Danger in switch to mother-tongue

Switching to Chinese as the medium of instruction in secondary schools has sparked fierce debates. I think the change is unnecessary.

Looking at global trends of the 21st century, it is my view that English, unquestionably, will remain an international language.

Moves to use the mother-tongue as the medium of instruction sound the death knell for English here and for our competitiveness in the world.

Instructing in Chinese not only creates negative affects on children, but problems for teachers.

Since teachers are in the habit of teaching in the medium of English, it is difficult to change certain technical terms.

Using Chinese as the medium of teaching puts us in a no- win situation. The SAR Government should choose another path to solve the problem of declining academic standards among Hong Kong children.

It is suggested that the Government should put more effort into improving students' abilities in English - as well as in other fields - by giving up spoon-fed teaching methods.

We should look at those effective active-learning teaching methods widely used in international schools in Hong Kong and in Western colleges.

As English plays a vital role in Hong Kong's education, the educators should have second thoughts before following the mother-tongue 'craze'.

Hoi-yan is a pupil of St Paul's Convent School