CONFIDENTIAL
LORD BELSTEAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG : 6 TO 10 DECEMBER 1982
BRIEF NO.19 : THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN HONG KONG: BACKGROUND BRIEF
1.
BACKGROUND
The British Council began work in Hong Kong in 1948. A small
Direct Teaching of English Operation opened its doors in 1976.
There are now over 12,000 students, some 120 locally-engaged
teachers and over 50 office staff. Over £1.7 million of revenue is generated per annum and the Council's work in Hong Kong is
entirely self-supporting.
2. AIM
The aim of the British Council in Hong Kong is to promote an
enduring understanding and appreciation of Britain through cultural, educational and technical cooperation, and specifically by:
(a) running a Direct Teaching of English Operation to high
professional standards;
(b)
advising the Hong Kong Department of Education on the
improvement of English teaching in schools;
(c)
retraining English Language teachers for Hong Kong
Department of Education;
(d)
(e)
running a balanced programme of activities in the Arts;
promoting academic and professional exchanges between
Britain and Hong Kong with particular emphasis on staff development in key institutions;
(E)
acting as an information point on Britain.
The Council plans to maintain at the present level a broad and
balanced programme of activity which is entirely financed from its local earnings. The Council's office also provides support
services for Council work in China.
CONFIDENTIAL
3.