on the one hand and exclusively Chinese on the other, and to determine
-
appropriate arrangements for the bulk of the students between these two
extremes. As part of the research some carefully controlled experimentation
in selected schools is thought to be necessary for example, varying
degrees of language combination in the curriculum. Current practices in
Anglo-Chinese schools would need to be clearly identified and evaluated
and research carried out in resource materials, including the desirability
and efficacy of bilingual textbooks. The first modest steps have been
taken in this direction by the Departmental Educational Research
Establishment (ERE) but the resources of ERE will need to be strengthened
for the full programme of research to be launched. It is strongly felt
that until reliable information is available and measures to strengthen
language learning have shown results it will not be possible to formulate
a generally acceptable policy on the medium of instruction. Meanwhile,
the Advisory Inspectorate continues to give positive encouragement and
guidance to schools in fostering the best educational conditions possible
within their chosen medium of instruction: in the nature of things this
is most effectual in those cases where the existing medium of instruction
cannot sensibly be disputed - for example, where Chinese is already being
used for less able students with little or no ability in English.
reviewing policy the government is aware that undesirable social divisions
could be created (given the prestige attached to an English education) if
the language situation in schools became polarised: particular attention
is being paid to this problem.
The Advisory Inspectorate
7.8
In
In the field of teacher education, which is discussed in chapter
6, it is too early to assess the effectiveness of the new measures being
taken by the colleges of education to improve the quality of teaching.
Within the schools quality control is a major concern of the Advisory
Inspectorate, which is a division of the Education Department in the