Comments on: English Corner

By: Daniel Fleek

Daniel Fleek — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:22:58 +0000

The English Corner in Renmin’s campus shows that Chinese people like and are fond of America. First off, I was surprised that on a Friday night there were that many Chinese students who wanted to exchange and share their views. The fact that they were sharing and comparing views on America and memorizing the Gettysburg Address was astounding. Besides in the classroom, I don’t think I would run into that many American students discussing another countries culture and history. However, I think a good place to learn about another cultures history would be at a museum. I went to the Bowers museum during Christmas break when they had the terra cotta warriors displayed. I was amazed at how much the tour guide (who my mom is) had to explain to me about the history and culture behind China’s technologically advanced dynasties including the Qin, the Han, and the Tang. By just looking at all the artifacts that were on display, I realized how advanced technologically China was even before Jesus was born. I have a lot of interest in going to the English Corner in China especially since they like Americans. I hope to be able to share my opinions about the US as well as learn about their opinions on China’s political and current affairs.

By: Vladimir

Vladimir — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:17:05 +0000

My first thought was: This won’t be fair. I haven’t recited the Gettysburg Address since fifth grade, I haven’t studied US history for over 15 years, and I don’t follow politics very closely. Although English Corner contains a pool of people that probably doesn’t represent China’s youth, I think young Americans generally pay less attention to their country’s government or history and more to individual opportunities. This is mainly because America is developed, rather than developing. I haven’t heard anyone in the US say that another country is his/her model, as a student at English Corner said about America. We don’t see significant changes in our country as Chinese students see in theirs, so we are more interested in what affects us directly. Focusing on personal goals is more practical for students entering the workforce than discussing history or current political events, unless they are relevant to their field. I am looking forward to visiting English Corner to learn how the students see America and its relationship with China. Why do they see America as their model? English Corner gives students an opportunity to speak freely and advance their understanding of America. I would say the closest thing to an English Corner in California would be clubs on college campuses (Often polarized discussion clubs such as Young Democrats or Young Republicans).

By: Kevin K.

Kevin K. — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:00:42 +0000

Eight p.m. on a Friday night and Chinese college students are gathering to speak about U.S. History, economics, and other educational topics? Reciting the entirety of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address? Good luck finding that happening at the majority of American universities. I’m am astounded by this post and article. The dedication and actual desire to learn and improve is just amazing. While most college students would be packing the bars on a Friday night, these Chinese students are reciting Abraham Lincoln — in English no less.

Judging from this article the students really do enjoy this meeting, and love learning about the US (their “model”). I think this would be a really interesting experience to visit as an American, just to converse in English and to get a firsthand impression of how China’s growing educated community feels about our country and have them explain any questions me may have about their’s.

By: Omar Pradhan

Omar Pradhan — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:13:13 +0000

It seems to me that the practical and symbolic value of an English Corner in Beijing and elsewhere is that it’s a physical space that facilitates cross-cultural exchange and understanding. When such places are utilized, as the article details, to grow awareness and understanding of our various differences and similarities, especially as it relates to values, these spaces and the memories that form within can go a long way toward short circuiting propaganda that otherwise might negatively sway attitudes toward “outsiders.” I would say that our US educational institutions of higher learning serve an equivalent role…same with the Peace Corp…and perhaps even Facebook (to the extent that folks have international friends). As far as whether I have an interest in experiencing and participating in English Corner, the answer is YES; I hope to explore the full range of motivations and fears we share in common…we have many looming global challenges to face and building multi-cultural trust, one person at a time, is critical to any hope of success. One final thought… I am reminded of a favorite quote by Henry Adams (US Author, Historian 1838-1918): “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” I would say each one of us, when we are abroad, are teaching other cultures about our own. To the extent that we leave a favorable impression through English Corner dialogue or karaoke bonding or any other number of cross-cultural exchanges, we are setting in motion a powerful current of empathy, trust, understanding, etc…and we know not where our influence will stop.

By: Chris F.

Chris F. — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:03:45 +0000

I would be interested in visiting English Corner because I believe it would be a fascinating experience to get the perspective of those living in another country about how they view the U.S. and vice versa. It is good that there are students taking their own initiative to learn about a country that is half a world away yet plays such a pivotal role in shaping the world we live in (the United States). I cannot say for certain if there are people here in America who would try to understand the Chinese as they know us (but maybe we are the ambassadors for that change).

