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Sympathy for language-row pupils

Mark Russell

The head of an educational charity pushing for more English to be taught says she sympathises with the problem of students made to learn in Chinese.

English-Speaking Union director-general Valerie Mitchell, who was visiting Hong Kong last week, said she appreciated the frustration felt by pupils and parents made to accept the mother tongue policy.

'I do understand and sympathise with their problem and I am sure it will be resolved here.

'It would be a shame to see the standard of English drop in Hong Kong. English is the international language of communication,' Mrs Mitchell said.

She declined to comment directly on the policy, but added: 'I am sure that the Government will give all opportunities for people to learn and to speak English and I hope that we will play our small part in helping them through our programmes.' Mrs Mitchell was in Hong Kong to establish a steering committee of business and academic volunteers who will oversee the union launch in Hong Kong in 18 months.

The union, which works closely with the British Council, promotes international understanding and human achievement through the widening use of the English language, and already operates in 41 countries.

It organises educational programmes and offers international language and music scholarships.

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