Everyone says English Intermediate

Author: Jiang Zukang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-09-05
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 skills, 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 be comprehensively improved, with a focus on enhancing their spoken English communication skills, overall quality, and creating a better humanistic environment, investment environment, tourism environment, and high-quality service environment. In collaboration with 11 municipal departments and commissions, including the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Beijing Municipal Committee for Spiritual Civilization Construction, 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, a standardized, focused, and highly targeted Beijing English Spoken Proficiency Certificate Examination has been launched. This examination is designed to meet the needs of Beijing residents in improving their spoken and listening English skills and is tailored to the requirements of the 2008 Olympics.
The target audience for the English Spoken Proficiency Certificate Examination primarily includes professionals, employed workers, and the general public across various industries, departments, and enterprises; it also serves students in all levels and types of schools within Beijing's education system, including primary schools, junior high schools, high schools, vocational schools, private schools, adult colleges, and regular universities. Organizing the English Spoken Proficiency Certificate Examination to improve English communication skills is not only an image project for the enhancement of Beijing residents' quality but also a significant transformation 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 Proficiency Certificate 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 systematic subject structure, and instead focuses on spoken language training, progressing from simple to complex and gradually building skills. It adopts innovative teaching methods such as project-based and situational teaching, tailored to the difficulties Chinese learners face in mastering foreign languages. The textbook is engaging, easy to remember, and highly practical for oral training. It can serve as a training textbook 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 writing and publishing process, strong support was provided by the 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 Proficiency Certificate Examination and the recommended textbook for the Beijing Citizens Speak Foreign Languages Campaign. It is suitable for students in various levels and types of schools who have studied English for about four years, employed workers across industries, and the general public for self-study and training purposes. 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 conversation training projects, exploring topics from different perspectives with natural and practical language, making it easy for learners to imitate. Additionally, the book provides annotations on the usage of key vocabulary and phrases, supplementary conversation exercises, and cultural and linguistic background knowledge. 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 reflecting everyday life, making it ideal for learners to follow along.