Promoting Bi-literacy and Tri-lingualism

46. It is our policy to promote bi-literacy and tri-lingualism. Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city, and it needs to promote the wider use of basic English. As part of China, Hong Kong people should also learn to speak fluent Putonghua. This will facilitate effective communication and business exchanges with the Mainland. We are now conducting a comprehensive review of the current curriculum, the quality of teachers, teaching methods and the social environment in our efforts to upgrade the language ability of our students. We expect to develop concrete proposals by the middle of next year.

47. Since the 1998-1999 school year, the Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme has been operating in secondary schools. Although the scheme encountered some teething problems, it has gradually brought about a new culture of English language teaching in our schools that is widely supported.

48. For effective language learning, it should start as early as possible. From the start of the next school year, we will strengthen English language teaching in primary schools with various initiatives. Our targets include providing native English-speaking teachers or teaching assistants in every primary school and the organisation of more extra-curricular activities using English.