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English Enhancement Grant Scheme for Primary Schools
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The Scheme provides a time-limited grant to primary schools for adopting school-based English enhancement measures. The schools should use the additional resources to build up their capacity for raising students' English proficiency and to achieve sustainable effects after the completion of the Scheme. The actual amount of grant for each school would depend on individual schools' proposals and implementation strategies and the maximum is $500,000. Please refer to the following documents for details:

The Scheme is open to application in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Interested schools may indicate their tentative timing of application in Annex III and return it to eegs@edb.gov.hk on or before 30 November 2009 (Monday).

If schools plan to implement the enhancement measures from September 2010, please forward the Application Form and School-based Implementation Plan (Annex I) to the above email address on or before 15 January 2010 (Friday). Schools will be informed of their application results by May 2010.

Deadline for applications in 2011 and 2012 will be announced in due course.

Enquiries: 3527 0162 / 3527 0176
Email: eegs@edb.gov.hk
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Territory-wide activities for promotion of Putonghua in 2010 ¡V Open call for proposals for grants

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SCOLAR will continue organising school-based and community-wide activities to promote Putonghua in 2010.  Organisations interested in applying for grants to organise such activities may submit their proposals by post or in person for SCOLAR’s consideration:

Submission deadline:  

6:00 p.m., 3 December 2009 (Thursday)
Address:

SCOLAR Support Unit
Room 1702 Skyline Tower
39 Wang Kwong Road, Kowloon Bay
¡iAttention: Project Coordinator (3) ¡j
(Late or faxed/e-mailed applications will not be accepted.)

Notes:

·Priority will be given to activities which could allow participants to use and practice the language in the daily environment.
·The activities must be held by the year of 2010.


Download Guidelines (in Chinese only)

Details of other activities for Promotion of Putonghua

Enquiries: 3165 1186
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Drama-in-Education English Alliance
 

SCOLAR launched the "Drama-in-Education English Alliance" in 2008/09 school year to assist primary schools to promote English drama as a means to arouse students' interest in English language learning and to improve their English language skills.

Related Link(s):

 

 Enquiries:

Tel: 3527 3043 (Miss Tania Tang)

Email: taniatang@edb.gov.hk
 

 

 

Overseas Immersion Programme for English Teachers in Primary Schools in Hong Kong (2009/10)
 

Since 2006/07 school year, SCOLAR has been sponsoring English teachers of primary schools to attend overseas immersion programmes organised by local tertiary institutions in partnership with overseas tertiary institutions. The programmes aim to immerse serving English teachers in an authentic English language and cultural environment; and to enhance their knowledge of English language and the teaching of English as a second language.

Programmes offered in the 2009/10 school year include:

Four-week Programmes (for English panel chairs and experienced English teachers)

  • These programmes, with a focus of training on curriculum leadership, supervising and coaching staff, teacher and resource development, as well as planning and development of a balanced English language curriculum, are most suitable for serving English panel chairs and more experienced English teachers.

Overseas Institution

Programme Dates

Application Deadline

Course Provider

University of Wollongong
New South Wales, Australia

14 November -
13 December 2009

CLOSED

School of Continuing and Professional Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education
(SCPE, HKIEd)

Simon Fraser University
Vancouver, Canada

24 April -
23 May 2010

CLOSED

Six-week Programme (for all English teachers)

  • This programme, with a focus of English language learning and teaching, as well as planning and development of a balanced English language curriculum, is suitable for all English teachers.

Overseas Institution

Programme Dates

Application Deadline

Course Provider

University of Auckland
Auckland , New Zealand

15 February ¡V
26 March 2010

CLOSED

SCPE, HKIEd

Related Link(s):

Enquiries: 3527 0162

 

 

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Overseas Study Programme on English Language Education for Primary School Principals in Hong Kong
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SCOLAR introduced an Overseas Study Programme for Primary School Principals in 2007/08 school year to help primary school principals strengthen English language education in their schools.

