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Press Releases
Make us a regular date: Valentine's Day launch of BBC English Learning on
largest Chinese web portal
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Users of China's largest web portal can now learn English directly from the
site thanks to a partnership deal between BBC World Service and QQ.com - the
first Chinese national portal to enter content partnership with the BBC.
From
Wednesday 14 February 2007, users of the portal will be able to access BBC Learning
English content specially tailored for Chinese speakers.
BBC Learning English teaches reading, listening and comprehension.
It explains
various points of the English language through human interest stories and
topics including UK lifestyle and culture.
The BBC will start English teaching on QQ.com with two popular features, Take
Away English and Quizzes.
Take Away English has been a hit with Chinese users
as it offers MP3 audio and pdf text downloads, so the learner can quite
literally take away the BBC's English lessons.
Topics range from the latest
Harry Potter book and online gaming to Chinese football players, and include
listening, reading, exercises and an audio glossary.
Quizzes offers learners an
interactive test of their English vocabulary and grammar and helps them with
teacher feedback.
Looking ahead at what BBC Learning English has in store for Chinese online
users, Alison Konieczny, Editor of BBC English Language Teaching China team,
said: "We are planning to treat Chinese learners to two more features which
will enrich their English vocabulary in fun and entertaining ways.
"Real English
teaches words and phrases learners won't necessarily find in their
dictionaries, and Word Master is an interactive game which tests and teaches
vocabulary common in English proficiency exams."
Alison added: "I can't think of a better day to launch our partnership with
QQ.com than 14 February, which of course is Valentine's Day.
"It's a memorable
day for a lot of people, and I hope Chinese learners will fall in love with our
BBC pages and make us a regular date!"
BBC World Service's Business Development Manager for China and North Asia,
Raymond Li, added: "We are delighted to partner with one of the leading
national portal sites in China to provide quality English learning content to
many learners in China.
"Internet has become an increasingly popular and
effective learning platform among young people, and the BBC has been building
up successful partnership with China's local portal sites over last few years.
"Our new partnership deal with QQ.com will help us reach more online learners in
China, therefore bringing more benefit to them, too."
Caitlyn Chen, Chief Editor of QQ.com, is also confident about partnership with
the BBC: "QQ.com is committed to providing not only first-class services but
also the most valuable information to our online users.
"Having the BBC as our
partner will enable us to access the most advanced English learning materials
in the world and provide online users in China with the best possible online
environment for English learning.
"I am looking forward to strengthening this
co-operation by launching more content to meet the interests and demands of
online users."
BBC Learning English offers English language teaching programmes and online
content for a global radio and online audience.
English learning materials are
available online at bblearningenglish.com and, for Chinese speakers, on
bbcchina.com.cn.
Notes to Editors
QQ.com is the largest Chinese portal site in China, a comprehensive internet
platform that provides all services including information, interactive
community and entertainment. It serves Chinese speakers all over the world,
aiming to be the most authoritative, interactive, trendy and leading online
media platform.
BBC World Service
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