Everywhere you turn in Shanghai there are reminders that Expo 2010 is coming. Expo 2010 is an important international event that, like the 2008 Beijing Olympics, promises to showcase Shanghai and China to the world.

For the past two years the Shanghai Yew Wah International Education School – OUPP has been involved in the preparation for Expo 2010 by providing the English language teachers that have been selecting and training the many high caliber young people who are hoping to serve as ambassadors for this important event. These young ambassadors will be China’s face for the many people from foreign countries who visit Expo 2010. This important job requires not only the ability to communicate well in English, but also intercultural communication skills, tact and good judgment.

Since 2006 Yew Wah teachers have trained well over 30,000 junior and senior secondary school students during one-day and weekend English camps that take place during the Chinese Spring Festival and April. During these camps and at other Expo 2010 preparation events our teachers not only teach English, but also organize parties, talent shows, English corners and adjudicate English language contests. One of our teachers, Mr. David Prichard, has attained a level of fame while serving as the English language MC for TV shows associated with Expo 2010 English language training events and contests.

As principal of our Yew Wah International School in Shanghai, I am very glad that our school has had this opportunity to serve the wider Shanghai community by providing the teachers for Expo 2010 English language events. This volunteer service has been a win-win situation. The Expo committee has received high quality English teaching for their events. We have been able to spread the Yew Wah name by giving potential students the opportunity to experience our teacher’s teaching, care and spirit. The result: an increasing number of excellent students from top junior high schools are choosing to enroll in our academic programs.