EDB and SCOLAR Organise Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-Directed Language Learning Fair, Promoting Students' Language Capacities in Hong Kong

EDB and SCOLAR organise Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-directed Language Learning Fair

The Education Bureau (EDB) and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) today (May 30) held the Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-directed Language Learning Fair to showcase to the public the fruitful achievements of the Student Language Ambassadors in developing biliterate and trilingual abilities, and to share their growth and transformation during their self-directed learning journeys.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, emphasised that the EDB has always been committed to nurturing students' biliterate and trilingual abilities. The EDB has provided schools with the One-off Grant for Promotion of Self-directed Language Learning, helping schools to employ effective strategies to create an environment for students to learn and use languages.

Dr Choi said that the Student Language Ambassador Programme enables students to experience the joy of language learning through a wide range of diverse and enriching language activities, and that the theme of this Fair, "Language Life through Self-directed Learning", also provides an opportunity for Student Language Ambassadors to showcase their creativity and achievements. She encouraged the Student Language Ambassadors to continue to serve as role models both within and beyond the campus by taking the initiative in exploring learning opportunities in their daily lives. They are also encouraged to continually enhance their language proficiency while actively sharing and promoting their practical experience in language use, with a view to inspiring their peers to grow together.

At the ceremony, the Chairperson of SCOLAR, Dr Anissa Chan, highlighted that the Student Language Ambassador Programme is a significant initiative that has achieved great success with the active participation of Student Language Ambassadors. The Fair provides a collaborative platform for sharing effective strategies and showcasing schools' efforts in fostering a language-rich environment through self-directed learning. She also expressed gratitude to schools and teachers for their support in promoting biliteracy and trilingualism to the wider community.

The Student Language Ambassador Programme aims to build a platform for language practice for students across Hong Kong, encouraging them to explore and share the joy of learning Chinese and English, leverage peer motivation and interaction, and thereby promote the practical use of both languages in the community. The Programme has received an enthusiastic response, with 166 schools and over 2 700 students participating in the current school year.

The Fair attracted more than 500 (TBC) secondary and primary school principals, teachers, parents, students, and members of the public. Through a variety of language-themed booths and games, Student Language Ambassadors had the opportunity to demonstrate their language proficiency. The event also featured guest speakers, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Mrs Cindy Chow, and a non-Chinese-speaking lawyer rooted in Hong Kong, Mr Mohan Datwani, who shared their personal journeys of striving for success. Their stories inspired students to harness the power of language as a bridge for communication, thereby unlocking boundless opportunities for the future.

As SCOLAR approaches its 30th anniversary, this event also marked the first public appearance of the Committee's new partner, Ming. Ming is a sparrow who, having worked hard to learn languages, has been invited to join hands with Student Language Ambassadors to encourage the public to make good use of both languages and learn with confidence, and to bravely immerse themselves and master languages proficiently, just like Ming.

For details of the Student Language Ambassador Programme and the latest news on SCOLAR's activities, please visit the SCOLAR website (scolarhk.edb.hkedcity.net/en/promotion_of_languages/sla.html) or social media pages.

The Education Bureau and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) held the Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-directed Learning Fair today (May 30). Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (left) interacting with Student Language Ambassadors at a language booth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Education Bureau and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) held the Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-directed Learning Fair today (May 30). Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (sixth left); the Chairperson of SCOLAR, Dr Anissa Chan (sixth right); and SCOLAR's 30th Anniversary Ambassador, Hins Cheung (fifth left); pictured with SCOLAR's new partner, Ming. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Education Bureau and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) held the Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-directed Learning Fair today (May 30). Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (third right); the Chairperson of SCOLAR, Dr Anissa Chan (second right); and SCOLAR's 30th Anniversary Ambassador, Hins Cheung (fourth right); interacting with Student Language Ambassadors at a language booth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Education Bureau and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) held the Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-directed Learning Fair today (May 30). Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (first row, eighth right); the Chairperson of SCOLAR, Dr Anissa Chan (first row, eighth left); and SCOLAR's 30th Anniversary Ambassador, Hins Cheung (first row, seventh left) with other guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Education Bureau and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) held the Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-directed Learning Fair today (May 30). Photo shows the Chairperson of SCOLAR, Dr Anissa Chan, speaking at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Education Bureau and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) held the Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-directed Learning Fair today (May 30). Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (fourth left); the Chairperson of SCOLAR, Dr Anissa Chan (fourth right); SCOLAR's 30th Anniversary Ambassador, Hins Cheung (third right); and other guests officiating at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Education Bureau and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research held the Student Language Ambassador Programme: Self-directed Learning Fair today (May 30). Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, speaking at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) carried out surprise inspections in Kwun Tong today (May 30) and issued a total of threefixed penalty notices (FPNs) in an effort to clamp down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas.

During the operation codenamed "Smokeshield", officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at one cigar retail shop in Kwun Tong, and issued a total of three FPNs to persons smoking cigars illegally at the premises. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the cigar retail shop who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences.

Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Ordinance), smoking in a statutory no-smoking area (including indoor areas of shops) is prohibited. Any person who smokes in a statutory no-smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. Venue managers of statutory no-smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender to cease the act. If the offender is not co-operative, the manager of the no-smoking area may contact the Police for assistance.

Moreover, where smoking products (including cigars) are sold, whether in cigar retail shops or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000.

In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.

"From January 2025 to date, the DH has conducted over 42 inspections of cigar shops regarding illegal smoking activities, and issued a total of eight FPNs for illegal smoking in these premises. The DH will continue to closely monitor and rigorously enforce the law against smoking in no-smoking areas, as well as the illegal sale and promotion of smoking products," said the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam.

He cautioned that cigar smoking is just as harmful to health as other smoking products, and urged smokers to quit as early as possible for their own health and that of their family and friends. In support of the World Health Organization's World No Tobacco Day on May 31 each year, the DH is launching the 'Quit in June' campaign. Free one-week smoking cessation drug trial packs are being distributed at over 300 community pharmacies, smoking cessation clinics, District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses and DH clinics, while free Chinese medicine ear points patches are available at over 200 designated Chinese medicine clinics to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. The DH has collaborated with the School of Nursing of the University of Hong Kong to launch a pilot AI-assisted smoking cessation counselling service - "Chat to Quit" this year. The AI provides accurate and appropriate smoking cessation information instantly, and offers personalised smoking cessation counselling according to users' smoking history and quitting preferences. It can also provide emotional support.

The DH also operates an integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline (1833 183) to answer enquiries about smoking cessation, and provide professional counselling and referral services. Members of the public can visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation and related support tools and services. They can also download the "Quit Smoking App" to keep track of their quitting progress and obtain tips on fighting cravings to maintain a tobacco-free life.

Source: AI-found images

DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images