新聞公報及演辭

演辭(2005年及以後)

2007年2月12日

語常會委員陳樹基先生
英語節2007之「說得響亮，說得漂亮」：公開演說訓練課程 -- 簡介會及教師培訓講座致辭全文
(只設英文版)

Dr Bickley, Mrs Szeto, Dr Ingham, Mr Rose and teachers,

Welcome to this Teacher Training Seminar of the Speak Up, Speak Out: Public-Speaking Training Programme of the English Festival 2007.

The Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) has successfully held the English Festival in 2005 and 2006 and is privileged to organise it again in 2007 for the third year. The aim of the English Festival is to raise student and public interest in the learning and use of English. Our Festival last year marked a successful return with nearly 40,000 students and teachers participating in various activities.

This year, we have eight lively school-based English activities to be run from February to May. We are so delighted and thankful to have the English Speaking Union (ESU) as one of our activity organisers. ESU has devoted tremendous efforts to provide opportunities for people from all walks of life to advance their knowledge and use of English. Their expertise and extensive experience in promoting public speaking are well-known and recognised.

Being one of the signature-programmes of the English Festival 2007, the Speak Up, Speak Out: Public-Speaking Training Programme by ESU will introduce students to the joy of public-speaking in an atmosphere that is non-threatening and full of fun. The skills and techniques learnt can help lay a solid foundation for an enjoyment of English and will enhance students' confidence in expressing themselves when facing a group of people.

I believe that, students and teachers who participate in this programme, will cherish such precious experience and disseminate what you have learnt, to your schools and peers.

Bearing in mind that keeping to time is one of the key basic skills in public speaking, I will stop here now and hand over the seminar to ESU.

Wish you all a fruitful experience today. Thank you.