' ones, which are badly in need of a helping hand from the government, get less attention and less support, and become less competitive and less attractive.
Such a mechanism has never lacked apologists. Educational authorities are fond of convenient image polishers. Parents who count on the next generation to achieve great things and have the money, covet a place at a 'key' school or class for their children. For schools, a 'key school' sticker means a lot more - in addition to government funds, they can levy exorbitant fees on parents who are anxious to enroll their children. There are plenty of them willing to do whatever it takes to send their children to a school or class with a 'key' label.
The Ministry of Education issued a ban on 'key schools' in mid-1990s in order to address irrational distribution of public resources in compulsory education, but it was largely ignored, because it was toothless.
The designation of “key schools” and “key classes” is a major cause of a dangerously vicious cycle currently at work in our public school system. It features outright discrimination.
The goal of compulsory education is to provide equal opportunities for all citizens of school age to receive the basic education needed for fine citizenship. The government’s role in compulsory education is not to cultivate and identify the cream of the crop. Instead, it is obliged to guarantee all school-age children equal access to basic education.
The 'key school' mechanism, however, subjects our children to differentiated treatment at a very early age. It mercilessly throws the majority of our youngsters into disadvantage based on questionable judgments. Besides brewing a broad sense of deprivation, the arrangement has proved itself a hot-bed for corruption.
It is a shameful mistake that such a morally defective formula has not only been sustained, but is taken for granted.
The amendments to the Law on Compulsory Education bring hope because it may correct a historic wrong. Its promise to tilt government financing in favor of rural schools and underprivileged urban schools is a prescription of fairness in our compulsory education system. January, 2006.
5. The Approach In Perspective
Support for Students, Support for Teachers & The Village are the three main areas which need consideration, bearing in mind that there are limited financial resources available.
Support for Students at college and university level internationally is, in general terms, covered by the existence of the Enjoying English websites, the information they contain and is in preparation, the Student Helpline, as well as the links it offers to other free sources of reference and study.
Our decision to include 'Hi Kids' for younger students was in response to a need to offer help to those involved in preparatory English study before transfer to junior middle school education.
Support for Teachers is available through the website, with references to outside resources, and with the Red Dragon Initiative and co-operation with The Walt Disney Company and their 'Magic English' programme. However, there is a need, particularly in the countryside where resources are limited and teacher moral is frequently low, to inject a regeneration of ideas, support and enthusiasm.
Our advice to students is, 'Look and Listen'. We think a nationwide campaign with media coverage along a similar line such as, 'We are looking, and we are listening' is feasible, and logistically possible over a long-term period, with minimal financial commitment.
Provinces are sub-divided administratively into Counties which, in turn have principal towns or cities. For example, Hebei Province is made up of 70+ counties, and there are 14 major cities.
A series of supportive seminars / workshops or lectures, free and open to teachers, held in major urban centres, would make a considerable difference to the moral of teachers. Whether they should be as In Service Days during school time, or at weekends / vacations is open to debate. Back-up through newspapers or television would re-enforce objectives, and make information accessible to those who would not be able to attend.
Administration should be through the Provincial Education Departments or their delegated representatives, as outlined in my article, 'Improving Opportunities for Students in Rural Areas'(above).
The Village is focus of communities in China, perhaps more so than in western culture. Experiences with recent two year+ projects with Health Initiatives had a surprising impact, and revealed 'lost talents' within the participating communities. Naturally, the utilisation of skills and experience was reflected in the overall budget. Corrupt practices by local officials were not eliminated, but were significantly reduced, as people were working towards a common cause for the benefit of their communities.
We think that similar practices would be revealed if support was available for Improvements in Educational Opportunities within those communities. It links with our own objectives, as well as with Government Initiatives for Graduates in every village, and it fulfills one of our philosophies with students that people are to a large extent...'Masters of their own Destiny.', ie., they benefit from their own efforts and actions.
All initiatives, ideas and projects require careful planning, and co-operation between interested parties who are determined to make improvements work, within the limitations imposed by outside factors.
Enjoying English is committed to the Aims & Objectives outlined in our Mission Statement. We hope to be able to pursue our own Initiatives over a long-term period, and would like to help the Chinese Government with Improving Educational Opportunities for people in the Countryside.
Alan Cooper & Wang Bo.
January, 2009.
6. Pilot Scheme - A Trial
Having considered a number of points in general; the size of the completed vision, fund-raising, the logistics of putting an ambitious scheme into operation across a Country as large as China, and taking into account the Aims, Objectives and Requirements of The Ministry set out by Government on their websites,www.moe.edu.cn/englishandwww.english.gov.cn , we think that a trial scheme may be advisable for a period of 12 - 24 months.
If it were to prove successful, the scheme could be amended, modified or re-structured, and put in place in every rural settlement in China. It is necessary to adopt a target time-line for both a localised operation, and a National scheme. Without such a structure, it would be difficult to create a schedule, or assess its effectiveness.
