News in Liberal Studies Today P.2-3 Text: Lon Yan in class questioned

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Worksheets in Teacher’s Corner Education Secretary Kevin Yeung suggested developing Putonghua alongside Cantonese in classrooms. (Sing Tao Daily) http://goo.gl/4ziwXE (secondary) or http://goo.gl/QEyZdC (primary) (secondary) or http://goo.gl/QEyZdC http://goo.gl/4ziwXE DUCATION chief Kevin Yeung Yun-hung (楊 Cantonese as a way to learn Chinese and that he was Go to Go to 潤雄) has questioned whether it would be misunderstood. 背 Esustainable to learn the He said he merely suggested experts delve 景 教育局局長楊潤 using Cantonese. further into the long-term development of Chinese 資 雄於電台節目中 “Where can people learn Chinese using education so as to consolidate the city’s strength 料 質疑香港人應否 Cantonese? There’s none [except in Hong Kong]. in two languages and three tongues – Cantonese, 繼續以廣東話學 中文，他說世界 Putonghua will be used predominantly in the future Putonghua and English. 將來中文發展以 development of Chinese language around the world,” One Chinese language teacher worried that 普通話為主，質 Yeung said on a radio programme. 疑香港人用廣東 students learn better in their mother tongue and that 話學中文是否 He acknowledged the advantage of using teaching Chinese in Putonghua would affect their 長遠，會否因 Cantonese to read ancient poems. But he asked if it ability to absorb knowledge. 此令我們失去優 would be better for people to use Putonghua more 勢。他又說港人 The Audit Commission revealed last year that often in their daily lives to get to grips with its slang. 應多學及多用普 while the (教育局) has set teaching 通話表達。他其 In a subsequent Facebook statement, Yeung Chinese in Putonghua as an eventual goal, it failed to 後澄清，說他並 insisted that he was not questioning the use of back up the decision with research. 沒有貶低廣東話 (The Standard, 8 October 2018) 教學，重申本港 兩文三語政策無 變。 The use of Putonghua for teaching Cantonese v Mandarin: When Hong the Chinese Language Subject Kong languages get political @ goo.gl/KJwwiX@ goo.gl/zMD2wp Website Website Monday 15 OCTOBER 2018

6 words to know Worksheet question (v) 懷疑；問 • I have never questioned your honesty. Junior level

True, False, or Not Given sustainable (adj) 可持續的 State whether the sentences below are true (T), false (F), or not given (NG). • Sustainable development needs good planning. 1. Education chief Kevin Yeung queried the continual use of Cantonese to predominantly (adv) 主要地；顯著地 teach Chinese. ___ • The local population is predominantly Chinese. 2. He said global development of the Chinese language will mainly be in Putonghua. ___ acknowledge (v) 承認；認可 • James acknowledged his mistake eventually. 3. He suggested that Hongkongers speak less Putonghua in their daily life. ___

4. The government has failed to do research to support teaching Chinese in merely (adv) 只不過；僅僅 Putonghua. ___ • What you see is merely a small part of the problem. consolidate (v) 鞏固；整合；加固 Advanced level • Revision at home consolidates what is learned in class. A. Mind map Please fi ll in the blanks below:

Writing tips View: there is an advantage View: But the future development in using Cantonese to read of the Chinese language globally Insist is a verb that means to demand something forcefully and not accept refusal. 2. ______. will be in Putonghua 3. ______.

– Mary insisted on paying the bill.

– The boy insisted on going out despite the rain. Secretary for Education questioned the use of It also means to state positively and assertively. 1. ______to learn Chinese. – My friend insisted that the project can still be completed on time.

– He insisted that he had not taken the money. Clarify: Kevin Yeung said he was Comment: using Putonghua only trying to 4. ______the could hinder students’ ability to Insistent is an adjective that means insisting on or SAR’s strength in 5. ______. 6. ______. demanding something; not allowing refusal.

– She is insistent that I return the book to her Answers on P12 immediately.

It also means continuing in a prolonged and B. Critical thinking demanding way. 1. What are the pros and cons of using Cantonese to teach Chinese in Hong Kong? – His insistent whining is getting on my nerves. 2. What are the pros and cons of using Putonghua to teach Chinese in Hong Kong?

Persistent is an adjective that means continuing firmly 3. Which option would you prefer? Why? or obstinately in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. 4. How much Putonghua do you speak in your daily life?

– His persistent effort finally paid off. 5. Should Hongkongers speak in Putonghua more? Why or why not?