By Flora Huang and Sophie Zhu

    北京雅思学校成立于1997年，是目前国内最大的连锁英语培训机构之一。北京雅思学校在全国率先推出了个性诊断式教学法，拥有国内顶级的雅思培训师资队伍。厦门分校是其大家庭中的第18位成员,于2009年底正式对外招生，并实行与北京、香港统一的教师培训体系和质量监控体系。

    在北雅厦门分校成立之际，北京雅思董事长、中国“雅思教父”刘洪波应邀来厦开讲，与广大市民分享英语学习秘籍，并推广北雅先进的管理理念。

    Hongbo Liu is the president of Beijing IELTS and a recognized authority on IELTS in China. He offered a lecture in Xiamen on how to prepare for the IELTS exam last month.

    1    Unique theories

    Q: Why do you believe teachers should be blamed for a student’s poor English﹖

    A: Teachers, especially the ABC-darians, have a strong influence on English learning. Take the expression “to rain cats and dogs” as an example. An ordinary teacher may simply introduce it as a “set phrase,” whereas an excellent teacher will arouse the students’ interest by providing some background information like stories from Norse mythology. In addition, the pronunciation of a teacher has profound effects on his or her students. 

    Q：You gave lessons to English teachers in Guizhou and Guangxi as a volunteer during the summer. Why﹖

    A: In language learning, teachers play a vital role in inspiring and encouraging their students. That is especially true in the countryside where there are minimal resources and a single teacher can be responsible for as many as 1,000 students. If I can help 1,000 teachers learn the best teaching methods, they can impact in turn a million students. The program is an efficient and effective way to enhance the level of education in under-resourced areas.

    Q: For your institution， what are the keys to improving student grades﹖

    A: Teachers are not only the core value but also the core motivation of an institution -- they must devote themselves to intensive research on the IELTS exam. Equally important, our textbooks are relatively predictive. Last but not least, our human and digital resources benefit the students by improving study efficiency.

    2    Modern management

    Q: You emphasize that private training institutes should be a part of the service industry rather than the education industry. Does that philosophy influence your institution﹖

    A: Language training institutions in Western countries frequently define themselves as service organizations. In that sense, they pursue consumer-oriented services and endeavor to satisfy consumers’ needs by improving students’ language proficiency. Beijing IELTS was established in 1997 and for more than ten years we have focused on IELTS training. After consultation with the Modern Education Group of Hong Kong, we introduced new management concepts and technologies to strengthen our competitiveness.

    Q: You stress the significance of good teachers －－ how does your institution put that into practice﹖

    A: We are implementing the Star Teacher system based on Western models. In order to build this teacher-centered system, we have introduced contracts in which teachers are rewarded for student performance. Students seek teachers with good reputations -- the more popular you are, the more you get paid.

    3    Studying abroad

    Q: Many Chinese students hope to go overseas to study at some point. What is your opinion on that phenomenon﹖ 

    A: Results from studying overseas depend on timing. I am not bullish about sending children who are too young to live on their own in a new environment. Culture shock, identity crisis and family problems can result from long periods of separation. These challenges can be overwhelming for young children and can cause problems that extend into adulthood.

    Q:  What do you suggest for students who do go abroad﹖

    A: Students should bear in mind that knowledge learnt cannot be separated from its social and cultural context. No matter where you are, it is important to be aware of your cultural identity and to consider how concepts learned in one culture relate to situations in China. Also, students should bring back what they have learnt to China to make our nation a better place.

    Beijing IELTS School

    Beijing IELTS School (BIS) was founded in 1997 and is currently one of China’s largest English training institutions. Its Xiamen branch, the 18th across the country, was founded in December 2009. BIS offers individualized diagnostic teaching methodology under which the curriculum is designed and lessons are conducted on the basis of a thorough understanding of the students’ existing language skills in order to provide individualized tutoring.

    In 2007, Mr. Liu Hongbo, dubbed an “Authority on IELTS” by the 21st English Education Weekly, was appointed BIS principal. He has created the school motto “Driven by Passion” and built a teaching philosophy that he describes as“professional, academic, motivating and  passionate.”