EL2-Medium Education in a Largely Monolingual Society: The Case of Hong Kong.

Abstract

English is used as a second-language (EL2) medium of instruction In a wide range of developing countries, notably in East and South Asia, the Middle East, and many parts of Africa, often in the face of a vigorous resurgence of indigenous and regional cultures and languages. A discussion of this situation illastrates some of the social, political, and educational factors that make the implementaton of EL2-medium educational policies problematic for develoF.ng countries. The discussion then looks into the case of Hong Kong, with its particular linguistic and socio-political situation, and the implications of an EL2-medium education system for an ostensibly egalitarian education policy. The discussion concludes by examining recent attempts by language planners and educators in Hong Kong, in both secondary and higher education, to make the education system more responsive to the sociolinguistic and educational requirements and realities in the territory while retaining a strong EL2-medium profile. (Author/MSE) ********************X************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************** **************************************