Editorial | Hong Kong schools’ medium of instruction must pass the test of the times
With its review of the guidelines for teaching in English or Chinese, Hong Kong must seek to better prepare its pupils for higher education while serving the city’s needs
Enabling students to learn in the most effective way is fundamental to any education system. Since the reunification with China in 1997, the Chinese language has officially become the medium of instruction in schools to promote learning in the mother tongue. A policy change in 2010 gave schools more flexibility to teach in English. This approach takes into account the city’s historical development and its goal of promoting biliteracy and trilingualism to reinforce economic competitiveness and national integration. It has served the city well.
The longitudinal study conducted by the University of Hong Kong collects data on the implementation of teaching in the English language over the past three school years. Subject to the findings and input from the sector, any policy adjustments will be applied between 2028-29 and 2033-34.
Under the existing arrangements, a school that has 85 per cent of its Form One intake performing in the top 40 per cent of all students citywide in the last two years of the previous planning cycle can use English as its medium of instruction. There are currently 114 government and subsidised schools teaching in English. They are seen as more prestigious and are sought after by students and parents. Schools that adopt Chinese as the language of instruction may conduct extended learning activities in English or teach at most two subjects in English.
The review is timely in light of calls to allow more schools to teach subjects in English to better prepare students moving on to higher education programmes conducted in the language. This will also serve the city’s ambition to become an international education hub and attract more talent and overseas students.
The medium of instruction is more than a means of effective learning. Whatever the proportion of schools adopting English or Chinese as the medium of instruction, the policy should enhance the city’s biliteracy and trilingualism. The education authorities must take into account all the relevant factors, including teachers’ standards and the city’s development needs, and ensure that any adjustments in the medium of instruction policy are in the best interests of the students and Hong Kong as a whole.