Language attitudes have an important influence on the development of individual and societal bilingualism, and must, therefore, be taken into consideration in the implementation of language planning and policy. Hong Kong is in a state of flux as a result of its political situation on the eve of its return to Chinese sovereignty, and thus the study of language attitudes is of particular importance and interest for those involved in language education in Hong Kong. This study investigates the attitudes towards English of tertiary level students in Hong Kong in the two years preceding the transfer from British to Chinese sovereignty. It aims to describe prevailing trends in language attitudes among tertiary level students and to identify aspects of those attitudes which may be of concern for language educationalists in Hong Kong.
Data collection is by means of a questionnaire survey and interviews.
The language situation in Hong Kong is described, with regard to the use of English and Chinese in Hong Kong society, the government, education and the media and it is noted that while the importance of English for government and administration is declining, its importance in the domains of work and study is increasing. The survey results reveal dissatisfaction in the respondents with the level of English they have attained, particularly those studying in English-medium schools. The respondents seem to be motivated most strongly in learning English by the importance of English for travelling and international communication as well as for their future employment prospects. Learning English does not appear to be seen as a significant threat to ethnolinguistic identity and the respondents show positive attitudes towards speaking English with members of other ethnolinguistic groups. Most respondents consider English to be important in the future society of Hong Kong and expect to use it quite frequently themselves in their future careers.