PRESS RELEASES: 2009

LegCo members discuss common errors in use of English in new TV series)

The President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Mr Jasper Tsang, and members Mrs Regina Ip, Mr Vincent Fang and Ms Audrey Eu, will discuss some of the common errors in the use of English by Hong Kong people in a new TV mini-segment series to be launched by the Workplace English Campaign (WEC) tomorrow (August 10).

 Mr Tsang will say in his episode that "In my opinion" and "I think" should not be used in the same sentence because they share the same meaning; Mrs Ip will explain that the verb "suggest" should not be followed by an infinitive; Mr Fang will demonstrate the proper way to answer a question that starts with "Do you mind?" while Ms Eu will illustrate the difference between "concern with" and "concern about".

A spokesman for WEC said: "The TV series is a new initiative of the WEC's public education programme.  Over the years, WEC has produced various self-learning materials, seminars and workshops to promote English.  The involvement of LegCo members to promote English learning on TV will definitely help the public become aware of common errors in using the language."

"We would like to thank students and lecturers of the Hong Kong Design Institute of Vocational Training Council for their participation in planning and producing the TV series."

This four-episode 15-second TV series will be broadcast on TVB Jade Channel at 7:45 a.m. and re-run at 11:45 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays until September 4.  The public may also review the series at the WEC's online self-learning platform at www.english.gov.hk/platform and Youtube at www.youtube.com/englishgovhk.

Launched by the Government in 2000, WEC aims to enhance public awareness of the importance of having a good command of English in the workplace and to improve the language skills among the working population in Hong Kong.

End/ Sunday, August 9, 2009

(Access WEC’s Online Self-learning Platform to view the TV series)