Ref: 011/2002 - Invitation to the Co-operation Programme on Workplace English between HKGCC & AEMSS (Office & School Visits: October 2002 to March 2003)

Dear Members Last year, The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Association of English Medium Secondary Schools (香港英文中學聯合會), which at present represents 112 secondary schools in the public sector using English as the medium of instruction, to initiate the subject pilot programme. We were very pleased to receive many positive and encouraging feedback from the participating schools, member companies and in particular students who find the experience very rewarding. Special thanks are extended again to the participating members such as Caterpillar, Citibank, Eganagoldpfeil, Fuji Xerox, Gammon, Gold Peak, Goldman Sachs, Hing Yu Metal Works, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Hsin Chong Construction, Jardine Matheson, Karstadt Quelle, Lighthouse Technologies, New Zealand Trade Development Board, Orix, Pinkerton, Scarfell Enterprises, Shell, SCMP, Hong Kong and China Gas, Hong Kong Land, Marco Polo Hotel Group. In order to benefit more students, the Programme this year will focus mainly on school and office visitations, involving a visit/talk by senior business executive(s) of member companies to an EMI school to speak about his/her company and the importance of English in the workplace. Or it could be a visitation by a group of students together with their teachers to a company for the same purpose. It will start from October 2002 till March 2003. This Programme will provide opportunities for the business community to have a better idea of the workings of the Hong Kong education system as well as the attitudes and expectations of the students, teachers and school administrators or even the parents. Senior executives from your companies are encouraged to participate. Executives of participating companies will be invited to a briefing for more details on the expectations and content of the Programme. The Chamber and AEMSS have high hopes for this Programme. We can work together for the benefit of the students to let them be aware of the importance of workplace English in their career. Please send in the participating form (printed at the back of this letter) before 31 August, to our Ms Emma Ho, Chief for Human Resources, via fax 2527 0939 or email at [email protected] or call at 2823 1240 for enquiries. Please do not miss this opportunity to contribute your efforts in improving education in Hong Kong. Your support is highly appreciated. Sincerely 　 Eden Woon Director