You can dress up an orangatang, but can you take it out? Smaller class sizes and the reform of English language teaching in Hong Kong

This article discusses a recent, renewed, call, for smaller class sizes in Hong Kong primary schools and the inference by politicians, parents and teachers that such a move will automatically result in more learner-centred English language teaching and consequently higher English language standards. The central argument in this article is that simply reducing the number of children in a class cannot alone accomplish these goals and that any such move must be accompanied by a shift in thinking and practice related to how the children in these classes are taught, how they are assessed and how teachers and schools are rewarded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]\nCopyright of Pacific-Asian Education Journal is the property of Pacific Circle Consortium and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)