Everyone says English. Beginner

Author: Hou Yiling
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-07-01
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 atmosphere for international exchanges. 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 exchanges. To address this, the Beijing Municipal Committee and the Beijing Municipal Government have proposed that, based on Beijing's status and functions, the English proficiency of Beijing residents, especially their spoken English communication skills, should be comprehensively improved, along with the overall quality of the citizens, to create a better humanistic environment, investment environment, tourism environment, and high-quality service environment. Initiated and jointly launched by 11 municipal commissions and offices, including the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Beijing Municipal Committee for Spiritual Civilization Construction, the Beijing Municipal Economic Commission, the Beijing Municipal Commercial 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 caters to students of all levels of education systems in Beijing, including primary schools, junior high schools, high schools, vocational schools, private schools, adult colleges, and regular universities. The organization of 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 major 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 the perfection of disciplinary systems. Instead, it adopts a progressive approach, focusing on oral training and addresses the difficulties Chinese learners face in learning foreign languages. It boldly employs innovative teaching methods such as project-based learning and situational teaching, making it engaging, easy to remember, and highly practical for oral training. This textbook can be used as a training material 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 textbook, 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, and Feng Jiasheng, among others, for their significant contributions.
This textbook is suitable for employed workers across various industries who have studied English for about two years, as well as students of all levels of education and the general public for self-study or training purposes. The book is divided into 35 units, covering topics in business, catering, tourism, transportation, and the service industry, essentially encompassing all aspects of daily life. Each unit includes three dialogues that explore the topic from different perspectives, with natural and practical language, making it easy to imitate. Additionally, the book provides key vocabulary explanations, usage notes, selected common phrases, and supplementary vocabulary. The book is printed in full color and is accompanied by audio cassettes recorded by foreign experts, with readings in both standard and slow speeds, making it ideal for learners to practice shadowing.