Luwan District is spending some 600,000 yuan (US$72,289) to send 51 top governmental officials to a high-end English training facility.
They are required to learn English in their spare time at the Wall Street English School's branch in Xintiandi.
The training, which will last for one year, includes computer-based teaching and communication with foreign lecturers.
District officials said they want to enhance employees English skills to be in line with the requirements of an international city like Shanghai.
The 51 officials are mostly department directors or chiefs in their 30s.
"Luwan District is located in downtown so there are more chances to serve foreigners. English is important to streamline officials' work and build a good government image," said an official identified as Qi from the Luwan District Personnel Bureau.
"This training is focusing on their listening skills and spoken English. We hope their English level can improve by four levels according to Wall Street's testing," Qi said.
"This is the third time that we received such students. According to their jobs, we have a special role-play courses for them," said an official with the school.