BEIJING, June 1 -- What happens when the 2010 World Expo, multiple languages, and Shanghai classrooms converge? The result is a precocious look at the future, right here in the present. Damion Jones visits one school to observe the process up close.
Shanghai's Kang Qiao District is located south of the city's Outer Ring Road, on the East Side of the Huangpu River.
Five years ago, this neighborhood was predominantly rural. Since that time, streets have been paved, new apartment complexes have sprung up, and campus life at the school named for the area has improved by leaps and bounds.
Mrs. Chen is giving her eighth graders their daily English lesson, but this particular class features an interesting twist. The topic is the 2010 World Expo.
Many of these youngsters have quickly developed their own interpretations of the event's theme.
Eighth grade student Neil Shi said, "Better city Shanghai is more beautiful. Better life ... People are more friendly."
Eighth grade student Lucy Lu said, "Shanghai will be more and more popular, and Shanghainese life will be comfortable."
Eighth grade student Willian Huang said, "I think this is a chance to make people from all over the world know about China."
Some of their peers, on the other hand, are eager to put their linguistic learnings to practical use.
Eighth grade student Christina Yan said, "I will speak English so that I can talk to foreigners at the Expo."
Eighth grade student Jacky Shen said, "I will go to the Expo during the summer holiday."
Eighth grade student Coco Huang said, "I will tell the foreigners the road, and communicate with them in English."
As the clock moves forward from International Children's Day to the end of final exams, these students appear set to enjoy a very rewarding summer.
Mrs. Song's seventh graders are in their second year of studying German. Most are excited about the World Expo's impact on their city's future.
Seventh grade student Allan Chen said, "Many foreigners can come to Shanghai, and know what happened to Shanghai, and Shanghai's local snacks, and something special."
Seventh grade student Grace Xu said, "I think it shows the country's special things."
The enthusiasm these kids have for the big event clearly emerges when they address their classmates.
Seventh grade student Ken Sheng said, "I'm looking forward to them, and I hope that the Expo will pull in the world."
Seventh grade student Robin Xue said, "If you have a better city, you will have a better life."
That's an idea people of all ages can rally behind, in any tongue, on this International Children's Day.
Correspondent Damion Jones said, "I personally taught English to the majority of these junior high school students during the most formative years of their lives. From interacting with international language instructors at an early age, to witnessing the profound changes the 2010 World Expo has brought to their hometown, these adolescents should be well prepared -- upon reaching adulthood -- to make their marks on a global landscape characterized by fewer language barriers than at any time in modern human history."
