Media

Integrating Cantonese Opera in Education

15 May 2008

 

How can the younger generation be attracted to Cantonese Opera, so that such rich local artistic culture can be sustained and further promoted? Can we make good use of the launch of the new senior secondary curriculum, scheduled next year, to integrate Cantonese Opera into the Chinese Language new curriculum?

In the past two years, scholars of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have been working to address the above issues through the "Integrated Cantonese Opera in Education" Project. So far, 7 secondary schools have participated in the Project. Besides learning the scripts and the performance art, students of the participating schools were also funded to attend Cantonese Opera performances both in theatres and in outdoor shed stages on off-shore islands. Famous actors and actresses also shared their experiences in the field with the students.

Teachers and students of the 7 schools will gather at the Project's "Reporting Session" at HKU campus this Saturday (May 17). They will share their teaching, learning and cultural experiences. A Chinese book of curriculum materials entitled《帝女花教室》(The "Princess Changping" Classroom) compiled under the Project will also be launched on the day. The book will be available to local secondary schools for teaching reference.

The Project, operated by HKU's Centre for Advancement of Chinese Language Education and Research, is funded by the HKU Culture & Humanities Fund and the Yam Pak Charitable Foundation. The publication of The "Princess Changping" Classroom is financed by the Cantonese Opera Development Fund. [ Details of the Project, in Chinese, can be viewed from:- http://yuejuedu.blogspot.com 〕　

HKU scholars will brief the media on the progress of the Project during the book launch of The "Princess Changping" Classroom, the details are:-  

Date:             May 17, 2008 (Saturday)
Time:             3:20 p.m.  
Venue:           Room 202, Runme Shaw Building, HKU
Language:     Cantonese
Speakers: 

• Dr Ng Fung Ping (Project Leader / Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, HKU)
• Dr Albert Chung (Project Research Partner / Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Education, HKU)
• Mr Joseph Lam (Project Research Partner/ Teaching Consultant, Faculty of Education, HKU)

* Some students of the participating schools will be available for interview.

Note:- 

* Members of the media are welcomed to attend any parts of the "Reporting Session" (1:30 pm - 5:30pm, at Rayson Huang Theatre).

* Reporting session of each school composes of teachers' teaching experience, students' learning projects or fieldtrip reports, and students' stage performance of Cantonese Opera elements.

For media enquiries, please contact:-
- HKU External Relations Office Manager (Media) Ms Denise Wong (Tel: 2859 2600 /E-mail: denise.wong@hku.hk);
- Project Manager Mr Choi Kai Kwong (Tel: 9123 5941);
- Project Research Executive Ms Bonnie Chan (Tel: 9019 9990)