ENG-1996 — Page 212

EDUCATION

160

During the year, the Education Department provided formal courses of second- chance education from primary to secondary six levels to adult learners at 42 centres. The department also subvented adult education programmes organised by voluntary agencies.

The British Council

The British Council has been active in Hong Kong since 1948. It aims to offer British skills and expertise in the key areas of science and technology, education, training, the arts and English language teaching and learning, to assist Hong Kong's continuing educational and economic development into the next century.

English language teaching is one of the council's major programmes in Hong Kong. It collaborates increasingly with the Education Department, the HKIEd and bodies such as the Language Fund, to improve standards of English teaching and learning in the territory. Through its general and business English courses, intensive summer programmes for Chinese-medium S6 and $7 students, distance-learning programmes, summer schools and teacher training courses, the English Language Centre provided English language-learning opportunities for more than 40 000 Hong Kong residents in 1995-96. The council also arranged for 125 student teachers to visit the UK for courses jointly funded by the Hong Kong Institute of Education.

The council works closely with the government, higher education and other organisations to provide access to British expertise in areas such as the environment, law, planning, education, medicine, nursing, and public administration. A programme of research jointly funded with the Research Grants Council supported some 15 joint projects in 1996. British Studies modules have been presented to nascent Centres for European Studies at the University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University, and a series of electronic mail links has been established between 10 schools in the UK and 10 in Hong Kong.

The council's library and information services are open to all Hong Kong residents and cover aspects of contemporary British life and culture, with an emphasis on management skills and English-language teaching. The collections include books, magazines, newspapers, videos, CD-ROM, music on CD and audio tapes. The library facilities are computerised and free to students of the Council's English Language Centre. Others are charged a nominal annual subscription.

The Study in Britain Centre (formerly known as the Education Counselling Service) provides free and impartial advice to students on educational opportunities available in Britain. In 1995–96, nearly 37 000 students used the service, which also organises regular exhibitions, seminars and interviews so that students can learn first-hand about studying in Britain. The council opened a Distance Learning Centre in January 1995 to provide potential students in Hong Kong with a reliable and objective source of detailed information about UK courses and awarding institutions. It provides easy access to sample course materials.

The council moved into new, purpose-built premises at No 3, Supreme Court Road in December 1996. An entire floor is devoted to information on and services for the UK education and training providers and two other floors will house some 23 classrooms, as well as registration and support services for language learners.

The Cultural Exchanges Unit works with local organisations to present the best of British culture and arts to Hong Kong audiences.