Provisionally, we looked at a five year plan for the Nationwide venture. However, if it were considered better to concentrate on a localised project first, our long-term objectives would need to be modified.
Short- term - 1 or 2 years. Operating from a regional base with co-operation and guidance from the Provisional Education Office, we would concentrate on between 5 and 10 rural junior schools, and their respective junior middle school(s).
We would:
- co-operate and liaise with the Provincial Education Office
- offer and monitor an oral learning programme of English to junior schools
- see how facilities in schools may be improved with the help of local amenities and people
- co-operate with junior middle schools and assess the advantages and improvements activities in junior schools would have on the transfer of students to middle school education at age 13+.
- evaluate the difficulties encountered and the need for modifications of the scheme.
Middle-term 2 - 5 years. Having recognised problems and shortfalls of the scheme as above, modifications and improvements would be made to expand the scheme to other districts within the province or to other disadvantaged areas.
Long-term 5 years+. By this time, the Government's 'Graduate for every village' scheme will hopefully be operational. If the above are successful, it should be able to utilise that facility throughout the country.
We think a possible suitable starting point may be based near Xinyang in Hubei Province, perhaps using Xinyang as a centre and working outwards, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel.
We would need:
1. A base / office from which to work including, Internet / computer access for preparation of work and to be able to proceed with fund-raising.
2. Access to suitable accommodation on or near the work place.
3. Agreement and co-operation from the Authorities to be able to work, travel and conduct business.
4. Publicity as appropriate from the media to promote and support the work and facilitate fund-raising.
5. Necessary permissions / visas to be able to plan and carry out the work on a long-term basis.
We are convinced that we have the motivation, expertise and other skills to be able to see these proposals through to a successful conclusion. For us, it would be a tough but rewarding and satisfying experience. For students, we are sure that it would be an enormous benefit to their educational and career opportunities, and ultimately, it would benefit their Country in general terms.
Alan Cooper & Wang Bo.
September, 2009.
7. Accounts. Updated:26.09.2009.Under review
Note:The figures below were Updated on 20.08.2008. However, due to the current world economic turn-down they need adjustment, which is under review.Our Stategies for Development have been reviewed. Our Forecasts for 2010 - 2011 were published at the end of September, 2009.
The exchange rate between the £ (GBP) and Chinese yuan (RMB) has fallen 40% since Janury, 2008.
Although most of the expenses are paid in RMB, until arrangements can be made to encourage sponsorship directly into the Bank of China, in China, money is transferrred in GBP from the UK through Western Union.
If we can obain Charitable Status in the UK, each donation will attract preferential UK Government funding through tax incentives. However, we currently have to pay 15% VAT on donations, until the end of December, 2009. These matter are urgently under discussion with our Accountant and Bankers.
A summary of Accounts will be published on the Accounts page from April, 2010.
Bankers: Barclays Hastings. UK.
Accountants: Bachelor & Co., Hastings. UK.
Lawyers: EMB LAW, Warrior Square, St Leonards-on-Sea. UK. (Business), Young, Coles & Langdon. Langham House, Albert Road, Hastings. TN34.1QT. UK. (Charity), C&M Law Office. Beijing. CHINA. (International)
The Project. We are seeking sponsors to support the funding of 'The Enjoying English Group' in conjunction with other business initiatives.
Our intention through the Red Dragon International Partnership, The Enjoying English Partnership Initiative and Enjoying English Partnership Experience, is to make sources of information available to students in colleges and universities free of charge. Our intention is that it will improve their overall educational and career opportunities at minimum cost.
We also aim to support the Chinese Government with improved opportunities for students in the Countryside, where incomes and learning facilities fall far short of their counter-parts in western countries. We hope to place VCD learning programmes in some estimated 400,000* primary schools throughout China, between 2009 - 2014.
The course, with accompanying teachers notes in Chinese, consists of 26 inter-active lessons called 'Magic English' and is produced by The Walt Disney Company. It contains about 1,100 words and phrases in common use, for everyday situations inluding; greetings, food and western festivals, such as birthdays and Christmas. This will ensure that, when students from rural communities transfer to Junior Middle School at the age of 13, they will have experienced the same level of speaking natural English, albeit American English!
The Government in China has been running a programme of village support, begining in Sichuan Province, since 2003. Other provinces have followed their lead with the help of post-graduate students. In 2008, the scheme was extended to cover all provinces and regions in China, over a 3 - 5 year period. Our aim is to be able to mirror that time-scale of development.
* figures ae based on Ministry of Education returns for 2005 - 2006, reducing, due to re-building and amalgamation of schools.
