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Impacts of Medium of Instruction on Language Attitudes: A Case of Hong Kong

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Abstract

Shortly after the political handover from Britain to China, mother tongue education was enforced in Hong Kong, which mandated the majority of the local secondary schools to switch the medium of instruction (MoI) from English to Chinese. Henceforth, schools were divided into Chinese-medium and English-medium. In 2001, a study was conducted to examine the attitudes of these two groups of students toward the three official spoken languages used in Hong Kong after the change of sovereignty (i.e., Cantonese, English, and Putonghua). Eight years later, a similar study was reconducted to trace the changes of students’ perceptions upon relaxation of the mother tongue education policy. This article reports on a comparison between the two studies, through which the impacts of MoI policies on students’ language attitudes were explored.

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Notes

  1. The Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) is a public examination that all Secondary Five students need to attend. This examination marks the completion of secondary education. HKCEE was replaced by the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination in 2012 as part of the education reform.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of English, Hong Kong Institute of Education, HKIED, 10, Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong

    Mee Ling Lai

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  1. Mee Ling Lai
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Correspondence to Mee Ling Lai.

Appendix

Appendix

Factor 1: Integrative Orientation Toward Cantonese

  • As a Hongkonger, I should be able to speak fluent Cantonese.

  • I like Cantonese because it is my mother tongue.

  • Cantonese is the language which best represents Hong Kong.

  • I like Cantonese.

  • I like Cantonese speakers.

Factor 2: Integrative Orientation Toward English

  • As a Hongkonger, I should be able to speak English.

  • I would like to speak fluent English because it makes me feel modern and westernized.

  • A person who speaks fluent English is usually educated, intelligent, and well off.

  • A person who speaks fluent English is usually arrogant, snobbish, and a show-off.

  • I like English.

  • I like English speakers.

Factor 3: Integrative Orientation Toward Putonghua

  • As a Hongkonger, I should be able to speak fluent Putonghua.

  • Putonghua should be more widely used in Hong Kong so that Hong Kong will quickly integrate with the PRC.

  • A person who speaks fluent Putonghua is usually educated, intelligent, and well off.

  • I’m afraid that if I speak fluent Putonghua, others will think I am a new immigrant from the Mainland.

  • I like Putonghua.

  • I like Putonghua speakers.

Factor 4: Instrumental Orientation Toward Cantonese

  • Cantonese will help me much in getting better opportunities for further studies.

  • Cantonese will help me much in getter better career opportunities in the 21st Century.

  • Cantonese is highly regarded in Hong Kong society.

  • I wish to master a high proficiency of Cantonese.

Factor 5: Instrumental Orientation Toward English

  • English is less important in Hong Kong after the change of sovereignty.

  • The use of English is one of the crucial factors which has contributed to the success of Hong Kong’s prosperity and development today.

  • To increase the competitiveness of Hong Kong, the English standard of Hong Kong people must be enhanced.

  • English will help me much in getting better opportunities for further studies.

  • English will help me much in getting better career opportunities in the 21st Century.

  • English is highly regarded in Hong Kong society.

  • I wish to master a high proficiency of English.

Factor 6: Instrumental Orientation Toward Putonghua

  • If Putonghua is widely used in Hong Kong, Hong Kong will become more prosperous.

  • Putonghua is NOT an important language in Hong Kong.

  • The importance and status of Putonghua will soon be higher than that of English in Hong Kong.

  • Putonghua will help me much in getting better opportunities for further studies.

  • Putonghua will help me much in getting better career development in the 21st Century.

  • Putonghua is highly regarded in Hong Kong society.

  • I wish to master a high proficiency of Putonghua.

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Lai, M.L. Impacts of Medium of Instruction on Language Attitudes: A Case of Hong Kong. Asia-Pacific Edu Res 22, 61–68 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-012-0025-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-012-0025-1

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