It was March, 2004, the sun was warmly shinning ,the birds were happily singing and the flowers were lovely coming out. Everything in Anshang village appeared very beautiful and lovely in this great season.

We,including 50 teachers of English who came from Baoji and Xianyang areas had participated in the English Training Program Sponsored by Global Volunteers and the Shaanxi Translators Asscciation in March-April 2004.

lt was a very excitng moment at 10:50 on 15th, March. The flags in different colours were waving in the wind of Sping,the gong and drums were played loudly and happily.We together with the villagers of Anshang were warmly welcoming the American Global Volunteers Team 102 which contained eight American people. A big and warm welcoming meeting was held at the primary school of Anshang village.lt was a sign that we would begin with our this wonderful training.

From 16th, March,we were divided into five small teams. l was a member of Team 1. The teacher of Team 1 was Phyllis who came from Canifornia. We were very happy to learn English from American teacher.

Usually American teachers had classes in the morning and gave us wonderful lectures or had a talk with each of us in the afternoon. We always organized some different interesting activities in the evening, for example, practising English programs, having games with American teachers or having parties, etc. From morning till evening we all were living in a happy "English in situation" activities.

Phyllis was very enthusiastic and full of humour. She always had a big smile on her face and had a very good state of mind every day. In the first class ,she gave each of us a lovely English name and l was very happy to have an English name which is Henry. She asked us some questions about our work, learning and living and she knew every one of us well quickly. When she knew that we all were puzzled in improving our English speaking and listening skills, she encouraged us and made us have confidence in learning English at first, then she gave us some useful ways to improve our English level. Every day she helped us train our English speaking and listening according to talking with everyone, telling interesting stories, having games with us, and performing some English progams together with us.

She tried to make us learn English into all kinds of activities. We had fun in learning English with her teaching. Everything we did in Anshang village were required to express in English. Her cheerful spirits and bubbing laughter infected everyone. We all woked very hard and made up our mind to repay her for her hard working with our excellent achievement.

Here, it was the best for us to go away from the city's nosiy and we had no vexation. The warm-hearted villagers of Anshang village offored the best condition for us to learning. In the moring we got up very early in order to read English quietly. After lunch we usually had a walk on the path between the country fields. In the evening we always wrote down everything happened to us at daytime in the diary. We enjoyed ourselves very much.

During our training it was a good luck for us to listen to the lectures that given by Professor Anwei, who was the chairman of the Sino-American Society of Shaanxi province and Jim Swiderski, who was the China Country Manager. According the lectures we not only knew well about American society, culture and customs which inriched our knowledge of English language, but also made us understand well the importance to build the friendship between China and America from generation to generation.We were very excited to visit the new school of Anshang. When we were in Anshang we all were deeply moved by the high spirit of the Global Volunteers all the time. We were encouraged to work hard by their great spirits.

Time went by day and day, there were a lot of wonders happened to everyone quickly. We felt obviously that we could hear American teacher clearly and could communicate with them freely and we also could tell stories, make telephone calls and performe programes in English. We couldn't believe ourselves to make so great progress in a short time. For example, some "First time" happened to me after one week's training.

lt was my first time to talk about my great dream with a foreign people: l had a very strong desire to become an excellent teacher of English and would make a contribution to our country's education.

lt was my first time to make a telephone call to a foreign people. l had successfully invited Jim to the evening party .

lt was my first time to tell a story to a foreign people in English.

lt was my first time to invite three American teachers to visit my hometown and my family.

lt was my first time to make friends with foreigners.

Such great wonders had happened to every one in every team.everybody had made good effect. Since we came to Anshang,we were always sharing in the pleasure of learning English and we were in deep exciting for our everyday's progress.There were many moving stories happened here every day. We were making progress and growing up in so great season.

According three weeks' training, l felt that this training had enriched my English knowledge, improved my English speaking and listening skills, especially the great progress of my thought was not expected! The English training program had received the best effection successfully.

We were so exciting that everyone of us expressed his acknowledgement in fluent English to American teachers and the warm-hearted villagers at the graduation- meeting in the afternoon on

April 1st. We together with American teachers and the villagers sang and danced happily. The whole village was full of happiness.We celebrated our success and friendship .

Anshang village is a best place to have English training program. American Global Volunteers not only helped us overcome the difficulties of English speaking and listening, but also taught us how to teach our students well. According this learning ,we knew well about the peasants, the agriculture and the countryside and we understood that most of the children of the peasants couldn't offored to go to school. The peasants are very honest and sincere, hard working,warm and friendly. They gave us such great power that we all made up our mind to teach every student well.

Anshang is really like a bridge. People who come from different countries, races and cultures including American people, peasants,teachers,students and other people become good friends here.

Anshang village is a testimony of history to the great friendship between Chinese and American people.

My friend, please come here! In Anshang village you will have not only a never-to-be-forgotten learning experience, but also a geat baptism of your life .

As the spring comes again, l am looking forward to go back to Anshang village. back to top

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