Mixed-code Teaching

Most parents in Hong Kong would like their children to be taught in English. However, less than one-third of all students are considered to be capable of learning in English. And we really don’t have enough teachers who are teach effectively in English. The percentage of students and teachers truly capable of learning and teaching in English comfortably is definitely less than one-third. My guess is that it is closer to one-tenth.

The rest should really be taught in the students’ mother tongue. Unfortunately, many parents refuse to accept that their children are better taught in Chinese. And it true that it is a big handicap when these children eventually enter universities in Hong Kong, which are all nominally teaching in English. In addition, it is a disadvantage not being familiar with the English versions of the terminologies, concepts, expressions of your profession if you learn exclusively in Chinese. I come to this conclusion after observing many graduates from Chinese universities.

What is the solution? One way out is to allow so called mixed-code teaching, perhaps in the form of using English textbooks while allowing the teachers and students to converse in Chinese. This is vehemently condemned by the government, from a purity point of view. They insist that each subject must be either taught in English with English texts, or in Chinese with Chinese texts.

Forcing students and teachers weak in English to use English exclusively is ineffective and, worse, actually kills the students’ interest to learn. However, many parents will not accept having their children being taught in Chinese exclusively.

Some highly respected teachers and headmasters feel that so called mixed-code teaching is an acceptable compromise.

Funny that we seldom hear from the students themselves their views on this matter. I understand many of them prefer mixed-code learning. Am I correct?