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LCQ11: Training provided for prospective teachers on teaching non-Chinese speaking students
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     Following is a question by the Hon Abraham Shek and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, in the Legislative Council today (December 9):

Question:

     Some people of the ethnic minorities have relayed to me that the difficulties encountered by non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students in learning Chinese as a second language are vastly different from those encountered by Chinese speaking students in learning Chinese as their native language. Also, the cultural backgrounds of NCS students may pose additional hurdles to their learning in local schools. These people therefore consider that teachers of NCS students have to understand NCS students' specific needs in order to help them build up their learning capacity. However, currently many teachers have not received the relevant training. Regarding the training provided by the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) for prospective teachers on teaching NCS students, will the Government inform this Council if it knows:

(1) whether the HKIEd currently offers any course on teaching Chinese as a second language for prospective Chinese language teachers; if the HKIEd does, of the details of such courses (including titles of courses, and whether they are compulsory); if not, of the reasons for that; and

(2) given that prospective teachers may in future teach NCS students coming from diverse cultural backgrounds, whether the HKIEd currently provides any course on cultural sensitivity for prospective teachers; if the HKIEd does, whether such courses are compulsory and whether the HKIEd has reviewed the effectiveness of the courses; if the HKIEd does not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

(1) Generally speaking, teacher education institutions make reference to relevant policies and documents, such as the curriculum guides prepared by the Curriculum Development Council, when designing and developing the initial teacher education (ITE) programmes. The ITE programmes shall meet the needs of the prospective teachers in their future career in schools. Prospective teachers are equipped with professional knowledge, pedagogy and attributes in teaching students of different backgrounds and needs. On the training provided for prospective teachers on teaching non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students, the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) has been offering elective courses on Teaching Chinese as a Second Language in its Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Chinese Language) Programme. For instance, in the 2015/16 school year, the elective courses offered include Curriculum and Teaching Material Design for International Chinese, Acquisition and Learning of Chinese as an International Language and Instructional Design and Development of Chinese Language for NCS.

(2) In addition to the relevant courses, to raise prospective teachers' awareness on cultural diversity, the HKIEd has been organising a variety of activities in this aspect such as Cultural Week to celebrate diversity of nationalities, Day Camp for NCS students with prospective teachers serving as tutors, Exhibition on "Hong Kong - the Multiethnic Melting Pot", and festival gatherings on Cultural Integration in student halls. Besides, elective courses such as Intercultural Communication and Story Reading in Chinese to NCS Children are also offered to prospective teachers. Evaluation by different means such as surveys and evaluation forms are available to provide relevant data and information for reviewing the effectiveness of the courses and activities.

Ends/Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:13

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