Bulletin Special Supplement Jun 1965

REPORT TO THE VICE-CHANCELLOR ON TEACHING METHODS by P r o f r s s o r A . G . L E H M A N N and D r . J . V. L O A C H CON T E N TS Acknowledgements Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Definitions Section 3: Problems of language Section 4: Lectures Section 5: Small-group teaching Section 6: Examinations Section 7 : General studies Section 8: Steps to be taken in the immediate future A C K N OW L E D G E M E N T S We should like first to thank the Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Ko ng for inviting us to give our views and to help his Universit y at this most interesting stage of its development; and the authorities of the University and the Department of Technical Co-operation fo r making it possible for us to visit Hong Ko ng for this purpose. We have visited each of the three Foundation Colleges more than once and we have met members of the staffs of the Colleges and of the Universit y on numerous occasions; they have very generously welcomed us at both formal an d informal meetings and have all been very patient w i th our many questions and enquiries. I n addition, we were greatly assisted by the work already undertaken and the facts and ideas already collected together b y the Committee on Teaching Methods under the chairmanship of President C . T. Yung. This Committee's Repor t gave not only invaluable information as t o the present position in the three Colleges, but made evident some of the special problems of the teachers and some of the special needs of the students. For all this it is difficult adequately to express our appreciation; we can only say we are gratefu l for the privileges and courtesy extended to us. Our work and our stay in Ho ng Ko ng wer e made more enjoyable by the thoughtfulness and willing help of the administrativ e officers of the Chinese University and of the Colleges; and numerous persons in Hong Kong, not associated w i th the University, also contributed to th e building up of a broad picture of problems of higher education in the community; we should like to thank them all most warmly. Se c t i on I : I n t r o d u c t i on L1.1 We were honoured by the invitation of the Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, D r. C h o h - M i ng L i , to advise upon teaching methods in this recently established University. I n his letter to us, D r. L i wrote of his wish to obtain advice for the University on "reconstituting the whole teaching syste m which would adapt the best features of the British, American and othe r systems to our needs". (see note) L1. 2 The Chinese University was established by bringing together in a federal-type institution, the three Foundation Colleges, Chung Chi College, New Asia College and the Un i t ed College of Ho ng Kong, each of which contained a substantial body of N o t e : T h e best features of the Chinese traditional system of teachin g will be taken into account by the Chinese University when the two advisers' recommendations are considered for implementation. 24