Hong Kong English, China English and World English

Abstract

Some reflections of a practising non-native speaking English teacher. Ten years ago, in a job interview for a teaching post in a government school, The writer was asked: ‘Do you think the government should recruit more native English-speaking teachers so as to boost the English standard of Hong Kong students?’ My answer took the interviewers by surprise: ‘No, I think the money should be spent on training local teachers who are more able to understand the needs of students learning English as a second or foreign language. I believe good English doesn’t necessarily mean British or American English. If we see English as an international language, anyone capable of using it as an effective communication tool can potentially be a good English teacher.’ I got the job, but there are still a few questions in my mind.