Starting in the 1998 school year, 307 government and government-aided secondary school in Hong Kong were required to adopt mother-tongue (Cantonese) teaching. Only 114 schools were allowed to continue with English-medium instruction (EMI) because of their previous high achievement, which means the passing percentages and grades in their HKCEE subjects are good.
Chinese-medium schools use Chinese as the medium of instruction (CMI) except for English language class, while English-medium schools use English as the medium of instruction in all subjects except Chinese Language, Chinese History and Chinese Literature.
It has been almost 10 years since the medium of instruction policy was implemented.
What do students think about the policy? Have they benefited in any way by using mother-tongue to learn? What are their experiences?
As one student, Zero So said, "the ultimate aim of studying for me is to go to university, but if university teaches in English and I've ben learning in Cantonese in secondary school, will I fit in?"
"University won't be responsible in helping me with grammar and listening, where do I get help with my English if I get in?" A worried Ray Cheung said.
Find out what a group of Secondary six students have to say about the medium of instruction policy before you read on.
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