Enquiries: 3527 0162

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Professional Development Incentive Grant Scheme for Language Teachers
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The Scheme was launched in 2004, which aims at encouraging serving Chinese and English language teachers who joined the profession before 2004/05 school year to enhance their subject knowledge and pedagogy. An applicant may receive a cash grant up to a maximum of $30,000 to meet 50% of the tuition fee upon successful completion of the relevant programme. Please refer to the following documents for details:

Applications for earmarking of grant are processed on a first-come-first-served basis. The time taken for processing an application for earmarking / release of grant depends on individual case and the number of applications received at a particular time. Under normal circumstances, the Scheme will notify the applicant of the result / progress within 30 working days after the receipt of the application. During the peak season (July to October), the time taken will be about 2 months.

For enquiries, please call 3527 0180.

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Scheme to Support Schools in using Putonghua to Teach Chinese Language Subject
 

To encourage the full and systematic implementation of using Putonghua to teach Chinese in schools, SCOLAR launched a support scheme to assist schools which have determination to implement using Putonghua to teach Chinese through on-site support by mainland experts and local consultants.

The Scheme will be carried out in four phases. Application to the second phase (2009/10 school year) was closed on 31 December 2008. Details of the third phase application (2010/11 school year) will be announced in due course.

Enquiries: 3527 0164 (Ms Tracy Fung)

Email: pmic@edb.gov.hk
 

 

 

Quality English Language Education at Pre-primary Level Project
 

The Quality English Language Education at Pre-primary Level Project launched by SCOLAR aims to explore and develop more comprehensive models of quality English exposure of children at pre-primary level in Hong Kong, through strengthening support in English language education to kindergartens of different background. In the process, the Project provides participating schools and teachers directions and guidance for English language education and curriculum/lesson planning and implementation through professional development of teachers and on-site support or consultancy services.

Professional Development Programmes for Teachers at Pre-primary Level
To enhance teachers¡¦ capacity in providing quality English exposure to young children, the Project organizes a series of professional development programmes for teachers at pre-primary level.

Parent Seminars
The Project organizes parent seminars to share with parents ideas on how to support their children in learning English at home. Admission tickets are distributed through kindergartens participating in the Project.

  • Schedule for seminars in 2009:

Date and Time

Topic

Venue

10: 30 a.m.
14 March (Saturday)

Smooth Transition between Kindergarten and Primary School on English Language Learning

Black Box Theatre
Kwai Tsing Theatre
12 Hing Ning Road
Kwai Chung
New Territories

10: 00 a.m.
18 April (Saturday)

 

Reading at Home

Lecture Hall
The Hong Kong Museum of History
100 Chatham Road South
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

10: 00 a.m.
16 May (Saturday)

Reading at Home

Lecture Hall
The Hong Kong Museum of History
100 Chatham Road South
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

10: 30 a.m.
19 September (Saturday)

Reading at Home

Lecture Hall
Hong Kong Space Museum
10 Salisbury Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Parent Pamphlets
The Project produces Parent Pamphlets to introduce useful information in helping children expose to English.

To download (available in Chinese and jpg files only):

For enquiries, please contact the SCOLAR Kindergarten English Language Team at 3741 2431 or 3741 2430.

 

 

 

SCOLAR's Study on the "Factors Affecting the Use of Putonghua to Teach Chinese Language in Hong Kong Primary and Secondary Schools"
 

SCOLAR launched a study on the "Factors Affecting the Use of Putonghua to Teach Chinese Language in Hong Kong Primary and Secondary Schools" in the second term of the 2003/04 school year. The Study was carried out in twenty primary and secondary schools which used Putonghua to teach Chinese Language Subject ("PMIC"). The focus of the Study was to examine the factors affecting the implementation of PMIC for reference of schools which intended to implement PMIC and other interested parties.

Please click here for the Executive Summary of the Study.

