Students going into Form Six who have studied mainly in Chinese can apply to join an intensive language programme to improve their English skills.
Senior Education Officer Fok Lee Yu-hing said students admitted to Form Six could apply for the course, run by the British Council.
'Its purpose is to help students who have studied through the medium of Chinese to attain the standard of English required by local tertiary institutions,' Mrs Fok said.
'The course has an introduction to the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing necessary for the Hong Kong Advanced- Level Use of English examination. Students are taught by qualified and experienced native English-speaking teachers,' she said.
The programme is in three stages. The first is the two-week pre-Form Six course to be held from August 18 to August 28.
The second stage is a four- week course to be held next summer, and the last stage, a two-week Form Seven course, will be held over the Lunar New Year holiday in 2000, before students enter tertiary institutions.
Application forms are available from schools and District Education Offices. Applicants in Form Six should return the forms to the Education Department (Schools Division), 14th floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, through principals of the schools offering them places before 5 pm on Monday.