CULTURE STUDY- HONG KONG by Kelly Lui #73598096

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Location: situated at the south-eastern tip of mainland China

Size: a total area of about 1 104 square kilometres covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories

Population: 7 million

Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, Filipino 1.6%, Indonesian 1.3%, other 2.1%

Official languages: Chinese (mainly Cantonese) and English

EDUCATION OVERVIEW

  Hong Kong was originally a fish village. When Hong Kong got colonized by the British, some missionaries decided to establish some schools (1841). Since Hong Kong had been a British Colony for more than 150 years, the education system was greatly impacted by this colonization. Indeed, Hong Kong had roughly followed the British education system until 2009.

  Hong Kong government has recently promoted to add a mandatory course to teach China’s history in primary schools to instill national pride. However, it has led to a protest as Hong Kong citizens consider it as brain washing.

  There are three types of schools in Hong Kong: government schools, subsidized schools and private international schools.

  Children attending public sector schools will receive 12 years of primary (6 years) and secondary (6 years) education.

  Secondary schools are categorized into three different bands: Band 1, 2 and 3. Band 1 schools are considered as the best secondary schools meanwhile Band 3 schools are deemed as the lowest quality secondary schools.

SCHOOL ALLOCATION SYSTEM

Enrolling into Kindergarten: based on interviews. It is getting more competitive as parents have been influenced to place more emphasis on early childhood education.

Enrolling into Secondary schools: based on 3 examinations that student take in P. 5-6 and where students live. Students are under a lot of pressure since the secondary schools that they get into will categorize what kind of students they are (Band 1-3).

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION

Kindergarten – from 3 year-olds to 6 year-olds (optional) Primary – from p.1 to p. 6 Secondary – From f.1 to f. 6 University – year 1 to year 4

Before 2009, Hong Kong’s education system was still loosely following the structure of the United Kingdom. There was f. 7 in secondary schools, and there were just 3 years of university.

Hours: Normally, primary and secondary students spend an average of about 7 hours a day in school (starting between 8 am and 8:30 am), including a 1-hour lunch break. Primary students have 2 twenty-minute recesses in between classes.

Class Size: Usually 30-40 students in primary and secondary school settings.

Language: Cantonese is usually the medium of instruction in primary schools and some of the secondary schools (Band 3 ones); meanwhile, Band 1 and 2 secondary schools are instructed in English. English and mandarin are mandatory courses in many of the schools since the government wants to enhance students’ biliterate and trilingual abilities.

EVALUATION – STANDARDIZED EXAMINATION

In the past, the local education system has been very exam-orientated. However, in recent years there have been some moves towards fewer exams ad more continuous and formative assessment.

Before 2012: Secondary students needed to take two public exams: Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (f. 5) and Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (f.7). The HKCEE exam was used to determine whether the students could stay in their secondary schools to continue their studies. The HKALE was used to determine which university students could enrol.

After 2012: The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education is the only public exam as a replacement for both

HKCEE and HKALE. Students are examined on core subjects and elective options of their preference.

EVALUATION – GRADING SYSTEM

A (highest) – F (lowest)

Since 2007, on standardized examinations, Chinese Language and English Language are graded on a 5 (highest) to 1(lowest) scale. For both scales, failing grades are designated as U (unclassified).

CORE CURRICULUM

Primary: There are 8 key subjects. Chinese, English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Arts, Physical Education and Personal, Social Humanities and Humanities.

Secondary (junior years f.1-3): History and Geography are studied alongside subjects that have already been studied at primary schools.

Secondary (senior years f.4-6): It becomes selective; however, there are 4 core subjects that students need to take which include English, Chinese, Mathematics and Liberal Studies.

CURRICULUM OPTIONS

6 languages secondary students can choose to study: French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish and Urdu.

In Senior secondary schools, students specialize in either humanities or science. The main purpose is to prepare students for public examination and admission to higher education (since one needs to declare their major right after they get into university). Moreover, commerce stream is considered vocational in nature.

Electives: Literature, Music, Visual Arts, Tourism and Hospitality Studies, History, Economics, Religious Studies, Communication, Business, Accounting and Financial Studies, and Health Management.

STUDENTS MAY HAVE THIS EXPECTATION

There are strict discipline code. There are rules on how students should wear their uniforms, such as female skirts need to be above their knees.

Teachers should lecture them on key ideas, meanwhile students will take notes.

Students usually just write down whatever they have learned in class or from their textbooks; seldom expressing their own opinions.

Teachers are not to be questioned. They are the authoritative figures.

BELIEF & ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL

Hong Kong parents are often desperate to help their children succeed in the public examination system, which determines students' college-worthiness. Parents also believe that getting into the best institutions and programs will provide their children opportunities on the local and regional job markets. As a result, many families are willing to pay handsomely for tutoring.

• In 2010, a social welfare body estimated that 72% of lower secondary students were receiving tutoring. In middle secondary the figure was 82 percent, and in senior secondary it was 85%.

Scenario Context Possible Resolution

Students do well on their assignments, but they seldom participate in class.

Students are used to spoon-feeding by teachers as they are just aiming to earn good grades. They believe that memorization is the best way to succeed.

Since they are used to the teacher lecturing system, they may feel uncomfortable to express themselves.

Demonstrate to students that their opinions matter because they can lead to valuable discussions.

Praise the students they participate in class.

Encourage creativity and critical thinking. Organize activities that reinforces these elements.

Students may only speak Cantonese in class. They are unwilling to communicate with their peers in English.

Students are afraid to make mistakes and to be laughed at.

They also feel silly and weird to talk to their Cantonese-speaking peers.

Show students that it is normal to make mistakes, and mistakes will lead to improvement.

Provide a secure environment by setting up rules, such as Speaking English All the Time or Respecting one another.

Buddy System: Pair the students up with someone who is willing to speak in English.

Students seem unmotivated to learn. For example, they fall asleep in class.

Students may have learned the materials from their private tutors, so they feel bored.

Students may have to travel far away to school.

Organize games and group activities that allow students to help one another.

Privately ask students who fall asleep to stretch or wash their faces. Then talk to them about their reasons for sleeping in class.

Cantonese speaking students may not want to interact with students who come from mainland China.

Students have stereotypical views on the other students’ behaviours.

Hong Kong students may feel like students from mainland China are intervening their lifestyles or city.

Organize games, such as Secret Pal, to get students to care for one another.

Teach students about stereotypes and different cultures.

Scenarios a Teacher will Face in Hong Kong

Reference

CIA Factbook:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hk.html

Hong Kong Education Bureau:

http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeid=2

Wikipedia on Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Diploma_of_Secondary_Education