Impressive theatrical performances and singing, all in English, by primary students marked the opening of "English Festival 2006" today.

First launched by the Standing Committee on Language Education & Research last year, the English Festival returns this year with seven school-based activities and two TV programmes.

Launching the campaign, SCOLAR member and the festival's organising committee chairman Stephen Chan said this year's activities covered the four language skills �V listening, reading, writing and speaking.

"Some of these are activities are making a comeback after last year's success, while others are new ideas brought to the scene," he said.

"We also have unprecedented support from both local terrestrial TV broadcasters to produce TV programmes about English learning and promotion of English reading during the festival," he added.

At today's ceremony, there was a short play based on Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice by primary students in full costume. Children also sang some classic English folk songs. Some associate degree students also demonstrated how to learn English through games.

Singers Eman Lam and Ellen Joyce Loo of at17 and Chet Lam were appointed English Festival 2006 Ambassadors.

School-based activities

Funded by the Language Fund, the English Festival aims to increase public interest in the learning and use of English.

The seven school-based activities to be held this year include:

* Photo Stories: 'Through My Eyes' - encourages primary students' creative writing;

* English Debate Competition and Workshop 2006 - promotes debating;

* English Survivor Competition - combines learning and games;

* Little School Bags: Folk Songs Sing Along - brings the three international languages of English, music and drawing together;

* three series of drama performances and workshops - 'Interacting' in Hong Kong: A Theatrical Learning Experience, Shakespeare-rama: The Merchant of Venice and Singing English with Fun.

TV programmes

The festival has commissioned Asia Television Limited to produce a TV programme entitled A Bookworm's Choice to promote English reading, while Television Broadcasts Limited will produce a new season of One-minute English to teach thematic English, such as English in sports, English in cooking.

One-minute English will be on air on TVB Jade Channel at 7.30pm from Monday to Friday, and starts tomorrow. A Bookworm's Choice will be broadcast on ATV Home Channel at 3.45pm eachTuesday and Thursday from April 6 to May 25.

For details of the English Festival, click here.