Shanghai and Beijing, June 9, 2010: — The dragon boats are being polished and Zongzi, Chinese rice dumplings, are being sold again on street stands. Disney English is gearing up for the Chinese national holiday- the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on June 16^th this year. Dragon Boat celebrations at Disney English will allow kids to explore this important date on the Chinese calendar- from coloring and making their own dragon boats to singing songs and decorating the centers to get into the spirit of this holiday.

"Since opening, Disney English believes that in the process of teaching English, we also have to be respectful towards Chinese culture," Andrew Sugerman, general manager, Disney English said. "We will continue to arrange activities across all of our centers in Shanghai and Beijing during key Chinese celebrations for children to learn, create and communicate and of course have fun, in English."

Now in our second year of celebrating this Chinese festival, Disney English parents have been enthusiastic about celebrating key local holidays at the centers. All of the children will each go home with their own colored dragon boat to display proudly at home.

 

Young learner Tiger and his father Mr. Wang Hai enjoyed coloring in their Dragon Boat together: "After all, my child is living in China. Chinese culture means a lot to him. It is good to see that at Disney English my child has the chance to learn something about our local culture through English."

 

Another young learner Josephine and her mother Ms. Shen Hui also enjoyed the festivities at the center, "I think it is a great idea to add Chinese cultural related activities into the classroom. In general, nowadays children have limited knowledge on Chinese local culture. I am happy to see that at Disney English they have exposure to both cultures at Disney English."

 

Young learner Peddy enjoys the singing during Dragon Boat Festivities. Peddy’s mother, Ms. Hu Zheng Guang says “I like this idea very much. At Disney English, the teaching method is from abroad; however the content can be locally relevant. It is also important for my child to have a good understanding of Chinese local cultural while learning English.”

 

Foreign Trainer Ben shares a laugh with the young learners as they color in their Dragon Boats.

For more information about the Disney English programs and centers, please log onto www.disneyenglish.com