Why are our top government officials and wealthy businessmen so keen on Cantonese as the medium of instruction?
Most of them studied in English-taught secondary schools or overseas in Britain or America. All have become successful members of society. They cannot deny that fluency in English is helpful.
So why are they so negative about creating an English environment in school for Hong Kong students?
If they're so positive about Cantonese teaching, why are they sending their sons and daughters abroad?
Proponents of Cantonese-medium teaching say English should be our second language, to build our competitiveness internationally. And the only effective way to make it our second, but not foreign, language is providing an English environment.
Hong Kong generally does not provide an ideal environment. We have only two English radio channels, two local English newspapers, and very few local English magazines. Schools are the best place to learn English.
