About the Project
About the Project
Young people find it easier to accept new information when this information is presented in the form of a story. This is true when learning a new language, both native and foreign. English language education in Hong Kong can greatly benefit from using locally produced Anglophone literature in the curriculum because it will 1) provide motivation for students, and 2) build their intercultural skills.
Young people find it easier to accept new information when this information is presented in the form of a story. This is true when learning a new language, both native and foreign. English language education in Hong Kong can greatly benefit from using locally produced Anglophone literature in the curriculum because it will 1) provide motivation for students, and 2) build their intercultural skills.
One of the important functions of children's literature is to engage young readers by allowing them to identify themselves on the pages of a book, and to know that they are understood and valued. English language books for children available in Hong Kong have predominantly been produced in the West. This means Hong Kong children who learn the English language are reading about literary contexts far removed from their daily lives. As one of the Hong Kong authors writing in English indicates: “I look forward to the time when children's stories from and about Hong Kong become as common here in Hong Kong as children's stories from the West” (Leou 2014). Recently, an increasing number of books have appeared that portray the realities of everyday life for children in Hong Kong.
One of the important functions of children's literature is to engage young readers by allowing them to identify themselves on the pages of a book, and to know that they are understood and valued. English language books for children available in Hong Kong have predominantly been produced in the West. This means Hong Kong children who learn the English language are reading about literary contexts far removed from their daily lives. As one of the Hong Kong authors writing in English indicates: “I look forward to the time when children's stories from and about Hong Kong become as common here in Hong Kong as children's stories from the West” (Leou 2014). Recently, an increasing number of books have appeared that portray the realities of everyday life for children in Hong Kong.
But books are not only ‘mirrors’; they also represent ‘windows’ to the culture of the ‘other’. Being a very diverse city, Hong Kong offers potential for culturally diverse children books. This will not only help primary school children learn the English language, but will also increase their intercultural awareness and help them to understand and accept the diversity of their wider society, which is a very important skill for a world that is becoming progressively antagonistic.
But books are not only ‘mirrors’; they also represent ‘windows’ to the culture of the ‘other’. Being a very diverse city, Hong Kong offers potential for culturally diverse children books. This will not only help primary school children learn the English language, but will also increase their intercultural awareness and help them to understand and accept the diversity of their wider society, which is a very important skill for a world that is becoming progressively antagonistic.
Objectives of the project
Objectives of the project
Investigate the scope and the role of the Anglophone children’s literature in Hong Kong’s society and education in a multidisciplinary way.
Investigate the scope and the role of the Anglophone children’s literature in Hong Kong’s society and education in a multidisciplinary way.
Explore the benefits of using Hong Kong produced Anglophone Literature in English Language Teaching in primary schools in Hong Kong;
Explore the benefits of using Hong Kong produced Anglophone Literature in English Language Teaching in primary schools in Hong Kong;
Develop teaching materials for the use of Hong Kong Anglophone literature in English Language Classrooms;
Develop teaching materials for the use of Hong Kong Anglophone literature in English Language Classrooms;
Present teachers with ways to use the materials in their English language classroom at Hong Kong primary schools.
Present teachers with ways to use the materials in their English language classroom at Hong Kong primary schools.
Selection of Books
Selection of Books
Teaching materials were created for ten books selected from the extended list of books that we collected. The selection of these ten books was based a number of competing criteria:
Teaching materials were created for ten books selected from the extended list of books that we collected. The selection of these ten books was based a number of competing criteria:
• Inclusion of books across all grade levels
• Inclusion of books across all grade levels
• Connection with the Hong Kong Primary Curriculum, both in English Language Education and Global Education
• Connection with the Hong Kong Primary Curriculum, both in English Language Education and Global Education
• Availability of books in Hong Kong (either in the public library or in bookstores)
• Availability of books in Hong Kong (either in the public library or in bookstores)
• Permission from the authors and publishers involved.
• Permission from the authors and publishers involved.
Research team
Research team
Principal Investigator: Professor Kathleen Ahrens, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Principal Investigator: Professor Kathleen Ahrens, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Co-Investigator: Dr Lee Fung Kong, Jackie, The Education University of Hong Kong
Co-Investigator: Dr Lee Fung Kong, Jackie, The Education University of Hong Kong
Post-Doctoral Fellow: Dr Marija Todorova, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Post-Doctoral Fellow: Dr Marija Todorova, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Research Assistant: Ms Winnie Chow , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Research Assistant: Ms Winnie Chow , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Funding
Funding
The project is funded by the Language Fund under Reserch and Development Projects 2018-19 of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR), Hong Kong, SAR.
The project is funded by the Language Fund under Reserch and Development Projects 2018-19 of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR), Hong Kong, SAR.