 
 

 

 

Say No to "laan5 jam1"
 

TV and Radio Programmes

TV Programme

A new TV programme series has been launched to introduce some Chinese words that may easily cause the problem of "lazy articulation" in Cantonese. Language education expert was appeared on the programme to demonstrate the proper Cantonese pronunciation of these words. The TV series titled "Say No to 'laan5 jam1' ", produced by the Television Broadcasts Limited, is fully supported by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR). It was aired during the programme"Scoop" between 3 September and 12 October 2007, 7:30pm at TVB Jade Channel.

Please click here for the abstract of each episode (in Chinese only).

Segments on Metro Radio

Furthermore, SCOLAR supported the Metro Radio to produce 20 segments to introduce some Chinese words that may easily cause the problem of "lazy articulation" in Cantonese. Metro's DJs also appeared in the segments to demonstrate how these words should be properly pronounced. The segments broadcast daily on Metro Finance and Metro Showbiz between November and December 2007. Please refer to the Chinese pages for the detailed broadcasting schedule.

Radio Programme on Commercial Radio

Also supported by SCOLAR, another radio programme broadcast in December 2007 for four consecutive Saturdays during the "Love Languages for Children" between 8: 00 a.m. and 9: 00 a.m. on Commercial Radio 1.

Targeting parents, the radio series emphasized the importance of learning to pronounce Cantonese properly from an early age. During the programme, the hosts share with parents the key points to help children avoid lazy articulation.

Segments and Radio Programme on RTHK

Following Metro Radio and Commercial Radio, RTHK had continued the promotion by producing radio segments to introduce some Chinese words that may easily cause the problem of "lazy articulation" in Cantonese among students and young people. The segments were broadcast on RTHK Radio 2's "My Heart Will Go On" between 9:00 p.m. and midnight, Monday to Friday, from 31 March 2008 to 9 May 2008.

In addition, RTHK has produced the "Say No to ¡¥lann5 jam1' (radio version)" radio programme, which was broadcast on RTHK Radio 2 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. from 27 April to 18 May, and on 25 May, 8 and 15 June 2008. In the programme, language education expert introduced the techniques for pronouncing Cantonese properly and illustrated some Chinese words that may easily cause the problem of "lazy articulation" in Cantonese among Hong Kong students. Teachers were also invited to share their experience of tackling the "lazy articulation" problem.

Please click here for a review of the radio segments and programme.

School Activities

SCOLAR, joined hands with the Association for the Promotion of Proper Cantonese Pronunciation, organised the following activities to promote proper Cantonese pronunciation at school level:

  • Proper Cantonese Pronunciation Day Camp (2008/09 school year)
    Some 60 primary schools participated in a series of day camps with games, seminars and tests. Two seminars were also organised for teachers to enhance their understanding of proper Cantonese pronunciation.

    Press release (7 February 2009)
  • Proper Cantonese Pronunciation Ambassador in Schools Programme (2007/08 school year)
    Over 4,000 students from 100 primary and secondary schools participated in the programme and received a series of training on proper Cantonese pronunciation. At the end of the programme, 382 students passed the Cantonese pronunciation proficiency tests and became Student Promotion Ambassadors.

Enquiries: 3165 1189
 
 

 

 

Workplace Chinese Language Curriculum Guide (for ethnic minorities)
 

In response to the needs of ethnic minorities, SCOLAR has compiled a ¡§Workplace Chinese Language Curriculum Guide¡¨. The objective of the Guide is to facilitate courses providers and educational institutes in designing workplace Chinese language courses for ethnic minorities. Course providers may design the relevant courses with reference to the modules in the Guide to facilitate the interested course applicants to have a better understanding of the courses and thereby choose the courses most suitable to his/her needs and level.

Enquiries: 3527 0164

 

 

 

Promotion of Putonghua
 

Since 2002, SCOLAR has been organizing large-scale activities to provide a diversified and fun-filled environment for students to learn Putonghua outside the classroom. Various community-wide activities have also been launched to create an atmosphere for the public to learn and use Putonghua.

