IT is estimated that more than 2,000 teenaged students in
Shenzhen will go for various overseas study tours in this summer vacation.
Overseas study tour, which mainly targets elementary and high school students, involves not only sightseeing, but also visits to foreign prestigious universities and interactive learning courses.
Travel agencies and newspaper agencies in
Shenzhen have launched various study tours for this summer vacation, many of which are bound for Britain, the United States, Europe as well as Australia.
"Overseas study tours will definitely become more and more popular," said Shen Xianzhi, deputy editor-in-chief of
Shenzhen Daily. "With rich experience in organization and unique tour routes,
Shenzhen has taken the lead in China."
The expense for the study tour, which usually lasts two to three weeks, averages above US$2,400 for each person, and many families in
Shenzhen can afford that, sources said.
Though a overseas tour can not help the students make a leap forward in English study, it may provide them a chance to better understand the outside world and experience different cultures, experts say.
"Different from the abstract theories taught in textbooks, the tour will bring students a vivid personal experience in a real world of English, which may greatly inspire their desire for learning foreign languages, " Shen said.
"Many of the students through the tour can make several foreign friends of the same age, and they have to improve their English if they to stay in contact," he added.
Liao, a teacher with Bao'an High School, who has headed several tour teams, said the tour can best benefit those high school students.
According to Shen Xianzhi, age should not be considered as a decisive factor required for the tour applicants, but if a student is too young to attend himself or herself, it is difficult for him or her to learn in a wholly new world.
He said the overseas study tours organized by
Shenzhen Daily only accept applicants at least nine years old.
