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Language Learning: An Investment in Your Future

Hong Kong's drive to become Asia's World City, coupled with the territory's transformation into a knowledge-based economy, has lifted demand for language classes, writes CHRISTIAN CHASSET

In Hong Kong, Asia's Word City, everyone knows the importance of speaking a second or third language, or even more. Every day, we have to communicate effectively and accurately with clients, business partners and other people of various nationalities, both at home and abroad. As such, being able to speak more than just our mother tongue has not only become a necessity, it is now viewed as an investment in our future.

Over the past 20 years, interest in learning languages in Hong Kong has skyrocketed. This clearly demonstrates that the need and desire to learn and improve one's language skills is very much alive in Hong Kong.

Many people who decide to learn a new language or improve their existing skills choose to study English or Mandarin. French and Japanese are popular third languages, with French being the most popular European language after English.

Interestingly, Hong Kong Institute of Languages, which was established in 1985, has found that just what language people choose to learn in Hong Kong often depends on what is in vogue. In the eighties, demand for European languages and Japanese was high. In the nineties, locals and Westerners started to learn Mandarin, with a huge surge in the years just before the handover. Currently, demand for Mandarin remains strong amongst both locals and Westerners, especially for those engaged in, or looking to do, business in China. Yet English continues to be the most popular language that people in Hong Kong want to study.

The state of the economy also influences people's attitudes towards language learning. When the economy is weak, human resources managers often have their training budget cut. So what was, for many corporations, once part of the employee retention programme, or simply as a bonus, in recent years has been limited to the essential needs of the company.

On the other hand, when the economy is down, individual enrolments in language schools often rise, as locals strive to better equip themselves with new or improved language skills to help see them through hard times.

English-speaking expatriates are fortunate that English remains one of the official languages of Hong Kong. They can be easily understood by most locals, and have access to local English language newspapers and TV. Obviously, the environment does not encourage them to learn Cantonese, as they might learn Japanese if in Japan, or Mandarin in China, where English is not so prevalent. 

As a result, Mandarin, not Cantonese, is often the first language that foreigners in Hong Kong take up. It is considered by many to be easier to learn than Cantonese and more useful for the future. Although Mandarin is the most popular choice, some Westerners now realise that if their foreseeable future does not include travel to the Mainland, it is probably wiser to gain a basic understanding of Cantonese.

Many people, however, take language lessons for pure pleasure. They enjoy not only learning to speak another language, but also discovering more about the country, its people, and their culture.

Today, there have never been so many opportunities or incentives to improve one's language skills. The government is also encouraging people to upgrade their language skills with the implementation of the NET scheme, the Workplace English Campaign, the SME Training Fund and the Continuing Education Fund.

Learning a foreign language is more than just another line on a resume, or success in an examination. It enhances our understanding of the world we live in. With Hong Kong people's drive to do business internationally, and their recognition of the importance of Mandarin and English, the language industry will certainly continue to flourish for many years to come.

Christian Chasset is Director of Hong Kong Institute of Languages. He can be reached at chasset@hklanguages.com

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