2009 Activities
Activity Details (in Chinese only)
Remark : Free admission is available for the following activities. Please call 3165 1189 for reservation of seats on a first-come-first-served basis.

Activity

Date

Time

Venue

Putonghua Broadcaster Competition cum Finale Show of Promotion of Putonghua in 2008/09

29 November 2009
(Sunday)

3 p.m.

 Auditorium, 3/F Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kowloon Bay


Photo Gallery
TV announcement featuring the Ambassador for Promotion of Putonghua 2009, Alex Fong

Press Releases
- Artiste Alex Fong helps SCOLAR promote Putonghua (with photo) (13 September 2009)
- Artiste Alex Fong helps promote lively learning and use of Putonghua (with photo) (30 May 2009)
- SCOLAR's new radio programme promotes Putonghua (with photo) (17 May 2009)
- Public speaking practice improves Putonghua proficiency: SCOLAR Chairman (with photo) (16 May 2009)
- SCOLAR promotes "lively learning and use of Putonghua" (with photo) (15 March 2009)
Poster

2010 Activities – Call for proposals now until 3 December 2009

2007/08 Activities
Programme list (pdf file in Chinese only)
Photo Gallery
Souvenir Booklet (pdf file in Chinese only)

Putonghua Festival 2006
Programme List
Photo Gallery
Press Releases
- Kick-off Ceremony
- TV Programme

Enquiries: 3165 1189
 

 

 

Putonghua Summer Immersion Course Subsidy Scheme 2009
 

SCOLAR set up the Putonghua Summer Immersion Course Subsidy Scheme in 2000 to subsidise teachers to attend Putonghua summer immersion courses in the Mainland. The purpose is to help more teachers enhance their Putonghua proficiency and their readiness to try teaching Chinese Language in Putonghua. The rate of subsidy is based on participating teachers¡¦ performance in the Putonghua Shuiping Ceshi that they have taken before and after the immersion courses. The maximum amount of grant is $12,500 per person.

Enquiries: 3165 1189
 

 

 

SCOLAR Debating Education Programme for Junior Secondary Students
 

Following its successful debut of debating competition for junior secondary students in the 2005/06 school year, SCOLAR, with the support of the Language Learning Support Section of the Education Bureau, launched the Debating Education Programme for Junior Secondary Students between the 2006/07 and 2008/09 school years. The objective of this Programme is to enhance students' creativity, communication skills and critical thinking abilities, and to develop teachers' professional skills in debating education.

 

 

 

 

English Festival 2005 - 2007
 

The annual English Festival was organised by SCOLAR between 2005 and 2007 to raise public interest in the learning and use of English through various activities.

For further details, please visit their respective websites:
English Festival 2005 - http://cd.edb.gov.hk/scolar/eng_festival_2005;
English Festival 2006 - http://cd.edb.gov.hk/scolar/eng_festival_2006;
English Festival 2007 - http://cd.edb.gov.hk/scolar/eng_festival_2007.

 

 

 

Verification Exercise for SCOLAR Project
- Specification of English Language Competencies Expected of University
Graduates - Final Report
 

The Hong Kong Policy Research Institute (HKPRI) was commissioned by SCOLAR to conduct a survey between September and October 2005 to tap views of local employers in the private sector on English language competencies expected of local university graduate employees.

For more details, please click on the following:
Press Release
Annex
Report
Report - Appendix A (in Chinese only)
Report - Appendix B (in Chinese only)

 

 

 

"English Everywhere" Booklet for Parents
 

This booklet shares with parents various ways to help motivate children's interest to learn English outside the classroom.

Click below to download (in Chinese only) (pdf file)
- Colored version
- Black-and-white version

 

 



 

"Skipping Rhymes ¡V Jumping Jive" ¡V a Language Fund Column
 

The English Festival organized by SCOLAR in 2005 staged a first-of-its-kind "Skipping Rhymes ¡V Jumping Jive" competition which requested students to recite English rhymes while skipping ropes. Over 200 primary three to five students participated in the competition. They were required to skip with at least one original English rhyme created by themselves.

