MOST educationalists and students welcome the addition of Chinese Language as one of the foreign language subjects in the United States university entrance examination. The new policy, to be enacted in 1994, is under preparation at the US University Committee and the Education Examination Services Organisation. Young Post recently conducted a survey to find out the response of local teachers and students towards the move. Most of the interviewees said the new policy would benefit Chinese students who intend to study their own language while in university in the United States. Among the teachers interviewed, Mr Law, a Chinese teacher at NTHYK Tai Po District Secondary School, said the move could benefit Chinese students in the United States in several ways. ''Apart from the traditional subjects, students now have an extra choice in the university entrance examination,'' Mr Law said. ''In addition, they will be able to test their Chinese language ability, just like the French and the Germans who have always had a chance to study their own language abroad.'' Mr Law felt that the move was made because of the rising status and position of China. ''China's ranking is becoming higher and higher in the world. People of different nationalities now have a chance to communicate with the Chinese,'' he said. Another factor is the increasing importance and prestige of the Chinese language. ''The move is a good start to make Chinese an international language.'' Mr Law added that the change would benefit other students as well. ''The students can explore a new area. It will promote their interest in foreign languages.'' Mary Ng, a Year Three student of Hongkong Polytechnic's Department of Applied Science and Textile, the move is good news. ''Chinese students in the United States can now study their own language instead of learning a language they are not at all familiar with,'' she said. Chow Yee-on, a Form 6 arts student of Po Leung Kuk Yao Ling Sun College, said the move would have a positive effect on Chinese students because it would increase their chances of entering university. ''As Chinese is our mother tongue, we would have less difficulties with it,'' he said. ''The move also raises the status of our language.''
