2004 News Releases

Hong Kong– The Manulife Centre for Children with Specific Learning Disabilities will hold a free open seminar on Saturday, July 17, 2004 to introduce a series of programs on training approaches to Chinese and English literacy for children struggling to acquire literacy skills. These training programs, targeting various elements important to reading in Chinese and English, will be held in the summer of 2004. The open seminar is intended for parents, teachers and members of the public.

“Different skills are required to learn Chinese and English, and the strengths and weaknesses of a student will be reflected in his or her academic performance,” said Dr. Alice Cheng Lai, Person-in-charge of the Manulife Centre at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. "To help enhance a student’s learning ability, it is crucial to give explicit instruction in phonological awareness, naming and visual skills at an early stage."

The summer training programs comprises four courses, namely, "The Reading Brain: Computerised Training for Enhancing Reading and Writing Abilities," "Benchmark English Word Identification and Word Detectives Program," "Parental-Child Shared Book Reading Program" and "Chinese and English Multimedia Training Software."

In addition to introducing these innovative training approaches, the seminar will also cover methods that enhance struggling readers' Chinese and English literacy abilities.

Conducted in Cantonese, the seminar will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Room N001, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Interested parties please contact the Manulife Centre for Children with Specific Learning Disabilities at 2766 6313 for further details and registration. All seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

About Manulife Charitable Foundation
The Manulife Charitable Foundation is a non-profit organisation set up by Manulife (International) Limited in 1998 to support and promote educational, health and charitable activities for the betterment of public welfare in Hong Kong. It has sponsored the Manulife Centre for Children with Specific Learning Disabilities since 1999 with a mandate to assist children with specific learning difficulties, and their parents and teachers, by studying how to identify children in need of assistance and help them develop to their full potential.

About Manulife (International) Limited
Manulife (International) Limited is a member of the Manulife Financial group of companies. Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Pro forma funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$356 billion (approximately HK$2,116 billion) as at March 31, 2004.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

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For more information, please contact:
Helena Lee / Jeanie Ho
Manulife (International) Limited
Tel: 2202 1050 / 2510 3191
Fax: 2234 6875
Email: helena_lee@manulife.com
jeanie_ho@manulife.com