Guests and students pose for a picture at Friday¡¯s launch ceremony of the junior English reporters project at the Shenzhen Press Tower in Futian District. Xu Guangming
CHILDREN aged eight and above became eligible to apply for positions as junior English reporters on Shenzhen Daily on Friday to learn about journalism and enhance their English skills through training and social activities.
All middle and primary school students in Guangdong Province are eligible and the newspaper will open a Junior English Journalist Column in a new Wednesday-only education edition, YES TEENS!, to publish the best contributions.
The program creates a platform for children to learn about society and the world, to teach students basic journalism and to enhance their communication and English skills through social activities, Shen Xianzhi, Shenzhen Daily deputy editor-in-chief, said at the launch ceremony Friday.
“After completing written and oral examinations, they will undertake a series of training courses conducted by Chinese and foreign experts in English and journalism,” Shen said.
Program manager, Jiang Yun, said the students would be encouraged to write their own stories and conduct interviews to promote Chinese youth culture.
Junior reporters would have a chance to interview government officials and prominent people in the fields of culture, art, science, sports and entertainment. They would also be involved in reporting important events such as the coming Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou in 2010 and the 26th Universiade to be held in Shenzhen in 2011, said Jiang.
“They will also go to expatriate communities to learn about the lives of foreigners working here through interviews and making friends with foreign children for cultural exchange activities,” Jiang said.
Applications and more information about the program can be found at www.szdaily.com or call 8351-9911 or 8639-1236.
Wang Yuanyuan