Journal: The Middle of an English Corner

In the parlance of English-learning in China, an "English Corner" is a regular gathering where learners chat in English to each other and to those native speakers who have been persuaded, using whatever means necessary, to attend. An English Corner is held at my college every Sunday evening, organised by two or three dedicated students. But native speakers are scarse, and apparently most of the English Corners held so far this semester have attracted a few dozen enthusiastic students and no foreigners. I've been the only native speaker present on the two occasions when I've participated. So the answer to the riddle "What's at the middle of an English Corner?" is Yours Truly.

The success of these events varies. It's a known fact that without the critical number of native speakers, participants often lapse into their mother tongue. The organisers of this particular English Corner were probably trying to avoid this negative image when they chose a hip new name for their meeting: English Salon. It sounds strange at first, but the name grows on you! However, a foreign teacher has already pointed out to them that this sounds like a hairdresser, so yet another name may be in the pipeline.

One of the organisers invited me several weeks ago to come and give a speech. I usually spend my Sunday preparing lessons, so the idea of preparing a speech too was hardly inviting. Maybe after a few more weeks, I told them.

I think it's a great opportunity for students to practise English, even if no native speakers are present. Still, it's a pity that there aren't more foreigners willing to join in. Instead of seeing it as a chore, the English Corner could be a chance to socialise and learn more about Chinese culture. But personally, I'd rather talk Chinese when I socialise, or at least half Chinese.

Nevertheless, I decided to go along last week and see what it was like. I didn't want to prepare a speech, so I dropped in unannounced. The evening's topic was "The Oscars", but that conversation generally went something like: "Did you watch the Oscars?" "No." So really, it was just free talk. I was quickly monopolised by one group of students. At first, all the questions were about me, but I tried to turn this around to take the pressure off myself and to encourage a proper group conversation. Still, from every new person who joined the group I heard the question, "Can you give us some tips for improving our English?"

This week I was too busy with my lesson prep to attend the English Corner, but one of the organisers called me at home. "We need your help!" they said. There was a journalist there wanting to take photos. I did the noble thing and hurried over. The reporter was from the school newspaper, and coincidently I had already met her. I have a language exchange relationship with her boyfriend Jackie, and I still haven't heard the end of her apologies for making me come to the English Corner that night!

In fact, I stayed for about an hour and a half, and tried to talk to a few more people than last time. Most of the participants have a level of English high enough for the conversation to move along fairly quickly, and they are not much younger than me, so the experience is quite fun. But although it is not as exhausting as being at the front of a classroom, for a habitual introvert such as myself it still takes a lot of energy being in the middle of an English Corner.