Elderly woman ardent about learning English

She is an elderly woman from the countryside who had only had a few days of night school education when young. She started learning English when she was 66 years old, and after eight years of study, she is now able to communicate with others in simple English in different situations and sing "You and Me", "Edelweiss" and other English songs, just as native speakers do.

The elderly woman is Liu Mian, who is the vice director of the Committee for the Well-being of the Youth of Suian Township in Zhangpu County, Fujian Province. Though her hair has turned white, she still has beautiful color in her face and is very energetic.

When interviewing Liu, the reporter found a notebook wrapped with a pamphlet, which was actually an English textbook. Some pages have fallen out because it had been used so heavily. Liu had carefully repaired them with Scotch tape. She also carries a small English dictionary with her. Liu said that she is getting old and her memory is not so good. Although she can read many words, she often forgets the words’ meaning, when a dictionary will come in handy.

In order to test Liu's English level, the reporter picked up the notes Liu made at English class and turned a page, asking Liu to read the page. Surprisingly, Liu read the page word-by-word and sentence by sentence, and then explained the meanings in the Minnan dialect. Aside from a few mispronounced words, Liu could read the entire page.

When explaining the reason why she wants to learn English, Liu smiled that she did so because of her grandson. One New Year’s Day, Liu's grandson, who studies at a university in Xiamen, called home and greeted her in English "Happy New Year!" Liu was bewildered because she did not understand what her grandson was saying. Her grandson laughed, answering: "Grandma, I just gave you my New Years greeting!" At that time, Liu made the decision to learn English if possible so that she can answer him in the future.

In 2002, after learning that a senior-citizen university opened in Zhangpu, Liu immediately enrolled. She told the reporter proudly, "Since I began English classes, I have never come late or left before the class finished!" She, who studied hard, specially bought a tape recorder in order to practice English at home.

Currently, Liu is able to communicate with others in simple English. When her grandson called to greet her, she can speak with him in English, which made her grandson surprised and happy. On March 8, the International Women's Day, or at the meetings held by the women's federation of the township, Liu always sings a little bit of an English song to liven up the atmosphere. On New Year's Day 2010, Liu sang the theme song of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – You and Me, which she learned to sing at her English class in the senior citizen’s university, an act which caused a great sensation.

Because Liu was the vice director of a local committee for the well being of the youth, she always goes to primary and middle schools or kindergartens to communicate with the students and teachers there. While talking with them, she always speaks a little English to narrow the gap with the students and attract their attention. Liu said that she feels very happy and proud of herself.

"Because I am getting old, my memory is poor, and I learn new things slowly. While studying, the elderly should first develop an interest, and then persevere in it. Only perseverance will bear fruit." Liu sighed that with society becoming more open, the elderly should also be able to understand and talk with foreigners if they meet them.

"There is a saying in the Minnan dialect that goes like "What's the point of learning English when you're so old." This saying should be considered encouraging instead of discouraging," said Liu proudly.