홍콩의 언어교육정책 - ‘兩文三語’

Abstract

A Discussion on the "Two Written Languages and Three Spoken Languages" Education Policy in Hong Kong Park, Heung-soo After having been handed over to China on July 1st, 1997, the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has adopted an educational language policy based on "two written languages and three spoken languages". It reflects "one country, two systems", which conforms to the language policy of Hong Kong over the past century.There have been a lot of changes since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region implemented its "two written languages and three spoken languages" educational language policy. Chinese has become the first language used by court officials, and has acquired the same status as English. Putonghua is taught in elementary and middle school and has become one of the subjects for school exams. More schools however are teaching subject matter in Cantonese, but some schools are still teaching in English. Additionally, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has beefed up English language education by hiring English native speakers and has launched a campaign to encourage more use of English in the workplace, so that people can actually improve their English speaking skills and levels.The purpose of this "two written languages and three spoken languages" policy is to produce more talented people capable of speaking English, Putonghua, and Cantonese. As a result, they are eventually expected to contribute to the economic development of Hong Kong society, as well as to enhance Hong Kong's international competitiveness and status.