Media

HKU Launches School-based Assessment Package for Newly-reformed English Language Examination

16 Dec 2005

A high level of English in the younger generation will be instrumental to maintain Hong Kong's status as a leading international city. The University of Hong Kong, as one of the premier English-speaking institutions in the region, has always been to the forefront in maintaining and enhancing the standard of English teaching in Hong Kong. Here is the latest initiative - the launching of the teacher training package for the school-based assessment (SBA), which is being implemented in the 2007 Hong Kong Certificate of Education English Language Examination.

Beginning from this year, a substantial school-based summative oral assessment has been incorporated into the compulsory English language subject in the HKCEE. The Faculty of Education of HKU was commissioned by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) to research and develop the specifications for the new assessment system and a wide range of support structures, including multimedia materials and case studies for local school teachers. Two researchers from the Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong Dr Chris Davison and Professor Liz Hamp-Lyons, led a consultancy team specialised in SBA in working on a training package which includes an introductory DVD and a booklet introducing the components of SBA and two CD-ROMs containing the criteria and standards of the new assessment.

A ceremony, to be chaired by Professor Mark Bray, Dean of the Faculty of Education, will be held to mark the official launch of the school-based assessment component and the support materials, which has resulted from collaborative efforts of more than 500 students, 80 teachers, and 39 SBA group co-ordinators from local secondary schools. Dr Peter Hill, the Secretary General of HKEAA and Professor Paul Tam, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) of HKU will launch the package. A media briefing will follow, during which, Dr Peter Hill, Professor Paul Tam and the research team will answer questions and brief the media on the new initiative.

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the launching ceremony cum media briefing, details of which are as follows:-

Date:December 19, 2005 (Monday)
Time:5:00 – 6:00pm
Venue:LG06 Hui Oi Chow Science Building, Faculty of Education, Main Campus,The University of Hong Kong

(*A talk given by Dr Chris Davison on the development of the SBA initiatives, entitled 'Changing Tests for Teachers: English Language School-based Assessment in Hong Kong' starts at 6:00pm, soon after the media briefing.

For interviews and enquiries, please feel free to contact Ms Elsie Leung of HKU's External Relations Office at 2859 2600.