XN000022-1995-04-19 — Page 49

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Student exchange scheme to improve oral English skills

The following is a question by the Hon David Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Michael Leung, in the Legislative Council today Wednesday):

Question:

The American Chamber of Commerce has launched an English conversation programme in a bid to increase the use of spoken English in the territory. This pilot programme will involve matching two English speaking volunteers with eight to ten participants to brush up their English skills through conversation about different topics and interests. Will the Government inform this Council whether consideration will be given to adopting a similar programme in primary and secondary schools in the territory through student exchanges among these schools so as to increase the use of spoken English in schools?

Reply:

Mr President,

The American Chamber of Commerce English conversation programme is designed to assist people at work. At the school level, there are a number of English speaking skills programmes organised for students, which can be considered as broadly comparable to the American project.

Since October 1993, the Education Department and the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) have been running a programme "Teen Time" which provides opportunities for both local and expatriate students to practise English. Earlier this month the Education Department and RTHK have started another English radio programme "The Reading Ear" for local and expatriate students to discuss together literature, poetry, drama and films.

A number of local secondary schools also organise joint activities with English Schools Foundation schools and other international schools in Hong Kong.

With the support of the Language Fund, a number of new initiatives will be implemented in 1995-96. They include: