Police officers make up a third of the course's enrolment, and we have asked some of them how they think about the course.

For Police Constable Lui Wai-kit from a patrol sub-unit of Tsuen Wan District, it is the second evening course he has attended. He pointed out that as a follow-up course from his previous training of presentation skills, the "English for Meetings" course would help him develop and practise the skills needed at formal meetings or discussions.

PC Lui believes that the course will be useful to his job. He explained: "It covers such skills as organising your thoughts, expressing yourself clearly, asking probing questions, and giving a summary. As a frontline officer, I've no doubt these skills will be useful for my daily work because there are disputes of different natures we have to handle every day. By applying these enhanced speaking skills in tricky situations such as questioning and answering, we might settle dispute cases satisfactorily."

A desire to brush up his presentation skills has prompted Police Constable Man Kin-wah from Quick Response Force, New Territories North to take the "English for Meetings" course on the advice of a friend who had taken the same course. Speaking of the course's benefits, he said he could broaden his horizons by sharing experience with people from different fields of work.

"The intensive English-language discussions in class are very useful. They help us improve our spoken English in our daily police work. Furthermore, improved presentation skills also help us express our points more precisely and clearly, such as when giving evidence in court.

"The course not only helps improve our fluency in English, but also enhances our confidence in expressing opinions. To grasp every chance to practise English is an important way to improve communications skills in English," PC Man added.

Police Constable Lai Ka-chun from Airport Security Unit has chosen the "English for Meetings" course for his career development, lifelong learning, broadening his horizons, and making more friends.

He said: "My job is to patrol in the terminal of the Hong Kong International Airport and I usually have a chance to talk to foreigners. Therefore English is very important for me. Moreover, if you want to have a better career development in the Force, English proficiency is an important requirement. I think the course will help me feel more confident while expressing myself in English."

PC Lui (left) and PC Man discussing their training course with course tutor, Mr Paul Surtees

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