Putting pupils to the test

INTENSE COMPETITION for places in English-medium schools is one of the key factors that drives parents to enrol their children in language courses.

With local secondary schools now banned from setting entrance exams, many principals look for alternative evidence that children can learn in English, including internationally recognised tests, such as those offered by Trinity and Cambridge exam boards.

Huge demand for such certificates has prompted the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority to enter the fray, offering the UK exam board Edexcel's London Test of English for Children, launched in Hong Kong this week.

The new test, offered at two levels - Quickmatch and Breakthrough - will cater for children from Primary Four to Six.

Lawrence Lour Tsang-tsay, chairman of the English Medium Schools Association and principal of Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School, said: 'In the absence of objective tests, English and even Chinese-medium schools are using these test results.'

Schools found it difficult to determine the quality of primary school results, which varied greatly between schools, and for interviews students often memorised model answers, he said.

The tests were also helpful for primary schools and parents in judging which schools students should apply for, Mr Lour added. 'You have to be as sure as possible students are able to learn in English. You don't want to admit pupils who can't learn in English because it will be hard for them.'