Canadian expat gets English voices heard in Chongqing

Every Tuesday night at Guga Garden Cafe in Chongqing's Yuzhong district, keen English learners gather to share stories and practice the language.

Led by Canadian expatriate Paul Jackson, these English corners have evolved into something more than education, attracting a diverse professional demographic that includes ophthalmologists, psychologists, lawyers and fellow Chongqing expats.

Since its launch in March last year, Maple Chili English Corner has attracted over 500 members to its WeChat group.

Jackson, 67, one of the three founders of the event, describes the gathering not as a traditional English corner but as an "English social event". His vision extends beyond language practice, aiming to broaden participants' social and networking circles.

"I strongly believe that the more social you are, the better social connectivity you have in life, business and pleasure," said Jackson, who brings an international perspective and dynamic teaching style to the gatherings. With a background in Canada's film and television industry, and with several years' experience teaching English at universities in Chongqing, he enriches the sessions with insights and anecdotes.

In a session on Jan 13, he presented Mayday, a 52-minute episode from a television series he worked on years ago about air crash investigations, analyzing it scene by scene for the audience. Later, participants engaged in lively discussions.

The interest in learning English in Chongqing comes at a time when the city is enjoying increasing international attention for its unique architecture and mountainous urban landscape.

The municipality welcomed 2.48 million foreign visitors in 2025.

Jackson, who has visited 25 cities in China, finds Chongqing especially captivating. "It is a very big city, but it doesn't feel like a 'monster'," he said, noting that the districts, divided by rivers and mountains, each have a small-town charm.

Beyond the landscapes, weather, food and slower pace compared to other big cities, Jackson said the most appealing aspect of Chongqing is its people. "I've met with nothing but total hospitality and friendship here," he said.

Eva Zhou, a 58-year-old Chinese-Canadian and fellow organizer, praised Jackson's charisma and insight. "Paul is a walking encyclopedia, full of energy and optimism," she said.

Zhou, an immigration consultant and IELTS teacher, actively promotes the event on the social media platform Xiaohongshu, or RedNote.

Participants have said they've found the event immensely beneficial.

Zou Wei, 21, found his first job through the event. During his second time participating in May last year, he met a fellow attendee who ran a trade company and offered him a role that matches Zou's foreign trade studies.

Chen Yu, a 29-year-old attendee, emphasized the unique value of Maple Chili English Corner.

"I've been to four English corners in the city, but this one is the only one that offers presentations on various topics by organizers and outstanding participants, which helps me learn something new," she said.

Co-organizer Li Shuchen said at the beginning, they were concerned that professional presentations might be too complicated for an English corner and less engaging than casual chats.

"It turns out that this format generates stronger participant stickiness and sustained engagement," Li said.

While finding a suitable presenter each week can be challenging, the evenings are always filled with lively discussions and mingling, and often conclude with cheerful singing and dancing.

Jackson said he and his team are brainstorming creative ideas to enhance the experience. Plans include introducing new activities such as speed dating and squash events, drawing on Jackson's experience as a tennis and squash instructor.

The enthusiasm for learning English, especially spoken English, is evident in China. Statistics from the Chongqing Library indicate that there are currently at least 30 English corners scattered in the southwestern municipality.

The first English corner in China is believed to have originated at Shanghai People's Park in 1978, coinciding with the beginning of China's reform and opening-up. It emerged due to the influx of foreign tourists staying at nearby international hotels, which encouraged language enthusiasts to engage in conversations to improve their spoken English.

Throughout the 1980s and 90s, English corners spread nationwide, from parks to campuses, driven by the demands of economic globalization, students' exam preparation, cultural exchange and technological advancements.

Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn