新聞公報及演辭

演辭(2005年及以後)

2006年4月8日

語常會委員蔡少洲先生
英語節2006之民歌小書包 -- 簡介會致辭全文
(只設英文版)

Sir T. L. Yang, Mr Mahmood Rumjahn, Miss Vivian Choi, principals, teachers, ladies and gentlemen,

The Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) is privileged and delighted to have organised the English Festival 2006, which aims to raise students' and the public's interest in the learning and usage of English. Our inaugural English Festival last year recorded an encouraging 20,000 participants in its various activities, and over 1.6 million viewers of its TV programme on English usage, which was very encouraging.

This year, we have again organised ten lively and interesting English activities to be held from April until July. We are very delighted and thankful to have the Rotaract Club of Kingspark Hong Kong as one of our activity organisers. The Rotaract Club of Kingspark Hong Kong is a local volunteer youth organisation, and its members have devoted enormous efforts to the organisation of charitable, and community service events for the past ten years. Being a Rotarian myself for nearly 17 years, I can personally attest to the fabulous community work conducted by Rotary and Rotaract, both locally and at the international level.

Being one of the signature programmes of the English Festival 2006, Little School Bags - Folk Songs Sing Along provides a good opportunity and an innovative way for students to learn and use English through listening, singing and painting. This programme consists of four parts. Today, we are so grateful to have the honourable advisor of the programme, Sir T. L. Yang, to share with us his precious experience in English learning, and teaching. I very much enjoy the English instruction programme that Sir T. L. hosts on the radio. After that, you will get to know more about our selected folk songs from the talented composer, Mr Mahmood Rumjahn, who happens to be a Rotarian as well. You will then be invited to participate in the music concert and school bag painting on 6 May. All participating students will have a chance to sing their folk songs at the same time on 15 May. Finally, the painted school bags will be delivered to the children in Mainland China in June.

This programme creatively bridges the connection between Hong Kong young people and children in the Mainland in three universal languages - English, music and pictures. I believe that students and teachers who participate in this programme will enjoy and cherish the experience, and I hope you will disseminate what you have learnt to your schools and peers.

Once again, on behalf of SCOLAR and the English Festival 2006 Organising Committee, I would like to thank Sir T. L. and Mr Rumjahn for taking time from their busy schedules to take part in today's programme. Finally, I wish you all fruitful sharing and experience today, as well as the singing activities and concert over the next couple of weeks.

Thank you.