Improving Chinese Proficiency Levels of Hong Kong Students

Lead  Prof. CHAN Sui Duen  Prof. ZHU Xinhua

Department of Language Science and Technology

Prof. Chan Shui Duen and Prof. Zhu Xinhua have undertaken research on the Chinese language proficiency of Hong Kong students, both Chinese-speaking and non-Chinese speaking (NCS). Their research has led a direct impact on the revamp of the Putonghua and Chinese language curriculum, a paradigm shift in reading education in primary and secondary schools, and the development of a new course, an Applied Learning (Chinese) course, as an alternative for NCS students who have difficulty following the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) Chinese curriculum. The course provides a more easily mastered upward ladder for these students, ultimately leading to better educational and occupational opportunities.

Around 3,000 teachers have benefited from the research through training delivered by the research team. Prof. Chan and Prof. Zhu have also served as consultants for a range of professional bodies on policy formulation for learning and teaching Chinese both as a first and second language.

RAE 2020 Impact Case Study