LettersHong Kong can’t afford lax English language education for undergraduates

Readers discuss the importance of English at university level, a fix to an access problem, and an inspiring example set by two Shaw Prize winners

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Slipping on headsets, students at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology are transported to a pavilion above the clouds for a lecture by an AI-generated Albert Einstein on April 9. Some might question the need to learn English when AI can correct students’ grammar, but university graduates should have more advanced English proficiency and not just be able to produce grammatically accurate text. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:30am, 28 May 2024

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification

Demographic and technological transformations highlight the growing necessity of university English language education in Hong Kong.

The number of mainland students in Hong Kong public universities has surpassed 10,000. The proportion of non-local self-financed students is expected to keep growing as the government allows universities to accept more overseas applicants, especially those from the belt and road countries.

With greater numbers of students of non-English-speaking origins, expect more of them to struggle with having English as the medium of instruction. Their hurdles may range from pronunciation to writing complete sentences to reading journal articles written in academic English.

Despite this increase in demand, university language centres are facing shortages of lecturers and funding. Meanwhile, recent incidents of students being accepted into university with forged documents have also put their qualifications under scrutiny.

Much like other universities which teach in English and require preparatory English courses for students less capable in the language, Hong Kong universities and the government must address this resource mismatch. Having English as a medium of instruction is one of our advantages in attracting students from the mainland and abroad to supplement the shrinking numbers of local students.

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Readers discuss the importance of English at university level, a fix to an access problem, and an inspiring example set by two Shaw Prize winners

Readers discuss the importance of English at university level, a fix to an access problem, and an inspiring example set by two Shaw Prize winners