030104e02006

	news.gov.hk
	From Hong Kong's Information Services Department

January 4, 2003

Information Services Department

Cantonese class for ethnic minorities

The Information Services Department is helping integrate ethnic minorities into the local community through Cantonese classes.

The Department has organised a two-month basic Cantonese course with Unison Hong Kong to promote cross-racial and cultural understanding.

Canto-class: Students and tutors visit Cathay Pacific City on their last day of the Cantonese-learning programme.

More than 20 kids have improved their Cantonese so far, and the project has also strengthened their interpersonal communication and enhanced their understanding of the local community.

The course, the first run by volunteers from the department, started in early November and was conducted every Saturday afternoon.

Seventeen Department volunteers taught the children Cantonese through role playing, singing, games and competitions.

At today's class, the pupils visited Cathay Pacific City at Chek Lap Kok. This was followed by a graduation party in which students received souvenirs from Assistant Director of Information Services Alex Choi and their tutors.

Mr Choi thanked the volunteers and Unison Hong Kong for their efforts.

Department volunteers are planning more services to help people in need.