I would have to agree with those who say that the closes place in America to an English Corner would be a coffee shop you would see in a big city. Or maybe perhaps the area around and on the UC Berkeley campus (I have heard many enlightening speeches on those grounds, not necessarily from students - the homeless). I guess it is because we have our 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech, assembly and religion that we really take it for granted. Ironic how the university built with the interest of Communist ideals has a place that allows many American values to flourish that are normally repressed from the mainstream Chinese society. After reading the article, I have to admit that my own knowledge about American history is a bit rusty. Better brush up on it if I expect to have an intelligent conversation about my own country with a Chinese student!

By: J Vail

J Vail — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:37:54 +0000

Wow, I can’t believe how Ikenson felt, because I felt proud just reading his recounted story. I am definitely looking forward to the English Corner now. There is both a large practical and symbolic value from having such a location. Practically, Chinese students are not only learning English, but American government, probably to the extent that I know it. I feel like this type of discourse would be important for American students who don’t try to learn about other cultures as much as they try to learn about us.

Symbolically, I think it shows again that a lot of the fear in China is misplaced and we have just as much to learn from them as they do from us. I think that I need to re-evaluate my opinion of our own government, as it is arrogant to take it for granted as much as I have. Sadly, I don’t know of any places like this in the United States, it was never really my scene, but regardless I think any place with as much acclaim as the English Corner would have more notoriety here.

By: JP Salazar

JP Salazar — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 07:33:36 +0000

The English Corner seems like a very interesting place to visit. The first thing that struck me while reading this article had to be a kind of melancholy feeling. It doesn’t surprise me that these students, half a world away, probably know more about US history and policy that most Americans. It was very telling that these students were taking turns reciting the Gettysburg Address, but most people in the US only know the first six words, if that (not to mention that most people don’t even know that “score” is a measurement of time).
I think it would be very interesting to experience this place first hand. It would be a good channel to begin to understand the fascination that many people in China seem to show for American culture. I would love to have the chance to interact with other young thinkers that have grown from a situation so much different than my own. These are the people that will be shaping the future of Chinese policy. I would feel honored to be able to share my own ideas with them. I have always believed that “truth” can only be found through sharing ideas. By understanding different viewpoints we can begin to determine which way of thinking works best for ourselves in our own situation. But without being exposed to new ideas, people can become locked in to a way of thinking and miss out on opportunities for change.
A place like the English Corner seems like the perfect forum for sharing new ideas. But, it is more than that. It is a community of people who share the desire to discuss and debate. It is a place where young people can come and feel safe. It is an important in that it is a group that people can identify with. This might be its most important role. It is a gathering of like-minded people that lets them all know that they are not alone. There are people that have the same desires and fears as they do.

By: Kyle R.

Kyle R. — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:23:05 +0000

I never would have expected such a place in China…especially at such a high ranking university. It makes me feel more comfortable about going to China, primarily because there are students our age who are enthralled about our country’s culture, policy, and history. This is similar to our own interest in China. I would enjoy being able to visit English Corner when we are in Beijing. I think it would be a great opportunity to network with young Chinese who will most likely be very successful someday. It would be nice to interact with these students, mainly because they share the same ideas and ambitions that we do. However, for me it would be very humbling, especially because I don’t have as much memorized as they appear to have. I would almost feel ashamed of how little I would know. I live in this United States and without refreshing my exposure to U.S. history, they might know more than me.

By: Matt Streiter

Matt Streiter — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 03:55:13 +0000

I was shocked on how much emphasis and interest there is on American history and culture in these interactions with the college students. The fact that they recited and some even memorized the Gettysburg Address when some people in our own country don’t even know the meaning of the speech is amazing. In this context I feel the Chinese-American relationship is very one sided. The Chinese seem to be fascinated and legitimately interested in our nation’s history while most Americans won’t even approach a Chinese citizen and ask about their country’s politics and how they feel about it. The English Corner is relevant because it gives a venue for the Chinese to learn and express information and ideas about the American culture.

Tying this blog into the one about Fallows, this is a great demonstration of the power of the U.S. and influence they have on other countries. Just looking forward, if China’s future consists of people trying to be so multicultural, what is that going to say about that same generation here? Perhaps U.S. companies are going to be seeking out these bicultural kids to be their executives….

By: j hurley

j hurley — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 05:47:46 +0000

English Corner sounds like a cool place to visit. It would be interesting to see how these students currently view the United States. However, if the questions are anything like the one from the article, I think they may have more knowledge on the subjects than I do. I have never been to a similar gathering in the U.S. and would like to experience one. It would be just as rewarding to get some direct information on how China’s up and comings view American and it’s current practices.