ABSTRACT
In the nineteenth century, various dictionaries and glossaries for learners of Cantonese were published, at a time when various diplomats, missionaries, priests and traders were learning Cantonese as a second language. In contemporary Hong Kong, the motivation of Cantonese learners has become more diverse, with some motivated by work-related needs, others by reasons of heritage, and some by their membership in bi-racial families. In addition, in recent decades, there has been an increasing demand for Cantonese programmes for Putonghua-speaking students in Hong Kong in both academic institutions and business organisations. In the international arena, there are Cantonese language programmes and courses offered at universities around the world. This chapter provides an overview of the learning and teaching of Cantonese as a second language in Hong Kong and various other contexts worldwide.
