The study reported in this article examines Hong Kong secondary school students’ recognition of and attitudes towards Hong Kong English (HKE) as an autonomous variety of English and thus as a potentially suitable pronunciation model in the local ELT classroom. The study is based on findings derived from a questionnaire survey of 531 participants from a wide range of secondary schools in the territory. The survey findings reveal that local students have a generally negative attitude towards the existence of HKE as a variety and the adoption of HKE as a teaching model. However, there is no consensus among the participants as to whether the use of HKE equates to a low level of English. The evidence also suggests that the majority of students have limited exposure to spoken English. While students’ reservations about the localised pronunciation seem to accord with earlier research, the article argues that Hong Kong students are indeed offered little or no choice but to accept other pronunciation models due largely to the emphasis on native-speaker norms in the curriculum and their limited exposure to spoken English, and therefore accent variation, in their everyday lives. The article concludes by discussing the implications of this lack of local acceptance for the choice of an appropriate pronunciation model, ELT curriculum and materials design and directions for future research.
목차
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Hong Kong English RESEARCH METHOD Objectives Research Instrument Participants FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION Attitudes towards HKE The Use of Spoken English IMPLICATIONS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THE AUTHORS REFERENCES
The goals of Asia TEFL are to promote scholarship, disseminate information, and facilitate cross-cultural understanding among persons concerned with the teaching and learning of English in Asia. In order to accomplish this, Asia TEFL will pursue the following goals:
1. To link ELT professionals in joint research on issues and concerns regarding English teaching and learning in the Asian context.
2. To publish an academic journal, The Asia TEFL Journal, as an internationally recognized journal in the field of English language teaching.
3. To host conferences and seminars addressing important issues concerning ELT in Asia.
4. To develop proficiency guidelines and assessment methods designed for the needs of the Asian context.
5. To develop programs for Asian learners and teachers of English to build their English language proficiency and cultural understanding and provide them with the skills required to be efficient English teaching professionals.