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EDUCATION
English-language teaching is the major programme of the council in Hong Kong and over 28 000 Hong Kong residents attended courses at the English Language Centre in 1988-90. In addition, a summer school for 5 800 secondary school students was held. Language improvement courses were provided for 225 primary English teachers.
Specially-tailored English courses were run at a number of Hong Kong's major business organisations, and, in conjunction with RTHK, the council provided radio courses for schools and for business-letter writing. Teacher training courses were run during the year, including one Royal Society of Arts diploma and two Royal Society of Arts certificate courses for teaching English as a foreign language.
The council also works with the Hong Kong University and the Chinese University in the promotion and teaching of English. It sponsors conferences, workshops and seminars in the teaching of English and also jointly sponsors scholarships for top students, business executives and journalists.
Visits to Hong Kong were arranged for specialists in such diverse areas as education, textiles, law, medicine and computer architecture. The council sent representatives of various professions to Britain for courses and familiarisation visits and eight Fellowships were awarded, three to prominent young theatre professionals in subjects such as choreography and directing. Three awards were made to handicapped students who will be studying computer networking and special education.
Through its arts programme, the council seeks to further the understanding and appreciation of British arts in Hong Kong and to develop closer links with local arts organisations. It organised, sponsored and co-sponsored many arts events, especially in the areas of visual and performing arts. Notable events were a British Film Week, the Charlie Chaplin Centenary touring exhibition, a retrospective of Chaplin films, and Hitchcock: the British Profile.
The council's library represents all aspects of British life and culture, although the emphasis is on English-language teaching and teacher training. There is also a film and video library covering a wide range of topics. During the year, the library has been re-organised and major work undertaken to complete a retrospective reclassification of stock, giving members the benefit of a comprehensive new microfilm catalogue with subject listings. Library membership is open to all Hong Kong residents.
The promotion of British education is undertaken by the Education Counselling and Promotion Service of the British Council. The service gave advice and assistance to 10 300 students seeking admission to British institutions of higher and further education in 1988-9. Three missions from British universities, polytechnics and colleges involving some 85 institutions visited Hong Kong during the year and individual visits were made by 99 institutions.
The council organised the British Education Exhibition in November and more than 130 universities, polytechnics, colleges, examination bodies and other educational organisations participated.