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Education

curriculum through the use of printed and multimodal texts to motivate students, broaden their knowledge and help them relate the language to different subjects.

Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme

There are about 400 Native-speaking English Teachers (NETs) working in secondary schools and over 460 NETs in primary schools. They collaborate with local English teachers to enhance English language learning and teaching and make English learning experiences more authentic for students. They also help create a rich English language environment and promote innovative teaching strategies. Overall, the scheme improves classroom practices and students' attitudes towards learning English.

Non-Chinese-speaking Students

The government encourages and supports the early integration of non-Chinese-speaking (NCS) students into the community, including by facilitating their adaptation to the local education system and mastery of the Chinese language. The Chinese Language Curriculum Second Language Learning Framework helps primary and secondary NCS students overcome difficulties in learning Chinese as a second language. Complementary measures include professional training for teachers, learning and teaching resources, and funding for schools to provide intensive Chinese Language teaching and create an inclusive learning environment. Applied Learning Chinese (for NCS students) is offered at senior secondary level as an additional channel to help NCS students obtain an alternative Chinese language qualification and prepare them for further studies and career pursuits. In addition to the HKDSE qualification, it is also pegged at Qualifications Framework (QF) levels 1 to 3. It is accepted for admission to UGC-funded universities and most post-secondary institutions as well as appointments to the civil service.

The Chinese Language Learning Support Centre offers support programmes for NCS students and professional development workshops for teachers. It conducts workshops for parents to encourage parental support for their children in learning Chinese.

UGC-funded universities accept various Chinese language qualifications under specified circumstances as alternatives to the HKDSE so that their applicants may meet the general entrance requirements under the Joint University Programmes Admissions System. These qualifications include the General Certificate of Secondary Education, International General Certificate of Secondary Education, and General Certificate of Education AS-Level and A-Level. Similar arrangements are available for admission to sub-degree programmes. Eligible NCS students taking these Chinese language examinations are subsidised so that the fee they pay is the same as the HKDSE Chinese Language examination fee. Those with financial needs may further receive half or full remission of the subsidised examination fees.

The government works with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to hold district-based programmes, supported by the Language Fund, to motivate NCS children to learn Chinese through fun activities. For NCS school leavers, course providers offer vocational Chinese language courses pegged at QF level 1 or 2.

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