New course at Polytechnic addresses language skills lack
I read with great interest the article by Katherine Forestier describing the sociolinguistic survey conducted by colleagues at the University of Hong Kong (Education Post, June 18). The findings of Professor Kingsley Bolton and Dr John Bacon-Shone will, I trust, help to put into perspective Hong Kong people's language skills and serve to curb the unending criticism and talk of declining language standards.
As a university that works closely with the business and industry sectors, we can confirm the findings of this survey that it is Hong Kong's keen need for an increasing number of biliterate and trilingual professionals (a need that is not presently met) that lies behind the perception that our young people are less competent than previous generations.
At Hong Kong Polytechnic University we have long understood the need for better language and communication skills, and biliteracy and trilingualism have been key aspects of our strategic plan for a number of years.
Indeed, we will launch a new undergraduate programme in September that exactly meets the needs exposed in this survey. Our new BA (hons) language studies for the professions, which focuses on Chinese and English applied language studies, aims to redress the very shortage of professional communicators identified by Professor Bolton and Dr Bacon-Shone. I would urge the government to review their offerings to ensure that this current lack does not persist for much longer.
PROFESSOR T.P. LEUNG,
