Fit for Purpose? Why Chinese Families Choose International Schools in Hong Kong
Fit for Purpose? Why Chinese Families Choose International Schools in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has one of the densest concentrations of international schools in the world, which include “genuine” international schools as well as the unique English Schools Foundation (ESF) system that was created in 1967 by the British colonial government to serve the needs of its families. These Chinese learners wanted an international, English-medium education, but, unlike the previous generation of learners in the Hong Kong international schools, they were increasingly interested in studying Chinese and also wanted to take advantage of some of the special learning support that has become a feature of international education. This led to frustration among prospective applicants as well as heated debates among local government administrators. International schools thus entered the arena of local policies, politics, and finances even now as they try to globalize and free themselves from those constraints. This chapter takes up the issues surrounding these new Chinese learners as they enter the ESF and international schools.
Keywords: Hong Kong, international schools, English Schools Foundation, British colonial government, Chinese learners, international education
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