Voice 1 Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Joshua Leo Voice 2 And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1 What does this sound like to you? Does it sound like group of people arguing? Does it sound like a large family all talking at once? If this is what you thought, you would be wrong. This is the sound of a group of students in China practicing English. It may sound a little strange to you, but this is how many people in China are learning how to speak English. Today's Spotlight is on a new way of learning English called "Crazy English." Voice 2 People all around the world speak English. It has become the most popular language for business and international communication. This is especially true in China. Some people call China's interest in English "English Fever". For more than ten years people in China have been excited to study English.
Voice 1 But for people in China, English is more than just another language. English is seen as a tool for success. Many people believe that English can help them succeed in business and even in love. Studies estimate that between 200 million and 350 million people in China are studying English.
Voice 2 Years ago, Li Yang was one of these people studying English. Li Yang was born in the Northwest Chinese province of Xinjiang. His parents worked very hard at their jobs. They wanted Li to also work hard. If Li made a mistake on his school work, his mother would tear up the paper he was writing on.
Voice 1 Li did not enjoy school very much. He did not enjoy studying. Li Yang was also very shy. He did not like talking to people. When Li Yang went to University, he had to take an English test. This was an important test that all students needed to take. So Li Yang and his friend decided to read and speak outside every day. Li found that the louder he spoke, the better he felt. He said that he felt brave. Li believed that when he stopped shouting, he stopped learning.
Voice 2 Reading and speaking is not a new way to learn how to speak a new language. Li Yang took this method and made it louder. He began speaking English everywhere he went. When his friends went to sleep, he went outside and spoke there. When it was time to take the test, Li Yang got second place. The other students were surprised. Li kept using this method of learning. And after some time, he began to sound like a native English speaker.
Voice 1 When Li finished school he got a job as an electrical engineer. He also taught English classes in his free time. After a few years Li Yang decided to quit his job and start his own English teaching company. Li and his sister rented an office and slept on the floor. His sister helped to manage the business and Li taught the classes. The business was named "Crazy English." Crazy is another word for "insane." Li called the method of teaching "Crazy English" because it was so different. Voice 2 Li worked very hard teaching English. After a short time, more people heard about Li and his teaching methods. People wrote to him asking for materials. They had English Fever.
Voice 1 On one teaching trip, Li Yang met Ouyang Weijian, the leader of an elementary school. Ouyang saw Li speak to a crowd of people. He was surprised by Li's methods. Ouyang invited Li to teach an English class in his city. Li agreed. But Li Yang did not know that so many people would attend. Five thousand [5,000] people came to hear Li Yang teach English. Li was very happy about the event.
Voice 2 Years passed and the business grew. Ouyang joined Li Yang as the business manager. The crowds of people got larger and larger. But you may be asking, why do these people treat an English teacher like a famous person? Well, it is all because of Li's method of teaching. Voice 1 Going to a Li Yang English class is like going to a music event. Li Yang stands on the stage and shouts. The crowd repeats what he says. Together, thousands of people practice English words. Each word has a physical movement. The crowd raises and moves their arms together while shouting. This is Crazy English.
Voice 2 Most people in China, and other places in the world, learn English in small classrooms. They study from books. They learn the words, they know the rules of the English language but they may never feel brave enough to speak English out loud. Li Yang wanted to change this. He wanted to make people feel strong in speaking English.
Voice 1 But Li's methods were not always accepted by people. Many English teachers in China hated his methods. They said that Li's methods went against Chinese traditions of being restrained. And some people today say that these methods teach students to always shout English instead of speaking.
Voice 2 But Li Yang's students disagree. They enjoy Crazy English and they believe that it is a good way to improve speaking English. Even the Chinese government enjoys Li Yang's teaching. They have invited him to teach inside the walls of the ancient forbidden city in Beijing. He has taught soldiers on top of the Great Wall of China. He also helped many people improve their English to prepare for the 2008 Olympic events. In all these different places, Li tells his students one important lesson. He says they must "love losing face." Voice 3 "You have to make a lot of mistakes. You have to be laughed at by a lot of people. But that doesn't matter." Voice 1 Li Yang wants his students to know that it is ok to make mistakes. He wants them to enjoy making mistakes. Because he knows that if you are making mistakes, you are trying. And trying is the first step to success.
What do you think about Li Yang's Crazy English teaching method? Would shouting help you improve your English? Write to us and tell us about how you practice English.
Voice 2 The writer and producer of this program was Joshua Leo. All quotes have been adapted and voiced by Spotlight. The voices you heard were from the United States. Computer users can hear our programs, read our scripts, and see our word list on our website at http://www.Radio.English.net. This program is called "Crazy English". Voice 1 If you have a comment or question about this program, you can email us. Our email address is Radio @ English . net. The audio recordings came from Camprice and PBS. We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!
