REW continues to provide offshore training for groups in the Aviation industry. A recent four week program took place on the outskirts of a wintery Shanghai. There were 12 students from various regions of China, but mostly from the Shanghai area. The participants worked in a variety of departments within China Eastern Airlines including management planning, first class cabin crew, China Cargo and the planning division. All of the trainee teachers possessed a high language ability in English with most being English majors graduates. They were a talented group of students who were keen to learn and eager to try out new approaches and methods.

There were several aims to the course. The first was to encourage interactive teaching and classroom management skills for people with little or no experience of teaching English. Secondly, to develop the students’ language awareness in a variety of areas and to encourage a better understanding English in general. Thirdly, to familiarise them with the approaches and materials necessary for developing English skills in adult learners. And the final objective was to arm the students with the essential knowledge needed to allow them to teach Aviation English autonomously to pilots, stewardess and other airline staff.

REW's trainer, Mr David Threadgold says the experience of working and living in Shanghai for four weeks was very fulfilling with the opportunity to explore the city and to experience the culture first hand. He reports that Shanghai is a city of contrast with layers of culture often hidden beneath its glossy heart, layers that can only be discovered by exploring the smaller laneways and by getting away from the skyscraper filled downtown areas. And the experience of teaching there was "challenging but ultimately satisfying".