News and Speeches

Speeches (since 2005)

31 May 2006

SCOLAR Chairman, Mr Michael Tien, JP
at Press Conference for Closing Ceremony of English Festival 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for joining us at the press conference for the English Festival 2006 Closing Ceremony today.

Last year, the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) organised the English Festival for the first time, aiming to raise public interest in the learning and use of English with a series of activities and TV programmes. Its remarkable success prompted us to organise the Festival again this year with seven student activities ranging from drama, debate, games, music, painting to writing, targeting primary, secondary, associate degree and university students. Together with the two TV programmes on English learning and reading, this year's activities not only well covered the four language skills, i.e. listening, reading, writing and speaking, but also catered for the specific needs of students and members of public of different ages and education background.

I am proud to announce that 40,000 students and teachers have participated in the various Festival activities this year, almost doubling last year's figure. In addition, over 1.45 million viewers have tuned in to watch our two TV programmes.

Such figures prove again that our efforts in creating an English language environment outside the classroom through organising different activities during the English Festival were well-received by our students. The active participation of language teachers in briefing sessions and workshops about folk songs, drama and debating after a day of work or various events held on weekends is most encouraging. It shows how dedicated and passionate they are to their teaching profession and to the education of students. At the same occasion last year, I took the opportunity to commend our language teachers. This year, I would like to invite all of us to give them a big hand for their efforts in motivating their students in language learning.

Before I stop, I would like to express our gratitude to the seven organisations that have brought together their best to the English Festival 2006. My thanks also go to our Festival Ambassadors, Eman and Ellen of at17 and Chet, who have joined us in the Festival activities. Your presence has not only attracted more students and public members to join our Festival, but also showed to the community the important role played by artistes in reminding Hong Kong people the importance of being biliterate and trilingual.

In the Closing Ceremony to be held in a moment, some 200 participating students and award winners at different activities of the English Festival 2006 would bring us the best bits of the past two months. I sincerely invite all of you to stay with us to enjoy the show and support our fellow students.

Thank you!