XN000022-1996-05-02 — Page 6

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a study of the relationship between Putonghua and the Chinese subjects in the school curriculum;

* development of a vocational language programme, a public information

programme and a liaison network for research activities.

Mrs Yu agreed with the Language Fund Advisory Committee's (LFAC) recommendations that the first professional, employed on contract terms at assistant directorate grade, should be a language expert with well established connections in the field and the leadership to steer and supervise both in-house and outside research projects.

The second professional employed also on contract terms at a salary scale of Master Pay Scale 45 to 49, should have sufficient knowledge in language subject and research methology.

Mrs Yu accepted LFAC's view that all five projects above meet the objective of the LFAC to raise standards in English and Chinese (including Putonghua).

"I endorse the committee's view that it should take a more proactive approach to address language issues.

"I am confident that these projects will help to enhance language proficiency in Hong Kong and to formulate a coherent and strategic language policy in education,' she said.

The projects supported by the Language Fund now total 78, amounting to $111.3 million.

The Language Fund, set up in May 1994 with an initial allocation of $300 million, is to support proposals and initiatives that will raise the standards in Chinese (including Putonghua) and English, enhance existing efforts and meet temporary shortfalls in language teaching resources.

The Fund also encourages research into problem areas and initiation of new approaches.

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