B: Welcome to Letterbox. First we have a letter from a new listener, Mick Gallagher from Australia. 
"This is the first time I have written to CRI. I have been listening on shortwave only for a few days now. Unfortunately, my receiver is very basic. It's only an analogue radio, but I hope to upgrade it in the near future. I have enjoyed listening to your English service. Keep up the good work."

A: The next letter is from Grant Skinner of the UK. 
"I'd like to thank you all for the nice and excellent programs. Radio gives us a glimpse into each other's life and work no matter where we live, it keeps us abreast of what is going on in the world. CRI is a vital means of staying in touch. I am thankful to CRI since it's the best way to know more about China, Chinese news and culture."

B: And British listener Bishnubabu says:
"China is in the center of the news world for long. After U.S. President Obama's visit, almost every paper here is full of coverage about China and Chinese economy. When I read today's Financial Times, I find there is no page which doesn't mention the word 'China'. It's really amazing! I just wonder how many times the word 'China' being typed or printed every day worldwide."

A: The next letter is from Margaret Ross of the U.S:
"I have never seen CRI but I am most happy to learn about the fascinating country of China through your programs. Many countries have made amazing strides, but I think no country has come as far as China has in just the last two decades. It is very astounding! Go China!"

B: Another American listener, Mark Schiefelbein, writes in to say:
"President Obama's visit to Asia was heavily covered in the American media, but I also visited the CRI website and tuned in to your programs to see what China's perspective was. I was pleased that both the U.S. and Chinese Presidents seem to be committed to building a stronger and more harmonious relationship between China and the United States. It is a good thing to see a constructive relationship between the two countries."

A: Mark continues to say:
"I spent several months traveling around China in 2003, and I have been having fun trying to hear CRI from the places I visited. I have been taking a course in Chinese at our local university this semester. It is an introductory class for non-students, which teaches some basic grammar and sentences. It's far below the level of the Chinese lessons broadcast on CRI, but it has been very helpful to practice my Chinese pronunciation with a native speaker. Maybe someday soon I will be at the level when I can learn from the lessons on CRI."

B: And finally, we have a very young listener, Melanie Moesser from Germany.
"I am 10 years old, and I'm interested in information on children at my age. What are the normal school days of a 10-year-old Chinese youth? How long do they stay in school per day? What are the lessons they have in school? What school holidays are there in China and how long?"

A: Here in China, children begin to receive the six-year primary school education around the age of six. They go to school from Monday to Friday and stay at school for seven or eight hours each day.

B: Major courses for primary school students include Chinese, math, English, PE, music and art. They also have some minor subjects like science, computer, moral education and social practice.

A: Chinese students have two school vacations each year. One is the winter vacation, which falls around the Spring Festival season and lasts for four weeks. The other is the summer vacation, which usually runs from mid-July to the end of August.

B: And that's all we have for today's Letterbox. Listener's Garden will continue after the break.