PEOPLE gave Fu Wenbao the lovely nickname "Fat Teacher" after he opened an English corner near the City Planning Exhibition Centre on Saturday mornings. Fu, 43, a laid-off worker, established this English Corner in 2001 after devoting himself to the study of the English language for more than eight years.

He began learning English after starting work at the Shanghai No.1 Iron and Steel Factory in 1982.

"Both my parents are illiterate and I always knew if one is to develop oneself, education is necessary. So I bought 'New Concept' and other textbooks and started learning," he said.

In 1997, he was laid-off from his job but he was not discouraged. "I didn't want to be considered disadvantaged. I have my advantage - English. I can make use of my English to help people," recalled Fu.

Along with being a volunteer at the Japanese Corner in Hongkou Park every Sunday morning and the English Corner in Renmin Park on Sunday afternoons, he was invited last year by the Correspondence Station of the PLA Commission in Shanghai to teach soldiers English .

"I am fully occupied now. On weekdays, I teach six sections of the PLA. On weekends, I hold three English corners," he said.

Fu does all this for free, even though he only receives 280 yuan (US$34) a month in unemployment pay.

"To me, the most important thing is not how much money I make - I'm single and I have little need for material things. Through my teaching and volunteer work, I help so many people and thus realize my value. I show others that laid-off workers can make great contributions too."

Yuan Yaliang, a 23 year-old university student, expressed her gratitude to Fat Teacher. She learned about this English Corner three years ago when she was in high school.

"Fat Teacher knocked at the door of our classroom and introduced himself and this English Corner. Thanks to him, my overall English abilities have improved a lot, especially my spoken English."

A mother surnamed Chen, who takes her 11 year-old son Xue Chenjia to the corner every weekend, said no matter how cold or hot, Fat Teacher always comes to the corner and acts as a conduit through whom people of varying backgrounds get to talk in English.

Even though Fu has overcome many difficulties and the English Corners are gaining increasing popularity, he still feels that much needs to be done.

"A lot of people would like to join the English Corner but are unable to due to time pressure, weather or the environment. That's why the number of participants varies. There are English Corners on weekends, but what about weekdays? Look at us, without a permanent indoor gathering place, the noise and the wind interferes with us."

Last September, with the help of PLA leaders in Shanghai as well as the government of the Baoshan District, Fu registered a company called Fu Wen Bao English Education Consulting Limited.

"To find a permanent meeting room and to organize an English club is my first goal," Fu said confidently.