Beijing: English handbook to help taxi drivers issued

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has stimulated an upsurge for learning English in Beijing, especially among taxi drivers. But due to their educational background, most of them have difficulties in acquiring the skill.

Beijing Youth Daily reports that an English-learning handbook for taxi drivers has been produced and that some copies have already been distributed to wanting taxi drivers.

The handbook consists of a pamphlet called "Olympic English" and a card with frequently-used words on it. The pamphlet includes about 200 entries in its 11 chapters, covering the Olympics, embassies, guesthouses and etc.

The paper said that nearly 70 percent of all taxi drivers in Beijing are from suburban areas, and with this handbook they can quickly look up how to communicate with foreign travellers. The paper adds that, if it proves highly effective, a Chinese-English-French version will be issued.