Student attitudes to the learning of English at secondary and tertiary levels

This paper discusses the attitudes students have towards English before and after their tertiary studies. Although research of a similar nature has been done, the present study complements others by following 35 students in their university studies, and it provides another avenue for examining the language situation in Hong Kong. The findings suggested that students were generally comfortable with the language environments and courses offered in secondary and tertiary settings; they agreed that learning English is important in the post-1997 era. The respondents in the present study, who had just obtained their first degree, reported that both a set syllabus in secondary school and a more liberal choice of English courses at university helped them obtain the language needed for career and personal growth. They realized how important it is to possess a positive attitude towards the use of English.