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Early language testing 'unfair'

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Early language streaming wastes talent and can deprive children of education opportunities, according to a language education study.

Such a policy defeats the point of a fair, compulsory education system and may hinder students in developing their full potential, the study concludes.

Conducted by researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Education Faculty, the study - Education and Social Determinants of Language Education Policy - examined the relationship between students' language proficiency and academic performance at secondary level.

It also investigated the effect of language streaming, which was introduced in 1994 and classified students into three categories (English, Chinese and Bilingual).

Students from Form One, Three and Five in 32 schools were tested, and it was found that streaming on the basis of languages failed to give them a fair education opportunity.

One of the researchers, Dr Tsang Wing-kwong of the Department of Education, Administration and Policy, said the results showed that students who were classified with low language proficiency had a high improvement rate during their secondary school years.

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