Oxford 'Speak Better English'
Campaign
Oxford University Press
(OUP) is a department of the University of Oxford and the world's largest
university press. For over 500 years, OUP has demonstrated its commitment
to education through quality research and publishing. As an international
educational publisher and local employer, we recognize the growing concerns
about students' ability to communicate in English and its impact on Hong
Kong's future as a world-class city. In an effort to raise English
standards among students as well as in the community, OUP is launching
a territory-wide 'Speak Better English' campaign. The first of
its kind in Hong Kong, this campaign is based on research into the Cantonese
phonological system. It aims to:
- raise awareness among students,
teachers and parents of the importance of speaking English with correct
pronunciation, rhythm, stress and intonation;
- help students assess the accuracy
of their spoken English;
and
- improve students' self-confidence
and motivate them to acquire better communication skills.
The campaign, which runs from November
2003 to July 2004, includes workshops for students, teachers and parents,
an English learning website, a territory-wide primary school English speaking
competition, publication of related literature and VCD giveaways.
In addition, Dr Esther Lai from
the University of Hong Kong has distilled her research on Cantonese accents
and comparative phonology into her latest book
《 擺 脫 廣 東 腔
-
讓 你 說 一 口 道 地 外 語 》, which was published by Oxford University
Press in November 2003. It discusses the issue of Cantonese accents and
looks at ways of achieving near-native pronunciation in English and other
foreign languages.
'Speak Better English'
is organized by Oxford University Press, in collaboration with HKedCity.
It has been endorsed by community leaders, including our spokesperson
Ms Josephine Siao Fong-fong, and our patrons The Hon Sir Yang Ti-liang,
Ms Cheung Man-yee, Ms Mary Pandora Cheung, Mr Luke Tsang Chi-wah, Ms Bernadette
Tsui Wing-suen and Mr Robert Chow Yung.
Company Profile of Oxford University Press
Company
Profile of HKedCity
中 文 版 | 
