Learning to speak English - on TV
The proposal to expand the English subtitle services on the two free-to-air English TV channels is welcoming news to local English teachers.
With dull and ordinary English learning materials dominating classrooms, many local English teachers often find it hard to find interesting and creative resources to help their students master the language.
With strong visuals and rich educational content, TV programmes have long been a favourite choice for English teachers. That's why many have voiced strong support for the proposal to expand the English subtitle services.
'English TV programmes with English subtitles can be very beneficial to junior students. They can learn both spelling and reading skills from reading the subtitles. Hearing native speakers deliver dialogue on TV can greatly boost their listening skills,' said Lawrence Choi Ying-choy, a senior lecturer with the Hong Kong Institute of Education who has years of experience in teaching English. 'Programmes like Friends can also help students learn more colloquial English.'
