Students move from the streets to success mastering 4 languages in 4 years

Five years ago Paul Qin left his real estate investments and career as a Japanese tour guide in Hong Kong, and moved to a small village in China’s Henan Province.  Rather than working for a paycheck, he has spent his time on a project that’s far more valuable. 

In just four years, Qin has given a priceless opportunity for many young people in a small village, many of whom were living on the streets.  He has volunteered the past years to teach them four languages, so that they could use their skills to assist international Olympic visitors. 

When I met some of Qin’s students in Wangfujing, one of Beijing’s busiest shopping areas, they were wearing shirts that said, “China Loves You” and “I Can Speak 4 Languages” written in English, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean.  I assumed they were some elite government group, or children of wealthy diplomats who were spending a fortune to pay for their educations.

I didn’t even think to ask about their background, because they were so confident and their English ability surpassed the majority of many English-speaking Chinese.

Instead, their successful education didn't cost them anything; it's the result of Paul’s twenty-year-old dream to teach underprivileged children.  He has devoted his resources and energy to working with these young people, who now have a promising future ahead of them. 

When the students demonstrated the Olympic cheer for us in five different languages, my friend’s eyes brimmed with tears.  Who could even imagine a group of students who better represent the new Chinese Dream?

Just years ago, they were living in poverty without an opportunity even to leave their village.  Today, they are using their skills in their nation’s capital to represent their country to the world at one of China’s most significant events in their lifetime. 

Though the students are already impressive linguists, their role as international ambassadors is only just beginning.  Qin says he plans to teach them seven languages by the time Guangzhou hosts the Asian Games in 2010.