Bastardising would be another way of putting it.
Following on from the success of the English language learning centre it opened in Shanghai two years ago, the Walt Disney Company (probably need a Trademark or ® after that) has rapidly expanded to offer nine more in the city and a further four in Beijing. Using the latest technology, 2 to 12 year olds are taught, with the help of a little Disney (TM or ®, etc) magic – did I really say that? – the rudiments of English, which they’re supposed to be taught at school, but evidently aren’t.
Enrolment in the classes has skyrocketed, with Disney (TM or ®, etc) expecting three figure growth this coming year as it plans to double the number of centres it has in the country. Whether there are any plans for a reciprocal set up is anyone’s guess, but I can’t see Americans flocking to a Chinese language learning centre were the Beijing Happy Pictures Cultural Communications Co. to ever set one up in New York or Washington.
Now whilst I’d be the first to advocate cartoon watching as a means of improving a chap’s foreign language skills – Asterix in Spanish is a joy to any ear – it seems rather unfair to inflict the vile and often frightening creature that is Mickey Mouse onto unsuspecting Chinese children, and all in the name of giving them an American accent. I’m not just saying this because I’m more of a Warner Bros person, either, but some Disney (TM or ®, etc) stuff is just shocking!
And before anyone mentions it, yes, I know I could have brought up the subject of the Three Rs . . . .