The Projection. Over a seven year period from 2010 - 2017, with the first awards being presented in 2010, the division of incoming funds will be distributed as follows:
Provision for the project - purchase of VCD learning programmes...........50%
Re-investment and running costs; including rent, utilities, equipment.....25%
Salaries and sundry wages..................................................................25%
Targets for 2009 - 2010 - 10 Awards @ £25.............................................................£250
Targets for 2010 - 2011 - 1,000 Awards @ £25....................................................£25,000
Targets for 2011 - 2012 - 10,000 Awards @ £25.................................................£250,000
Targets for 2012 - 2013 - 50,000 Awards @ £25..............................................£1.25millon
Targets for 2013 - 2014 - 75,000 Awards @ £25..............................................£1.875 million
Targets for 2014 - 2015 - 75,000 Awards @ £25..............................................£1.875 million
Targets for 2015 - 2016 - 100,000 Awards @ £25............................................£2.5 million
Targets for 2016 - 2017 - 100,000 Awards @ £25............................................£2.5 million
Total.........................................................................................................£10.275 million
From my previous fund-raising experiences, and with the present world economic climate, I estimate that it should be possible to raise £2 million a year from corporate business once the scheme is shown to be successful. The first two years will be low, until the objectives are proven.
As the scheme expands, we will necessarily have to employ more staff for logistical tasks and administration.
Projections have increased by about 40% since 2006 and have been adjusted upwards due to the world financial crisis, anticipating a continued decline over the period. AC. 2009.10.01.
Development. ABOUT US gives an outline of our development since 2003. We have been actively increasing the scale of our operations since October, 2006, and set up a Limited Company in the UK in July, 2008 for a number of reasons, principally that when we achieve Charitable status there will be a significant increase in the amount of funding we have available, due to a number of tax incentives available from the UK Government.
In 2010, we hope to be able to transfer the bulk of the administration back to China, where we hope to be able to continue all aspects of the work over an indefinite period, towards 2020. This includes the continued expansion and development of the Enjoying English website, the resumption of a series of published guides for the benefit of students, presentation lectures and courses for colleges, universities and business within the State and Private sector.
We have been based in Shijiahuang, Hebei Province, for most of the last few years, with Members of The Team, throughout China, the UK and the United States. Our permanent HQ in China moved to Guanzhou in August, 2009 Alan Cooper & Wang Bo.
October, 2009.
Editors note: We welcome comments on this Presentation. Please e-mail:enjoyingenglishinfo@yahoo.comand write 'Overview' in the subject box.
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Contact Us:Up-dated: 11.10.2009
Welcome to…
Enjoying English (International)Limited. Company Registration No. 06654907. Charity Number: awaiting confirmation
All Enquiries: enjoyingenglishinfo@yahoo.com by direct link at the top of each page. Please insert the appropriate 'Title' in the SUBJECT BOX to help our staff deal with your enquiry quickly.
The e-mail contact information applies to all our services. For convenience - different time-zones and availability of staff, please use E-mails, which are checked daily, and dealt with as soon as possible.
Correspondents, Contributors, Letters to the Editor and Problems: for students and individuals interested in submitting a monthly Newsletter for inclusion on the website. Also for visitors submitting articles / features / news / information for inclusion on the website. General letters, comments, problems and suggestions.
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Sponsors: for International Companies / Corporations, Government Departments, Charitable Trusts or Foundations and others considering supporting the websites. Terms & Conditions apply. see below
Tell a friend.
'Always a pleasure - never a chore!'
Thank you.
Alan Cooper & Wang Bo.
ee™
Donations & Sponsorship.
Our funding comes from private resources and business activiities. We are seeking sponsors to support the funding ofwww.enjoyingenglish.info and www.enjoyingenglish2008.org as an 'Archive', in conjunction with other business initiatives.
Our intention is to make sources of information available to students in colleges and universities free of charge. We anticipate that it will improve their overall educational and career opportunities at minimum cost.
We also aim to support the Chinese Government with improvements for students in the Countryside, where incomes and learning facilities fall far short of their counterparts in western countries. We hope to palce VCD learning programmes in some estimated 400,000 primary schools throughout China between 2008 - 2013.
The Government in China has been running a programme of village support since 2003. Other provinces have followed their lead with the help of post-graduate students. In 2008, the scheme was extended to cover all provinces and regions in China over a 3 - 5 year period.
Donations are payable by direct transfer in £ (GBP), €uros, $US, RMB and other currencies by agreement to:
1. We welcome donations from individuals, small companies, corporations and organisations.
2. Long-term Sponsorship is also welcomed. Arrangements would be made on an individual basis, and Terms & Conditions would apply. We would display your Company logo prominently on the website, with a direct link to yours.
3. We undertake responsibility to rigorously check that information, articles, web addresses and links to other websites are accurate, suitable for visitors to our site, and within the boundaries if our code of ethics. We cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies on external links.
4. For legal reasons, we are not able to accept articles or sponsorship which promotes political or religious activities.
5. We will not promote material, activities, services, products or ideas which are considered to be subversive, obscene, offensive, abusive, indecent, defamitory, threatening, illegal, or in any way damaging to visitors to our websites. Contributors or sponsors who breach this condition will have their information suspended or removed. No refunds will be given.
