Taking China by storm
By Kent Hill
Photos by Yao Fan

007, 一个快乐而且充满激情的英国绅士, 拥有一口比BBC播音员更标准、更纯正的英文. 他愿意走遍中国每个角落给中国学生纠正语音语调, 他认为一个人的语音语调就是他的长相, 语音语调好的人就有自信, 学英语就往往能够成功. 007想让所有中国学生感受到学习英语的乐趣, 他的口头禅就是: Learning must be fun 007是<疯狂英语>杂志雅信达英语网络电台的主持人. 同时, 也是一位著名的企业培训师, 曾培训过索尼、迪斯尼的高层管理人员. 他游历过107个国家, 见识广博, 受过克林顿和曼德拉总统的接见. 七月初来厦, 记者亲身感受了这位英国绅士的魅力.

Who is he?
If you have ever wondered what it takes to be a true English gentleman then you should definitely check out this extraordinary character who goes solely by the name "007" (Ling Ling Qi). I recently had the pleasure to meet this passionate and charming fellow and was thoroughly impressed. He has not only been in China for over nine years on business but has also very recently become devoted to a whole new cause. About four months ago he teamed up with the well-known English learning publication, "Crazy English" and has been fervently(热诚地) sharing a refreshing common-sense approach to learning English.

Prior to meeting this man I heard he was an expert in his field and expected to find a professor type wearing a suit but instead was greeted by a very approachable warm person who was shockingly easy to talk to. As soon as he began to speak, everyone's ears in the room perked(竖起来) up and after that all attention was on him. However, the remarkable thing was that even though everyone had their attention completely focused on this guru(大师) they all seemed totally relaxed and there was no sense of struggle to concentrate. When he talks, you just want to listen because what he is saying makes sense and you can tell that he really believes with all of his heart in everything that comes out of his mouth.

Something I found especially interesting about 007 was his very unique background experience in business and travel. He was at one time top management trainer of Sony Company, has had his own businesses, met President Clinton and Nelson Mandela and has been to over 107 different countries! Something else I found quite peculiar was that he has retired three times in the past. Luckily enough for the English learners in China he has decided not to call it quits quite yet and he's not going to until he's accomplished what he's trying to do now.

What's his aim?
When 007 first arrived in China and discovered the level of English that was here he was "disappointed". He wasn't disappointed with the people but rather the way in which they had been taught throughout their educational career. The education system in China teaches Chinese students the English they need in order to pass an exam, which frustrated him because there are no exams in real communication. It also frustrated him because exams are boring and that is one thing that he strongly believes learning English should not be. His main goal here is "not to interfere with the Chinese education system but rather advise them and help them", which makes English learning more exciting, enjoyable and effective. "Education to me is everyday of your life. If they [Chinese students] can go to school or university everyday and enjoy their lessons of learning English, then I've accomplished what I've tried to do", he remarked when talking about what he hopes to do here.

This special agent of English is the first businessman to come to China who wants "for the first time ever to make some money but give the people more than they have ever had before". He's not afraid of making money but he's also not afraid to give people something priceless in return. When people pay him they can be proud to give him their money because they get something back that is so special and wonderful that they never had that opportunity before.

How does he do it?
There is no secret in his method of teaching English nor is there any special trick one must learn. He simply teaches topics which are interesting, fun, exciting and humorous. Through the use of enjoyable topics he makes it much easier for students to learn because instead of having to fight to pay attention, they are genuinely interested in learning the material. If the student has a real drive to learn what is being taught and to understand and participate, then it's much easier for their mind to bind with the concepts. Think about it, if one finds something to be fun and interesting they will continue doing that thing voluntarily and that's what 007 does; he makes learning English fun.

007's system of learning English definitely works but you don't have to take his word for it, look at the results. He started his English campaign about four months ago and just in the last month alone has already published five books, been on tons of TV shows, magazines, newspapers and has his own daily internet radio show that has grown to over 6,000 members in only two and a half months. On top of this he receives hundreds of emails everyday from fans all over China thanking him for his help or asking him questions and no matter how small the question is, he answers every email. So why not test this new and mysterious agent of the English world and see if what he claims is true. Ask him a question at: ask007@englishvod.net and wait for his reply or check out the website at: www.englishvod.net.

My Xiamen
By Ji Yongyong



I'm Emily. I am working in a foreign trade company in Xiamen.

1. How long have you been in Xiamen?
I have been in Xiamen for six years.

2. What do you like best about life here?
Life here is very cozy and not fast-paced. I enjoy it so much.

3. What's your job here? How do you like your job?
I'm a French interpreter in a foreign trade company. I'm quite satisfied with my job.

4. How do you spend your spare time in Xiamen?
Having dinners with my friends and doing some sports, like mountain climbing and jogging etc..

5. If there was one thing that you could change about Xiamen, what would that be?
I wish the temperature would be lower in the summer time.

6. What's your favorite restaurant?
Taoranju of course, the Sichuan spicy food.

7. What do you like best about Xiamen?
There are a lot of advantages living in this small city, the most important one is people are friendlier and closer, not like people in big cities.

8. Compared with other big cities in China, what do you think are the differences between Xiamen and them?
The biggest difference between Xiamen and them is the environment. Xiamen is cleaner with lots of green trees. That's why Xiamen was honored the title "Nations in Bloom".

9. What's the last great book you read?
Dream of Red Mansions(<红楼梦>). I like this novel very much.

10. What's your favorite quotation or piece of advice?
Ask not what your friends can do for you; ask what you can do for them.