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The following is issued on behalf of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR):
The annual "English Festival" organised by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) has invited 20 overseas and local language education experts to showcase to schools the learning of English in various ways, including a wide range of language activities for students outside the classroom.
SCOLAR member and Chairperson of the "English Festival 2007" Organising Committee Ms Junia Ho said at the festival's launch and ambassador inauguration ceremony today (March 18) that schools participating in the last two festivals had continued the spirit of the festival by adopting or planning to adopt the festival activities as part of the language education programme for students. "SCOLAR therefore wishes to keep up the momentum," Ms Ho said.
To do so, the "English Festival 2007" brings to schools language education experts in activities including "English Tree: A Symbol of Creative Writing" that encourages students to write; "Journey Overseas with Poetry" that develops students' knowledge in poetry writing and recital; "Speak Up, Speak Out: Public-Speaking Training Programme" that introduces students to the joy of public-speaking; "English Language Teaching (ELT) Rap Ambassadors Programme" that motivates students to learn and use English through the means of rap lyrics; "Persuasive English: Debating Workshop" that promotes English debating and logical thinking.
Other activities that provide students a relaxing and fun English-speaking environment include "English Language Camp and English Language Camp Leader Training Programme" that promotes learning and use of English through games; "Professor Paws Pet Cadet English Learning Programme" that motivates students to use English through fun-filled lessons with pets; and "Rugby English Active Learning" that encourages students to use and learn English through sports.
A TV programme will also be produced to share with parents and educators various ways to help motivate students' interest to learn English outside the classroom.
The TV programme is expected to be on air at 11.05pm on TVB Jade Channel on Thursdays between May 17 and June 7.
To help spread the message of the festival, SCOLAR appointed two aspiring and rising artistes, Ivana Wong and Matthew Ko, as "English Festival 2007 Ambassadors".
Also attending the ceremony today were SCOLAR members and members of "English Festival 2007" Organising Committee - Mr Stephen S K Chan, Mrs Shirley Duthie, Dr Evelyn Man and Ms Ng Kit-chee, and representatives of the activity organisers in the "English Festival 2007".
An English Dub Poet, Mr Levi Tafari, visited Hong Kong specially for the "English Festival 2007", shared with the audience the magic of poems.
Two groups of students participating in the "English Language Teaching Rap Ambassadors Programme" and "Rugby English Active Learning" respectively also demonstrated the learning of English through music and sports.
The "English Festival 2007" will run between March 18 and June 7. For details of the festival activities, please visit the festival website at http://www.englishfestival.hk.
SCOLAR launched the "English Festival" in 2005 to raise students and public's interest in learning and use of English by creating a motivating English-speaking environment outside the classroom through diversified activities.
Established in 1996, SCOLAR advises the Government on language education issues and on the use of the Language Fund.
Ends/Sunday, March 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:32
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