On Language 5/12: Teaching English in Hong Kong, Or Not

Hong Kong’s students left at a loss for words
Chicago Tribune, May 12, 2005
By Nathan Bierma
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Hong Kong’s linguistic situation is nearly as complex as its political situation. Hong Kong has partial independence as a “special administrative region” of China. Both English and Chinese are official languages of the territory, although English is, in practice, mostly restricted to politics and business, while Chinese is used in the home and in social settings.

To make matters more complicated, the Hong Kong government says it wants students to be “biliterate but trilingual.” That is, students should be able to write in both English and standard written Chinese, and they should be able to fluently speak English, Cantonese (a regional dialect of Chinese spoken in Hong Kong and parts of mainland China) and Putonghua (the spoken equivalent of standard written Chinese, which has its own distinct features).

Dan Lu provides more background by e-mail:

Posted by Nathan Bierma on 05/12 at 02:39 PM

  1. The English Schools Foundation (ESF) gives a very high pay but the work load is the same as other schools. ESF primary schools inc. Kowlon Junior School, Beacon Hill School, Quarry Bay School, Hong Lok Yuen ,Sha Tin Junior and lots more. ESF secondary schools inc. Sha Tin College, Renissance College, KGV, South Island School, West Island School, Island School and Discovery College. Check the ESF’s homepage for more information.
    regards
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    Posted by darman  on  09/03  at  05:42 AM
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