The newly-established School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Hong Kong is joining the university's efforts to promote internationalism by launching a series of cultural activities, on campus and among primary and secondary schools. The school, one of five founded under the reorganisation of the HKU arts faculty and which started operating this semester, will deliver a series of seminars on various languages, ranging from Japanese and Arabic to Swedish and Portuguese, and cultures in which the languages are immersed at New Asia Middle School on Saturdays, starting from November 4. Primary and secondary students in Kowloon City, Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok have been invited to attend the seminars which may be extended to other districts depending on the response and the availability of resources. An exhibition will be held simultaneously at the To Kwa Wan College and a world cultural carnival will be organised in December. The school's acting head, Dixon Wong Heung-wah, said he hoped to facilitate links with primary and secondary schools through the 'friendship club'. Interested teachers will receive updates of cultural events going on at the university. Dr Wong said the aim was to promote a greater spirit of internationalism in the community. 'Internationalisation isn't just about being able to speak a foreign language in a business setting,' he said. 'It's also important to understand the mindset of people speaking the language.' Initiatives on campus include German October, a joint project with the university's Global Lounge that was launched yesterday and will incude film shows and a fieldtrip to the German Bierfest. An event to promote Japanese culture will be held in April next year, followed by French in May.
