Kevin's english corner - a chinese business dream

byolieben

475 followers

5 years ago

Helping and Building confidences

I'm Daniel Z. Chinese born. I want to talk a little about how I met Kevin,

And why I continue going to his English corners and recommend how it can benifit you.

I. Kevin and I connected over 3 years now, in my previous job, I was a loner and alittle depressed, as I sometimes I had to work on weekends, making a poor social life with no new friends. As an English major, I had considered a long time, the idea of organizing an English corner but unable to therefore failing to do so. Eventually I made a decision to join one an English speaking class, I luckily came across Kevin's English corner on the internet.

One thing I want to share about myself is that, until that point in my life, I was a very quiet, introverted young man. Who never met, let alone speak with strangers, as I do now. One day on my way to attend Kevin's English corner for the first time, I felt incredibly nervous and anxious about what to expect from it. However, All my anxiety was soon gone when I saw him in the flesh and for reasons I still can't figure out until now it's a mystery

Perhaps it's the determination I saw in his eyes.

i arrived early, thus we had time for a private talk before the English corner. He told me that he used to teach at an English training center.,but quit his job a few months ago to started his very own English corner. On hearing this, I was quite shocked. " why would someone quit his job and decide not to find a new one while he could have kept his job and organize english corner after office hours."I thought to myself, " it must take great courage to do so". With this thought in my mind, I asked him why. He said there were many evil companies in China and he didn't want to work for such companies any more. "I believe in entrepreneurship, and i want to start my own business", "I love English, and enjoy speaking English to people, How wonderful it would be if I can make English corner as my career."

I remember vividly, the first few meetings we would have around 10 to 20 people standing or sitting in a circle under the strangest and biggest "roof" of the Civic center government building, shenzhen. We would discuss different topics and have everyone in the group share his and her, s thoughts one after another.

Later, as the English corner grew, we moved to a coffee shop. And it's been this way since then. It's incredible as I can't believe it has been over 3 years now.

Why I keep going to Kevin's EnglishCorner and why you also should.

My initial idea was to have some fun in my spare time,and make radical changes to my otherwise singular life, the possibility that it could improve my English by practicing and attending meeting different people. It so happens not only have I enjoyed my time at Kevin's English corner, but made many good friends and greatly improved my oral English skills. The result is clear, my self-confidence has been boosted, my public speaking skills honed, but most important of all, I've become more tolerant.

In my opinion these are other reasons why you should join Kevin's Better Life English Corner:

1, English. This is an English corner, people are encouraged to speak English and you'll get your fair share of time to practice your spoken English. Besides expressing yourself in an English-speaking environment helping to significantly improve your overall listening skills.

2, Public speaking. Half way through the English corner, you will be invited to give your understanding or topics in a three to five mins summary. This allows you a great opportunity to improve your public speaking and logical thinking skills

3, Reading. On Sunday in every two weeks, Kevin organises a reading activity, you can share your in a discussion what you have read. Through participating in this event, you are likely to read more and by sharing, you will understand it better.

4, Life problems. Kevin always says life sometimes can be tough, that's why his slogan and business name is '' Better Life English Corner". He believes, by living together (in a community), we all can be much stronger and better off.

A topic related to our daily lives is given to each activity. Here at Kevin's English corner, you'll learn to look at life from a different angle.

5, Friendship. People who attend Kevin's English corner come from different education family backgrounds, and walks of life. Here at Kevin's English corner, you are very likely to find people with the same interests, same values even aspirations. Some of may become your mentor and help with your career. Some met their business partners, others, found their true love too. With all the possibilities, what are you waiting for?

6, Character. English is more than a tool. Kevin's English corner is much more than a place where people speak English. When you choose to join, you'er not only choosing a language, or a place to improve and hone your skills, you're choosing a lifestyle. Choosing your lifestyle, your building your character and self-esteem.

BetterLife English Corner

KEVIN's ADVICE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS

In my humble opinion, this is my advice to all concerned

The best way to hold the English corner. First and foremost, the theme should be about life’s problems, because it is said that we all go through life with partly broken heart, lol. Most of us have a lot of life issues. So this English corner should offer people an opportunity to learn with each other and solve the problems. We should try to focus the whole English corner around that theme.

Second, we should encourage all participants to talk more with each other, because some people like talking more than listening.

How?

1. As the host, we should not talk too much.

2.We should try to remind or stop people who occupy more than the allotted time frame. It's easy to get carried away with emotions and passion, especially, the sharing part, we should limit the time to 5 minutes.

3.We should group the people in equal numbers, six people If possible.

How to conduct the EC.

1. Self introduction by everyone ( encourage or remind people to speak louder ) 2.Introduce the topic today and divide the people into groups

2. 3.Group discussion one topic at a time, people will be overwhelmed and can’t focus giving poor quality 4.Sharing time: be consequitive to maximise time and present a smooth and efficient discussion keepint it short and equal. 5.second topic discussion ( ask people to switch and talk with different people ) 6.Sharing. 7.free talk

Christopher's comment

Yes Kevin I agree totally none natives should be allowed to exchange opinions and express with ittle more freedom and time to formulate ideas and present them as clearly as possible in english

Some guidance not substitution may still be needed during this period.

after all if this was a mandarin corner it would be reversed