Asked by : Hon Emily LAU
Replied by : SEM
Question :
The results of the first Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (English Language) announced on 8 June showed that the respective passing rates for the papers on Writing and Speaking were 33% and 50% only. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council?
Reply:
Madam President,
The English Language Proficiency Assessment consists of a total of five papers, namely, Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Classroom Language Assessment. Candidates may choose to attempt one or more of the five papers in one sitting, but only serving teachers may attempt the Classroom Language Assessment, which involves lesson observation of a teacher in a real class.
For the English Language Proficiency Assessment conducted in March 2001, there were a total of 413 candidates. However, not all of them attempted all papers. About 90% of the 93 candidates who attempted the Classroom Language Assessment have passed that Assessment. This signifies that serving English teachers are proficient in the use of classroom language in teaching English. On the whole, there is room for improvement in writing and speaking. For instance, while candidates are able to correct students' common mistakes, they are less capable of explaining the mistakes. Grammatical accuracy is also an area which requires improvement.
In addition, to help serving teachers to upgrade their English proficiency and to strive for excellence, the Administration will continue to organize training courses and provide training subsidy for all English teachers. We will also discuss the Chief Examiners' reports with teacher training institutes on how best to further improve their training programmes.
The Administration is also taking measures to increase the output and improve the quality of English teacher training programmes. For the 2001/02 academic year, there will be 60 additional full-time places for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programme majoring in English. An overseas immersion programme will be offered to all PDGE (English major) students (about 230 in total, including the 60 additional places) to sharpen their language skills in an authentic language environment. The Administration is also exploring the feasibility of further increasing the number of PGDE (English major) places after the 2001/02 academic year.
From the 2001/02 school year, the Administration has made provision for upgrading one Certificate Master/Assistant Primary School Master post to Assistant Master/Primary School Master post in all public sector primary schools to strengthen curriculum leadership in the teaching of English. Teachers who have attained a level of English proficiency which is higher than the minimum are eligible to be considered for promotion.