培训收获

I Love You, An Shang

By Henry Zhang

It had been my dream to improve my English proficiency somewhere someday.However I had never expected that this dream would come true in a small farming village instead of a big city or a foreign land.

It was early spring in 2004. The sun was shinning, bringing warmth to the great earth. The birds were singing cheerfully, flying here and there. The farming fields were becoming greener and greener with each passing day. Just like the farmers who were looking forward to a bumper harvest, I was expecting a special time in my life.

In March-April 2004, a special English Training Program was jointly offered by Global Volunteers and the Shaanxi Translators Association.Participated in this program were 50 English teachers from various schools in Baoji and Xianyang areas, and I was one of them.

It was a very exciting moment at 10:50 on March 15. Colorful banners were flying in the spring breeze. Gongs and drums were playing loudly and echoing far and wide over the boundless farm fields. Along with the villagers of An Shang, we were standing on both sides of the street to warmly welcome Team 102 of Global Volunteers. There were 8 volunteers from the United States of America, who would serve as our English teachers.

The welcoming ceremony in the afternoon marked the official beginning of our 3-week training program.We were grouped into five small classes, and one American teacher was assigned to each class.I was in Class One, and our teacher was Phyllis Eakin, a senior citizen from California.Though we were English teachers, most of us had never met a native speaker of the English language, let alone having talked with them.We all felt fortunate, excited and eager to learn.

We had four classes of English by the American teachers in the morning. In the afternoon we had an opportunity to attend lectures given by American teachers on different topics, or walk on the country road with American teachers while having a very causal session of questions and answers, or learn English songs. The most interesting and informal activities were usually lined up in the evenings. Together with American teachers, we rehearsed programs in English, played games, or had English parties. We were totally emerged in a natural English-speaking atmosphere.Every single activity and every minute in An Shang was a learning experience. We were just like “studying abroad without leaving China”.

Phyllis Eakin, though advanced in her age, was energetic, enthusiastic and full of humor. Wearing a big smile on her face, she was always in a good state of mind. In the first class, she gave each of us a lovely English name, and l was very happy to adopt “Henry” as mine. She got to know each of us very quickly by asking each of us to tell the class about our own work, life and family.Having learned that we were frustrated in improving our English speaking and listening skills, she encouraged us to strengthen our confidence in learning English. Further more, she taught us some useful ways to improve our English proficiency. She helped us with our English speaking and listening both in class and after class.She kept talking with everyone of us, telling us interesting stories, playing games with us and performing English programs together with us.

It was obvious that Phyllis tried very hard to make every activity a learning opportunity and a fun learning for us, too.Her cheerful spirit and hearty laughter affected every one of us. We made up our mind to work hard and repay her for her love and hard work with our excellent achievement.

During our training we were privileged to attend lectures by Professor An-Wei, president of Sino-American Society, and Mr. Jim Swiderski, China Country Manager and Team Leader of Global Volunteers. We benefited a lot from their lectures. We learned more about American society, culture and customs which enriched our knowledge of English language. Their lectures also helped us understand the necessity and importance to build friendship between China and the United States of America.

We were honored to visit the new school building of An Shang, which was donated by Global Volunteers. What was more, the previous teams of Global Volunteers in 2002 and 2003 personally participated in the construction of this school building. Having heard the story of Project Peace, nobody remained untouched. I learned more about the significance of life and how to live a worthy life.

With each passing day, wonders happened to everyone without notice. We felt obviously that we could hear American teachers clearly and communicate with them better. We could tell stories, make telephone calls and perform tasks in English. We couldn't believe that we could make such great progress in so short a time. To my great surprise, a number of things happened on me for the FIRST time even after the first week of the training program.

For the FIRST time, I talked about my great dream to an American teacher- I had a strong desire to become a qualified teacher of English and would make a contribution to China’s education.

For the FIRST time, I made a telephone call to a native speaker of the English language. I had succeeded in inviting Jim Swiderski to our evening party.

For the FIRST time, I told a complete story in English to an American teacher.

For the FIRST time, I invited three American teachers to visit my hometown and meet my family.

For the FIRST time, I made friends with American citizens.

    ..............

Similar wonders had happened to every one in every class. Everyone who participated in this program had a similar exciting experience in his life. We shared each other’s pleasure in learning. We shared each other’s excitement in making progress.

I felt so fortunate to have this program in An Shang, a small and quiet farming village that was far away from the noisy and hustle-bustle of cities.Completely free from meetings, visits by others, phone calls and various distractions, I could concentrate myself in study and utilize every minute of my time with American teachers.I got up very early in the morning and read aloud my English while walking through the quiet farming fields and enjoying the fresh air. In late evening I always sat down to recollect what we had experienced in day time and kept my diary in English.

Since I came to An Shang, I could feel my progress every day, every hour and every minute. During the three weeks in An Shang Village, I felt as warm as the spring sunshine in my heart. I felt as fresh as the green wheat in the farming fields. I felt I was growing up every day. Three weeks in An Shang became a turning point in my career and life. I could understand American teachers. I could communicate freely with American teachers. A window was opened for me to learn about the American people and their culture.

Beyond my expectation and imagination, I learned more about farmers, farming and the farming area. The warm-hearted villagers of An Shang offered us their best lodging and provided us with delicious meals every day.  While living in the village, we got to know that many of the farmers couldn't afford the tuition for their children.Every time when I think of the honest, sincere, friendly and hard working farmers, I am emotional. They serve as a powerhouse that provides me with never-to-be used up spiritual strength in my work. With the farmer’s image in my mind, I am determined to teach every single one of my students well.

At the final celebration of the program on April 1, we were so excited. All of us expressed our great appreciation in fluent English to the American teachers and the warm-hearted villagers. Together with American teachers and villagers, we sang songs both in Chinese and English. We laughed and danced cheerfully. The entire village was full of happiness. We celebrated our success and friendship.

An Shang Village is a best place to have English training program. American teachers from Global Volunteers not only helped us in our English speaking and listening, but also taught us how to teach our students well.

An Shang served as a bridge where people of different countries, races, cultures, and professions met, learned from and made friends with each other.

An Shang Village is a testimony of history to the great friendship between Chinese and American people.

As the spring comes again, I am looking forward to returning to An Shang Village…

（陕西凤翔）张宏岗