Bulletin Vol. 6 No. 7 Jul–Aug 1970

organizing the Symposium, we exchanged views with the Chinese Language Press Institute. They could not agree with us more that to promote the study of Chinese would be of paramount importance to the community and that it was their responsibility to do so. Consequently, they gave us valuable advice and encouragement. We received, in particular, enthusiastic support from Mr. L. Z. Yuan, Representative o f The Asia Foundation in Hong Kong. He has rendered all his help in making the Symposium an actuality. I would like, therefore, to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Yuan and all our friends who have given such generous support and assistance. 辭幕開致中會討研學敎文語國中在長校敏卓李 Dr. Choh-Ming Li delivering an opening address at the Symposium, on the Teaching of Chinese Language and Literature We have spent a lot of time in organizing the Symposium and we have obtained the service of Prof. C. T. Hu, Visiting Professor of Education of the University, to mobilize all our resources for this Symposium. It is heartening to note that the Symposium is both comprehensive and representative, but we should not expect this four-day Symposium to solve all problems in the teaching of Chinese because these problems have been with us for a long time and cannot be solved in a day. A t the same time, we must first recognize that these problems are detrimental to the growth of our community. It is beyond doubt that to learn through one's mother-tongue is all-important and I will leave the experts here to dwell on its significance. Another important factor we have to take note of is that the modern society is developing and changing rapidly. New discoveries have been made in linguistics, philology and mass communications. We will not be able to keep pace with the need and the progress of society if we do not up-date our teaching methods and materials. Teaching methods and materials of a generation ago will no longer answer the purpose. In the recent past, the heart of the problem of education which the Government and the community have been facing is insufficient school places for the ever increasing population and the demand for education as a result of increasing affluence. A l l our efforts have been directed to the establishing of more schools and training of more teachers. Thus, emphasis has been placed on "quantity" rather than "quality" and therefore the chronic ills remain unsolved. It is gratifying to note that in 1967, the Education Department appointed a committee to study the teaching of Chinese and a report was published in 1968. Other organizations and institutions have also shown concern in this issue. But as pointed out earlier, this is a problem which involves the whole community, and the Government, schools, teachers and the press must work together in order to raise the standard of Chinese. We are specially honoured to have among us scholars and experts of Chinese language and literature to express their views and to suggest means of raising the standard of Chinese in secondary schools in this Symposium. Their opinions will certainly be of great value because their knowledge in this field is broad and their insight keen. Besides the lectures, we have three seminars to which the teachers of Chinese in secondary school s are invited. In these seminars, your opinions will be sought in order to find out effective and practicable ways to promote the teaching of Chinese. Your views will greatly benefit us. Your task is as difficult as your duty is immense. We feel most honoured to have you participate in the Symposium. It is earnestly hoped that you will not only listen but will also express and exchange opinions. Give us the benefit of your experience so that a better understanding of the problems and the difficulties involved can be achieved. By means of this, a better plan to raise the standard of Chinese can be mapped out. This Symposium is only a beginning. Whether we can raise the standard in the teachin g of Chinese depends on our concerted efforts and co-operation in future. This University is willing to work through its Colleges, faculties, institutes and centres, towards this goal. — 2 —