Hong Kong education authorities publish first patriotic materials for English classes at schools

Authorities published new teaching materials for use in primary and secondary school English classes in run up to National Security Education Day earlier this week

Some English teachers say variety of reading materials is good for students, but express concern government-issued content may be too dry for students

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Students at Gertrude Simon Lutheran College attend a flag-raising ceremony during National Security Education Day earlier this week. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 12:42pm, 20 Apr 2024Updated: 4:46pm, 20 Apr 2024

Hong Kong education authorities have suggested students use course materials covering national security and the country’s achievements to help them learn English, with the government publishing its first teaching kit combining the topics.

But veteran English teachers said that while the resources provided by the Education Bureau’s materials could give students more exposure to the language, the content was not designed with that purpose in mind and could result in pupils losing interest.

Authorities last Saturday published national education resource kits in English for primary and secondary pupils.

The items were also included among reference materials for teachers shared in a circular on this year’s National Security Education Day. But authorities have not made the content compulsory for educators.

The announcement marked the first time the bureau had released teaching and learning materials on national security education for use in English lessons.

The content covers security concerns in areas such as culture, ecology, food, outer space, artificial intelligence and resources.