Job Discussion Forums

[Tessio]

I have also asked this on the Off Topic site.

Does any out there know about the origins of English Corner, especially here in China?

I have searched on the internet, but haven't found any information about when the first English Corner took place? and Why?

As everyone knows, EC is all about getting the students talking, but I have a few students who complain that I don't talk enough. All they want is a Lecture so they can improve their listening skills. That's what I have been told.

I would like to print something and have them read that EC is about Speaking, not Listening.

Thanks

[vikdk]

I beleive it first started in the 1840's - when a business man from Manchester convinced a load of the locals to stand in a corner and then sold them opium - hence the name English corner
In those days people were a lot more hooked on this activity - but due to all that smoking, rarely talked in any language what so ever

[Hendahu]

I liked what vikdk had to say about it. Sometime at our English corner, it seems like some are on opium...but to promote talking simply ask and answer questions. You will end up talking more than students, but it is a start. Learning English is a four fold process, talking, listening, reading and writing, so do not worry if they listen more at first. Let their confidence build and then raise your expectations. Oh, by the way, I have no idea where english corner began..

[erinyes]

i know nothing about the origins of English corner, but if people are not talking you should write on the BB "keep quite if you agree" and then start saying outrageous things, simple things at first; the sky is red

get them to disagree, and then work your way up to controversial things like "if the people of xinjaing want to be free from China and form another country, they should be allowed to"

of course, no one will accuse you of being a subversive if you work up to this... but they will vehemently disagree, with passion... so that might get them talking.

[InTime]

From pg. 1, Promoting Change in China's Classrooms thread:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=16848

[sheeba]

[jwbhomer]

[quote]get them to disagree, and then work your way up to controversial things like "if the people of xinjaing want to be free from China and form another country, they should be allowed to"[/quote]

Sounds like a great way to get yourself fired! In the standard university contract teachers are expressly prohibited from discussing politics and religion in the classroom. Last I heard that includes English Corner.

(I also have no idea who started English Corner, but I know most universities have one. I thought it was pretty much a waste of time.)

[7969]

the english corner where i currently work is pretty good. well attended, each week a different english education (future english teachers) class is responsible for organizing it, they set up tea, a few different games, draw prizes for those students who managed to hang out till the end of the activity. and people even speak english there!

so for the first time in three years, i can finally say i've seen an english corner that didnt resemble what most of you seem to be experiencing.

[Brian Caulfield]

Chinese think English people have square heads . They feel that we will be more comfortable in a corner where our heads will fit more easily when we try to hide from embarassment .

[Malsol]

Actually it all began in Shenyang 25 years ago.

But it was at a major circle, not a corner.

I could tell you more but I am tired just now.

[InTime]

Shenyang???

Thanks for that INFO...looking forward to more...

Shenyang's English Corner carries on the tradition. When I was teaching at China Medical U. and doing a gig at American Chamber of Commerce, I participated regularly at the 7-nights-a-week English Corner at nearby ZhongShan Square (actually...a Circle). Quiite an extraordinary/surreal environment. EC is next to a huge (largest in China)statue of Mao and sincere-faced revolutionaries of all ages

Esewhere in the GuanCheng are folks doing:
*badminton
*folk dancing
*bicycle acrobatics

Great place!
Many high level English speakers/thinkers...
including some charming Super-Children

[Malsol]

Now there are coffee shop(s)? in Shenyang called "English Corner."