Hong Kong will launch a scheme to assist schools in using
Putonghua (standard speaking Chinese) to teach Chinese through
on-site support by Chinese mainland's experts and local
consultants, the Standing Committee on Language Education and
Research of Hong Kong said Thursday.
The scheme, benefiting 160 schools, will be carried out in four
phases. Thirty primary schools and 10 secondary schools will
receive support in each phase. Each participating school will
receive support for three years.
The support includes on-site visits by Chinese mainland's
professionals and local consultants in the first year to assist the
school-based program's formulation of using Putonghua to teach
Chinese. Local consultants will help in subsequent years.
The first phase for the 2008-09 school year is open for
application. Schools must submit their application with plans for
increasing classes and forms using Putonghua to teach Chinese,
including their long-term goal, strategies and resources
planning.
The Education Bureau's Language Learning Support Section also
provides support to schools in the Chinese language subject
teaching.
(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2008)