http://homepage.mac.com/moogoonghwa/earth/current/hklna/ff/quality/critique.html

Dear Dr. Li,

It has been almost two years since we last shared many long minutes together in your CUHK office, and much has transpired in our lives since then.

In December of last year I presented a second paper on the barriers to communication that arise when people are compelled to learn a language for which they have little need or inclination. This paper was presented at the Hong Kong Institute of Education with an invitation from the ILEC 2001 organizing committee. In October of last year I completed a third paper in which I examined the broad reaching economic ramifications of this problem as it applies to the Hong Kong region. On January 23 I attended SCOLAR's public consultation entitled "Action Plan to Raise Language Standards in Hong Kong" and listened to many different opinions about the current state of second language education reform. I myself was allowed to elaborate on the problem of student and teacher motivation as it relates to the region's changing political landscape. On Tuesday I met with the Head of Charities, Hong Kong Jockey Club, about funding for a research project that my company has developed over the past four months. Already I have met with a SCMP Beijing reporter and am currently in search of speaking engagements at the Canadian, Australian, and American Chambers of Commerce. Before this month has closed I expect to hold my first interview with the Education Editor of the South China Morning Post. A formal application for use of the HK Brand logo has also been submitted.

The SCOLAR report, Language Education Review, published in early January 2003 largely ignores the aforementioned barrier problem and does not question the universal language requirement as well-intended, but misguided government policy -- this despite my company's having provided ample theoretical and empirical information to SCOLAR as to why these matters must be more fully explored before any reform is undertaken.

The Hong Kong Language Needs Assessment Project (HKLNA-Project) is an ambitious project and represents already more than four months of voluntary effort. Right now the government and the people of Hong Kong are still in a period of consultation.It is an opportune time to bring this matter to your attention. In my meeting at the Hong Kong Jockey Club I learned that no public charitable organization can be expected to donate money for the continuation of this project without a firm statement from the Hong Kong government, as to why itself cannot. As the EMB would be a principal beneficiary of the project's successful completion the Jockey Club's stand can be well appreciated.

In order to provide you and others both a brief and thorough look at the HKLNA-Project I have developed a webpage for easy perusal. Below is a list of selected starting points that you may access by clicking on the highlighted areas. After reviewing these to the extent you deem necessary, I would very much like to discuss my project with you in person. You once told me that to steer CUHK's many collegiate bodies you required many turns of the wheel to obtain even the smallest change in direction. Now that you stand at the helm of a much larger ship, surely the number of turns has increased. The HKLNA-Project offers you a means to reduce the number of turns by providing you as head of the EMB that information you will likely require to convince others about the wisdom of your vision.

Below are the aforementioned links.You may access this letter as many times as you need by clicking again on the highlighted area in the body of the accompanying email.