Ray Du and Crown Du, the duo behind the English-learning YouTube channel with the highest number of subscribers in Taiwan, are serving as spokespersons for the 2018 Tainan English Reading Festival. The brother and sister pair recently traveled to Tainan to film a promotional video for the festival. After hearing about the Tainan City Government’s efforts to promote an English-friendly environment, they offered to assume the role of foreign tourists and put the English proficiency of English-friendly local shops to the test. The English abilities of one store manager were so good that Ray Du was left “flabbergasted.” Are you curious about whom this store manager is? The Tainan City Government’s Office of English as the Second Official Language (OEASOL), the festival’s organizer, invites everyone to stay tuned to Ray Du’s YouTube channel. The answer will be revealed at 9 p.m. on July 12.
The OEASOL invited Internet celebrities Ray Du and Crown Du to serve as activity spokespersons for the “2018 Tainan English Reading Festival” and join the “all Tainan residents learn English campaign.” The duo traveled to Tainan for one day to see if “they could visit all of Tainan using only English.” They put seven bilingual shops to the test, including Wu Wan Chun Candied Fruits Store, Mi727 Optical Company, Du Hsiao Yueh Restaurant, Oodo Bike Rental, Doro Succulents, Anping Shop, and Chicken House. Ray Du and Crown Du said, “The English abilities of Tainan’s bilingual shops are really quite good. Everyone should bring their foreign friends to visit Tainan.” As the filming of the video happened to take place during the summer vacation period, some young fans were left elated by the unexpected celebrity sighting.
In addition to testing the English proficiency of bilingual shops, Ray Du and Crown Du also sampled Cheng Gong Potato Chips from the popular “snacks of the gods” line, and taught everyone how to say the terms for famous Tainan delicacies such as “dried pitted plums” and “shrimp crackers” in English. Crown Du, who doesn’t eat cilantro, also explained “how to order Danzai noodles without cilantro.” The video is vibrant and fun, and teaches English while promoting Tainan’s tourism, culture, and delicacies.
The OEASOL says in addition to shooting this promotional video, Ray Du and Crown Du also joined the “English Book Review Contest” by writing their own book reviews and demonstrating how to submit reviews for the chance to win prizes. Ray Du’s English book recommendation was “Crushing It!,” which explores social media, while Crown Du recommended the science fiction novel “Red Rising.” Tainan residents can submit their own reviews via the “2018 Tainan English Reading Festival” official website for the chance to win one of hundreds of great prizes including iPads and suitcases. The OEASOL encourages residents to invite their family members and friends to read English books together. The more entries that are submitted, the higher the chances of winning a prize!
Those wising to see Ray Du in person can register for “Ray Du’s Special Lectures.” Two sessions are scheduled for July 28 at Xushi Music Library. There will be prize draws for limited special edition “Ray Du English” magazines and totes autographed by Crown Du. The number of spaces is limited, so the OEASOL urges people to make haste and register!
Official website of the 2018 Tainan English Reading Festival: http://www.tainanlovesreading.com.tw
Website of the “English Book Review Contest”: http://bookreview.tainanlovesreading.com.tw/Info.aspx
Ray Du’s Special Lectures: http://www.tainanlovesreading.com.tw/event/rd_lecture/
