ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the linguistic and pedagogical issues related to the teaching of literacy skills to learners of Cantonese. Most discussions about teaching Cantonese as a second language focus on the learning of spoken Cantonese, but in Hong Kong it is important to note that traditionally schoolchildren have learnt Chinese literacy through Cantonese rather than through Putonghua. Similarly, some learners of Cantonese as a second language gain literacy in Chinese through their Cantonese studies. This chapter highlights the considerable difficulties faced by adult learners and ethnic minorities when learning Chinese literacy skills in Hong Kong.
