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Issues on the use of Putonghua as a teaching medium in Chinese:
Questions and strategies |
¡@¡@Abstract
This article discusses the use of Putonghua as a teaching language in Chinese courses, a current hot topic in Hong Kong¡¦s education reform discourse. Based on the Putonghua environment in Hong Kong, the authors outline some practical and useful suggestions.
There are three aspects: firstly, on how to develop the teacher quality, it is suggested that teachers have to overcome the barrier of speaking Putonghua as well as correct any misunderstanding they may have. They should then participate in some value-added development programmes, taking into consideration their own strengths and needs. Secondly, on how to introduce the teaching of Putonghua in three steps, it is suggested that they could start with reading textbooks first, followed by a gradual use of Putonghua as a medium in their teaching. Eventually, they can use Putonghua for discussions in their classes. The third aspect is on how to integrate the teaching of Putonghua and Chinese. It is suggested that listening and speaking could be used to connect Putonghua and Chinese. This article will be very useful to the government, education institutes, schools, and teachers.