Curriculum integration for liberal studies in Hong Kong

To date, curriculum reform has been widely embraced globally, a phenomenon whose effects have been felt within the Asia Pacific region. The purpose of this study is to investigate teachers’ perspectives concerning curriculum integration for Liberal Studies (LS), with a particular focus on the current Advanced Supplementary Level LS curriculum and the New Senior Secondary (NSS) curriculum reform to be implemented in Hong Kong in 2009. In comparing the NSSLS and the existing LS, the learning interconnectedness of the former has been highlighted with more focus on the connections between learning within and beyond the subject. Relevant literature has suggested the importance of curriculum integration for liberal studies. As such, there is a genuine need to investigate which approaches LS teachers should adopt, and explore how they perceive curriculum integration for LS. The discrepancies, if any, between theory and current practice in schools will be analysed. Finally, teachers’ concerns related to the need for further professional development will also be identified. Copyright © 2009 James Nicholas Publishers.