Hong Kong: Language policy to be tabled mid-Jan

[Harold Schiffman]

Language policy to be tabled mid-Jan



The proposal on fine-tuning the medium of instruction policy for
junior secondary level will be presented to the Legislative Council's
Education Panel meeting in mid-January, the Education Bureau said
today.



Once the details are finalised they will be implemented in the 2010-11
school year.



The bureau said there has been a general consensus among the majority
of the stakeholders over the need to change the rigid arrangement
under the existing policy, so students will be given more exposure to
Chinese and English to achieve the goal of proficiency in both
languages.



The bureau said it is arbitrary to say at this stage the fine-tuning
proposal will not be implemented.



It said it aims to give schools more flexibility and room for
development to make professional decisions on school-based medium of
instruction arrangements to ensure smooth transition for students to
senior and post-secondary education, which is normally conducted in
English.



The bureau will continue discussions with stakeholders on the
implementation details.

http://news.gov.hk/en/category/atschool/081224/html/081224en02002.htm
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