=====================================================
JacksonFive's Free "Path2English" Newsletter,
http://www.path2english.com/
Issue: 57                "My Christmas Gift"             Jan 13, 2002
=====================================================

Dear Readers,

  I received another email from our friend and reader in ShenZhen
  (below). As usual, her email has inspired me with writing ideas for
  a few issues. You can think of these issues as my Christmas gift to
  you.

  After operating my school for almost two years, I have gained some
  invaluable knowledge about the education industry. "Insider
  knowledge" most parents will need to choose the right English school
  for their children. This insider knowledge is my gift to you.

  I will share with you my insider knowledge by illustrating some
  common mistakes I see parents make in choosing the right English
  school. Mistakes I hope I can help you avoid by educating you to
  be smarter and wiser.

  Stay tuned for these issues. For the time being, please enjoy Jane's
  email from China (as a policy, I try to keep reader emails as
  original as possible when sharing in order to retain its original
  "flavor").

                                               Happy New Year,
                                               JacksonFive

(700K MP3 recording,
  http://www.path2english.com/Reference/MP3-057-01.mp3 or
  http://home.pchome.com.tw/education/path2english/MP3-057-01.mp3)

  * * * start * * *
  Hi Jackson, 

  How are you? How about Chloe? We are looking forward to her good
  new.

  Today is the first working day in 2002 for us, from Christmas to
  New Year, we have total 9 holidays. During these days, I did a lot
  of survey on English teaching in kindergartens, not only in ShenZhen,
  but also in the other big cities of China.

  On the one hand, more and more kindergartens pay attention to
  English teaching from children, some of them claim themselves
  "Bilingual teaching", but naturally, the method and level is really
  not to be flattered. For example, my son's kindergarten is one of
  the best kindergartens in ShenZhen, the children accept English from
  2.5 year old, but they are just taught listening the English tape
  again and again, and the tape only read the some English words and
  tells the same boring style "story". If possible, I'd like to post
  you one tape for reference, ^_^ I am very worry about the children's
  poor pronunciation and they will lost interests in studying English.

  On the other hand, the adults English training is also unscientific
  and out-dated. We learn English from reading, writing, then
  listening & speaking, this process breaks the natural law of
  learning language, I think. That's why most of us are English dumb,
  even some are master degree, isn't it incredible? but that is real
  truth. ;-( Now, there are various English training classes opened
  in many big cities, while most of them much more focus on finance
  reward than teaching people the useful method which can benefit for
  whole life.

  However, these days, I re-read your newsletters carefully, I do agree
  with your viewpoint of studying English (issue 33), especially these
  words really impressed me: 'You need to find a method of learning
  English that lets you REALLY enjoy it. You need to love English
  otherwise it will never come to you. Trust me. You need to feel alive
  and excited to be involved with English. You need to feel all your
  emotional pistons firing and creative juices flowing when you are
  learning. You need to have expressions like these on your face when
  you are learning.' That means we need to learn how to fish instead
  of getting fishes. Meanwhile, I enjoyed all of your newsletter
  recordings with MP3, yes, they are actually fun, useful, wonderful
  and unforgettable. It must spent you a lot of time and energy.
  Thanks, Jackson! You really did a great achievement in promotion
  English teaching. 

  I finally understand why so many young students ask their parents to
  bring them earlier to your school, and why one of adult students
  flew back from Kaoshioung just so she can attend your class on time!
  Even me, I want to flew to TW to have your class, too. But this is
  impossible, In my memory, maybe you are going to choose Shanghai as
  the first Jacksonfive school station in China, but why not ShenZhen?
  ^_^, I know, in many foreigner's eyes, you only know Shanghai,
  Beijing these famous big cities in China, while ShenZhen is the
  earliest opening city (economic special area zone), after 20 years
  rapid and solid construction, now, SZ is not more inferior than
  other cities, you can confirm these information from Internet or many
  businessmen who invested in SZ from TW. And more, there are many
  loyal English fellows as me are longing for having such an excellent
  school in SZ. ^_^ 

  In one word, I am canvassing so much, just try to invite you to visit
  SZ, for I remember you are going to SH for investigation, sincerely
  hope you will be able to drop in SZ, and then you will find SZ is not
  a bad choice for your Jacksonfive school and for living.

  Looking forward to hearing from you.

                                                Best Regards
                                                Jane

  (As you can see, Jane is actively engaging me to open a school in
  ShenZhen. If you live in ShenZhen (or Shanghai) and would like me
  to open a school there, please let me know. If possible, I would
  appreciate knowing what private English education for children is
  like in your area.)
  * * * end * * *

NEXT ISSUE's FEATURED TOPIC:

    "Misconception #1: Children need homework and tests."