English-only counter at Chongqing school canteen sparks student interest

Students order food at an English-only counter in the canteen of the Chongqing No 8 Middle School. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Diced Chinese bacon and garlic bolts, please," Wang Yanzhe, a junior middle school student said to the canteen staff in English.

He walked away proudly with his food and a gift coupon from the canteen.

"It is so much fun and I love practicing my English in this way," he said.

Last week, to encourage students to practice the foreign language at school, Chongqing No 8 Middle School canteen set up an English only counter and put an English menu outside to introduce the food.

A post outside the canteen advertizes the English-only counter. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students were intrigued by this and gathered around the counter to see how it worked.

"Some students didn't want to leave the counter and want to talk more with me," said Shi Tianhao, 24, the canteen staffer who is in charge of this project.

Shi went to college in the United States majoring in economics and international relations. After graduation, he joined a food company in Chongqing, which provides canteen service to the middle school.

A menu shows correct translations of Chinese dishes. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The English only counter is so popular that some students suggest we set up a few more," he said.

Shi said translating the Chinese food into proper English is a challenge of the project.

Shi Tiantao is in charge of the project. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

For instance, the famous dish "fish-flavored shredded pork" should be translated to "sweet and sour pork, Chongqing style", he said.

The canteen plans to introduce some foreign food to students, such as pizza, pasta, Mexican food, sushi and Arabian style barbecue.