Clubbing Together in Pursuit of English

"These people must be mad," I thought grimly, searching in a vicious wind for a new school of English along wide, deserted avenues still bearing the scars of construction work. I was in a new suburb about a mile East of the Holiday Inn Lido Hotel. Even the taxi drivers were still unfamiliar with the area. So who on earth was going to traipse all the way out here, even if its new language center was as good as rave notices proclaimed?

I could not have been more off-course in my agitation. Unkind, even. De-frosting inside the aptly named Hello! Language Center over a strong brew of tea, I soon perceived an enlightened, razor-sharp business sense behind the venture, and a surprising, refreshing attitude towards teaching. "Surprising� because, after all, what's the big deal in yet another English school in Beijing? Chief consultant Robin Howlett quickly put me right. "This is not a traditional school,"he explained. "It's a club. This is where children and adults come for a good time and to learn English while having fun."

Hardly, then, an academy for the rigidly enforced learning of the Three Rs. The center, open from 9am to 9pm, leaves these areas to conventional schools. Young English-learning pupils usually attend Hello! Language Center around 4pm after school, with adults studying at different times of the day.

Howlett, the center's ideas man, is an English Sinologist who was among the wave of graduates and pioneering entrepreneurs who came to China in the early 90s. Some opened bars, others found fulfillment in different enterprises or teaching. Li Yi, named Feli on her business cards, is the center's managing director and biz-whizz. A widely traveled young Beijinger, she has come home to roost, teaming up with Howlett to give English teaching in the city a potent new look.

Literally, too. The center's interior, for example, reflects thorough knowledge of color psychology. The rainbow palette provides students with an inspirational and relaxing environment, making it fun just to be here. Not that the prime reason for their being so ever takes second place.

Classrooms are beautifully decorated, especially those for the younger children. Large internal windows look onto the central area and corridors, so they never feel isolated or boxed in.

But why is Hello! Language Center located so far from the acknowledged centers of Beijing academia? Instead of casting a marketing net over the whole city, Howlett and Feli have, with considerable nous, limited themselves to the 19 pristine new apartment blocks and their 20,000 youngish residents which, at this stage of development, constitute Wongjing New Town.

These people are among Beijing's affluent movers and shakers who pursue, and can afford, their own lifestyle. The language center's promotion is confined to the local CRC supermarket, where all residents get their groceries. While doing so, they can view the center's special permanent exhibition -as much an attention-grabber as any special offer on CRC's wine shelves.

Twice weekly, the center invites potential clients to a presentation. For local residents it's a short run, a far cry from the long haul to schools and language institutes in the city proper. Learning English on your doorstep, as it were. And it works out well. In its first month, the center recruited 60 adult and child students.

Robin insists on maintaining a very high standard of teaching, albeit in a fun-club atmosphere. The center employs only native English speakers who are well qualified teachers in their own right. Based on a reputable series of textbooks, the curriculum has 13 levels, but teachers are encouraged to be as creative as possible in their methods. The books, in fact, are used only as backup or for reference.

Students spend 70 percent of class-time just conversing under supervision. Classes are deliberately small, some with only five students with a maximum of 15. Above all, Howlett is determined to maintain a "quality environment" Students and teachers, he said, must feel good just being there. "Soon it will be even better, because we will have a coffee shop to further promote informality and thus more rapid learning of English. And in Summer there will be a special balcony where students can hang out and chat freely."

Because the center is designed as a club, members enjoy privileges such as parties, evenings when they can watch films not usually seen in China, outings and other activities. Whatever the pursuit, only English is spoken. Language being an expression of culture, much work surrounds cultural differences.

Students can attend as many classes as they wish, all teaching and other activities being covered by membership fees. Howlett described the fee system as similar to that of a gymnasium, with students signing up for a year at a time or for single courses. The former is 3,000 to 4,000 yuan per year.

I watched a small group of children having fun learning English in a colorful classroom more reminiscent of a playroom. Mothers looked on proudly through a big window as a young teacher skillfully commanded the rapt attention of her charges. Lucky children of young Chinese parents who are creating their own luck, one couldn't help thinking. Parents who recognize the future importance of English language skills to their youngsters.