Instructor Yuriy Hryhorzhevskyy gives a lesson during the Shenzhen Longhua International Promoter "Meet Longhua, Meet APEC" Foreign Language Training Camp at the Shenzhen Longhua International Cooperation Center (LICC) on Aug. 16. Photos by LICC

Seventy local trainees gathered at the Shenzhen Longhua International Cooperation Center (LICC) on Aug. 16 for the Shenzhen Longhua International Promoter “Meet Longhua, Meet APEC” Foreign Language Training Camp, where they practiced real-world APEC delegation reception scenarios ranging from airport pickups and hotel check-ins to welcome speeches and emergency response.

Hosted by the LICC and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research Prosperity Alliance Shenzhen (GBA) Center, the session trained participants to deliver concise messages, including 30-second pitches on Longhua’s transport links and international services, as well as 60- to 90-second welcome speeches and the use of both open-ended and closed-ended questions to assess guests' needs.

Participants pose for a group photo during the Longhua International Promoter "Meet Longhua, Meet APEC" Foreign Language Training Camp.

Attendees worked in pairs on six- to eight-minute role-play scenarios, followed by 30-second itinerary recaps. Lead instructor Yuriy Hryhorzhevskyy identified emergency response as "the most critical segment," stressing that composure and clarity in English during flight delays, lost luggage or room mix-ups directly affect guest safety and trust.

For short introductions, he advised limiting highlights to one to three landmarks, citing Longhua Hakka Village as an example of how to highlight cultural authenticity while avoiding generic descriptions.

Hryhorzhevskyy also said the course aims to develop the business English skills needed for APEC hospitality work in Shenzhen. He described a three-stage approach: building foundational skills, developing contextual fluency, and practicing real-world interactions between locals and foreign visitors.