After the competition, students'original rhymes were compiled, with elaborations by Mr Simon Tham, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Native-speaking English Teacher) of the Education Bureau, for publication on a "Skipping Rhymes ¡V Jumping Jive" column on the Sing Tao Daily between 10 October 2005 and 19 June 2006.

Please click here for a review of the back issues (in Chinese only).
   

 

 

"Putonghua Express" - a Language Fund Column
 

The Centre for Research and Development of Putonghua Education of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has been invited to produce articles adapted from the Putonghua teaching materials which the Centre had developed under the sponsorship of the Language Fund.

The column was published on the Sing Tao Daily between 7 April and 20 May 2005.

Please click here for a review of the back issues (in Chinese only).
 



 

Hong Kong News Awards (2002 - 2007)
 

Newspapers are the most widely read publications in Hong Kong. The quality of language used in news writing has a great impact on both students and the wider community. As advised in its 'Action Plan to Raise the Language Standards in Hong Kong', the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) has sponsored, with the support of the Language Fund, the Writing Section of the Hong Kong News Awards organized by the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong between 2002 and 2006 to recognize news writing of high language standard and encourage the print media to raise its language standard. With the agreement of the organizer, the winning news writings are posted on this website for public access.

winning news writings (2002)

winning news writings (2003)

winning news writings (2004)

winning news writings (2005)

winning news writings (2006)

winning news writings (2007)
 





 

Workplace English Campaign
 

Steered by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR), the Workplace English Campaign (WEC) was launched by the Government in 2000 to heighten public awareness of the importance of having a good command of English in a workplace environment and to improve the knowledge of English among the working population in Hong Kong.

For further details of the Campaign, please visit its website: http://www.english.gov.hk.
 

 




 

English in the Air 2003/04
 

To encourage active use of the medium of television in the teaching and learning of English in secondary schools, SCOLAR launched a pilot project "English in the Air" in February 2003 in cooperation with TVB Pearl Channel and the Hong Kong Education City (HKEdCity), making use of two teenage English television programmes "Road Scholars" and "Lizzie McGuire".

The project was continued with the second seasons of these programmes and two other new programmes, "Smallville" (season 1) and "Sail Away", on TVB Pearl and ATV World Channels between 8 October 2003 and 5 June 2004. All four programmes were furnished with English subtitles and provided with learning and teaching materials on the project website at HKEdCity (http://www.hkedcity.net/english/tv).

The project has concluded successfully with some 100 000 viewers of the four programmes combined and a 700 000 hit-rate for the project website at HKEdCity.
   

 




 

Activities Supported by SCOLAR
 
  1. The Biliteracy & Trilingualism Composition and Speech Competition (Organisers: Rotary Club of Hong Kong Island West and Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers

    The fifth competition held in 2008
    Poster (jpg file, in Chinese only)
    Website (http://www.hkfew.org.hk/btcsc2008/)

    Details of past competitions:

    The fourth competition held in 2007:
    Poster (jpg file, in Chinese only)
    Website (http://www.hkfew.org.hk/btcsc2007/)

    The third competition held in 2006:
    Poster (jpg file, in Chinese only)
    Website (http://www.hkfew.org.hk/btcsc2006/)

  2. The Standard Chartered Hong Kong English Public Speaking Contest (Organisers: The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and The English-Speaking Union ( Hong Kong))

    Click here for details of the contest held in 2009.

    Click here for details of the contest held in 2008.

    Click here for details of the contest held in 2007.

  3. Vocational Putonghua Public Speaking Contest 2007
    (Organizer: Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge, the Vocational Training Council)

    Click here for details.

  4. 2009 English Drama Fest (Organiser: The Association of English Medium Secondary Schools)

    Click here for details.

  5. The 17th Children Silver Tongue Contest (Organiser: North District Junior Chamber)

    Click here for details (in Chinese only).