Everyone Speaks English: Intermediate

Author: Jiang Zukang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: July 1, 2002
Features: With China's entry into the WTO, the acceleration of opening up and participation in global competition, and especially the 2008 Olympics to be held in Beijing, Beijing urgently needs a large number of professionals proficient in foreign languages and capable of direct communication with foreigners, as well as high-quality service providers. To build a first-class modern international metropolis by 2010, Beijing also urgently needs to create a language environment and an atmosphere of international exchange. However, the current English proficiency of Beijing residents, particularly their spoken English, falls far short of the requirements for building an international metropolis and the demands of international communication. To address this, the Beijing Municipal Committee and the Beijing Municipal Government have proposed that the English proficiency of Beijing residents, especially their spoken English communication skills, be comprehensively improved to enhance the overall quality of the citizens, creating a better humanistic environment, investment environment, tourism environment, and high-quality service environment. Initiated and jointly launched by 11 municipal departments, including the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Office of the Capital's Spiritual Civilization Construction Committee, the Beijing Municipal Economic Commission, the Beijing Municipal Commerce Commission, the Beijing Municipal Rural Work Commission, the Beijing Municipal Construction Commission, the Beijing Municipal Commission for Foreign Economic and Trade, the Beijing Municipal Urban Management Committee, the Beijing Municipal Transport Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, and the Beijing Municipal Local Taxation Bureau, the Beijing English Spoken Language Proficiency Examination has been introduced. This examination is standardized, focused, highly targeted, and tailored to the needs of Beijing residents to improve their spoken and listening English skills, as well as the requirements of the 2008 Olympics.
The target audience for the English Spoken Language Proficiency Examination primarily includes professionals, employed workers, and the general public across various industries, departments, and enterprises; it also serves students of all levels of schools within the Beijing education system, including primary schools, junior high schools, high schools, vocational schools, private schools, adult colleges, and regular universities. Hosting the English Spoken Language Proficiency Examination to enhance English communication skills is not only an image project for the improvement of Beijing residents' quality but also a significant reform in English teaching within the education system.
To support the launch of this examination, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission has organized renowned domestic experts and scholars to compile the book Everyone Speaks English as the designated training and examination textbook for the Beijing English Spoken Language Proficiency Examination. This textbook is divided into three volumes, catering to the needs of, , and examinations. The key features of this textbook are its departure from the traditional model of English teaching, which emphasizes grammar and disciplinary systems, opting instead for a progressive approach that focuses on oral training. It addresses the difficulties Chinese learners face in learning foreign languages by boldly adopting innovative teaching methods such as project-based learning and situational teaching. The textbook is engaging, easy to remember, and highly practical for oral training. It can serve as a training manual for spoken English across various industries, as well as a textbook for spoken English in regular primary and secondary schools, vocational schools, regular universities, and adult colleges. The content of this book has been reviewed and approved by renowned domestic and international experts and professors. During the compilation and publication of this book, strong support was provided by relevant departments of the municipal government. Special thanks are also extended to Liu Yang, Shao Heping, Tan Deshen, Shi Wenlong, Yi Rong, Rong Yanning, Feng Jiasheng, and other comrades who made significant contributions to this book.
This book is the designated training and examination textbook for the Beijing English Spoken Language Proficiency Examination and the recommended textbook for the Beijing Citizens Speak Foreign Languages campaign. It is suitable for students of all levels of schools who have studied English for about four years, employed workers across various industries, and the general public for self-study and training in spoken English. The book is divided into 12 units, covering topics in business, catering, tourism, transportation, and the service industry, essentially encompassing all aspects of daily life. Each unit includes five conversational training projects, exploring topics from different perspectives with natural and practical language, making it easy to imitate. Additionally, the book provides annotations on the usage of key vocabulary and phrases, supplementary conversational exercises, and background knowledge on language and culture. The entire book is printed in full color and is accompanied by audio cassettes recorded by foreign experts, read at standard speed with a fresh and natural tone, closely resembling everyday life, making it ideal for learners to follow along.