The Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme has been effective so far, so the Education Bureau has no plan to increase the number of these teachers at each primary school for now.
Secretary for Education Eddie Ng told lawmakers today native-English teachers’ duties include co-teaching with local teachers, and designing and conducting English co-curricular activities like drama, story-telling and debating, to provide a language-rich environment to enhance students' interest in the language.
He said the scheme has not only enhanced students' exposure to English but also supports the professional development of local English teachers.
The bureau has no plans to add more English teachers through the scheme, a preliminary discussion on which was recently held in the Standing Committee on Language Education & Research, he said.
Further ideas have been proposed to explore the best possible use of existing resources, he added.