Stimulate English learning motivation, dare to think and act, and set sail for the future

"Dream a Dream, Walk a Dream" is the core value that St. Stephen's Church College has adhered to for many years. As far as English learning is concerned, Principal Mak Wai Lun believes that the most important thing is to stimulate students' learning motivation and let them understand the meaning and importance of learning English. Therefore, the school uses aviation courses to guide students to establish goals and stimulate the motivation to learn English. With optimized English courses, diversified English activities, tailor-made learning support, and the introduction of international examination elements, the school solidifies the foundation of students, seamlessly connects to higher-level learning, and helps students set sail smoothly in the future.

Leading with "Dream" Aviation inspires motivation to learn English

"Many students will get confused when learning English, so it is most important to internalize learning motivation and understand the meaning of learning English. If there is a lack of learning motivation, even if the teacher forces learning, it will only be 'water over the duck's back' and difficult to truly master." Principal Mak Wai Lun said that the school launched the C919 aviation course to let students "Dream a Dream, Walk a Dream", allowing them to directly connect English with their future careers and dreams, and encourage them to take the initiative to learn. This course does not focus on the position of "pilot", but comprehensively demonstrates the diverse development directions of the aviation industry, such as ground crew, aircraft engineer, tower controller, etc. Students can find a direction that matches their interests and abilities in many positions.

The school integrates aviation English elements into the training of aviation courses. Students can not only be exposed to professional knowledge in the aviation field, but also put the English they have learned into practice immediately and become familiar with using English as a communication tool. Principal Mak Wai Lun said: "When students realize that learning English well can help them get closer to their dream career, they will take the initiative to learn without being urged by teachers." Because of this, students' English scores have "risen steadily" and "progressed by leaps and bounds" in recent years, with positive value-added results for several consecutive years, including the highest value-added scores of "Level 8" and "Level 9". Aviation courses are indispensable.

Introducing the International English Test to obtain international qualification recognition

In recent years, the school has actively introduced international examination content into English teaching and implemented it in stages. At the junior high school level, there is a TOEFL Junior course, and all secondary school students are supported to take the international test; at the high school level, secondary school students are arranged to participate in the TOEIC course to learn life and workplace English; at the same time, secondary school students are supported to take the IELTS exam. Through these international courses and examinations, teachers can clearly understand students' English proficiency at different stages and tailor courses according to students' strengths and weaknesses. Students can also take this opportunity to accumulate experience in public examinations and obtain internationally recognized qualifications to prepare for the future.

Integrate reading and drama to promote learning enthusiasm

The school introduces drama education in junior high schools, hoping that the classroom will break away from a single form and become more life-oriented, so that students can experience the connection between English and daily life, and understand that language can not only be used for communication, but also develop in the field of artistic performance. To this end, the school has created a "Reading and Drama Programme" to integrate reading and drama elements into the secondary one to three courses to promote the learning enthusiasm of junior high school students and cultivate their interest in English reading.

The course is taught collaboratively by foreign teachers and subject teachers, using a weekly alternating class model of "reading" and "drama". Carry out reading and reading training through different styles and scripts, and conduct role-playing, situation simulation and other learning activities. At the same time, the course also promotes interdisciplinary reading, allowing students to explore the content of other subjects in the topic and present it in drama to further expand language application scenarios. The course not only promotes students' learning motivation, but also lays a solid foundation in English and cultivates reading habits, paving the way for transition to high school DSE courses.

Top-notch bottom-up strategy provides personalized support

The school implements the top-notch strategy to provide personalized support and build an English teaching system from junior high school to high school. Group teaching is implemented at the junior high school level, and students in the third class are divided into four groups according to their abilities to ensure that teachers can teach students at different levels in accordance with their aptitude. At the high school level, the school carries out top-notch work through the "Star Reaching Project", inviting famous teachers to the school to focus on teaching public examination-taking skills, forming an "internal and external attack" to help top students move towards HKDSE Level 5 or above. In addition, based on the needs of each Form 6 student, the school also provides "tailor-made" tutoring plans, providing at least one exclusive support, arranging teachers to use lunch, school and free time to conduct intensive training on the shortcomings of individual subjects, or improve test-taking skills, and strive to improve DSE scores to help students go further, fly higher, and move towards their ideal colleges and universities.

"Six years of consistent" English learning lays a solid foundation in English

Principal Mak Wai Lun firmly believes that language learning requires "six years of consistency" and must start from junior high school. Otherwise, remedial work in high school will only have a weak foundation and treat the symptoms rather than the root cause. Therefore, the school's English teaching focuses on curriculum optimization to help students truly learn English and master language skills, thereby opening up a broader future. In the past two years, with the assistance of the School-based Support Unit of the Education Bureau, the school launched the "From reading to writing" school-based curriculum. This course covers Form One to Form Three, cultivating students to gradually transition from reading to writing skills. The school also hired a senior emeritus principal as an English teaching consultant to provide suggestions for curriculum development and optimization of classroom teaching. Principal Mak Wai Lun pointed out: "This course can target students' shortcomings, help them solidify their foundation, and practice the educational philosophy of 'letting students go further and fly higher'."

Pay attention to English communication experience and practice English in daily life

In addition to regular courses, the school attaches great importance to students' English communication experience. The school launched the New Zealand Exchange Student Program, which allows students from Form 4 to Form 5 who have met a certain English standard to participate in a six-month study abroad exchange in New Zealand. They study in a local school and are fully immersed in the English environment. They practice English in a daily life and experience local education and culture first-hand, effectively improving communication and independent skills.

In addition, the school has also organized a number of overseas exchange activities to meet the interests and needs of different students. These activities include: New Zealand English study tour group, Melbourne English study tour group, Japanese cultural study tour group and Thailand volunteer service group, etc. By participating in these diversified activities, students can not only strengthen their language skills in study tour groups and experience first-hand the learning model of English-speaking countries; they can also broaden their historical and cultural horizons in cultural study tours; they can also develop a sense of social responsibility and empathy in volunteer service groups. All in all, these rich exchange experiences help students break geographical restrictions and establish international connections, laying a solid foundation for their future academic and career development.

Excellent teachers and stable teaching team, academic achievements continue to rise

The school's English department has an excellent and stable teaching team, including two foreign English teachers who have taught at the school for many years. They not only get along well with students, but are also familiar with students' English proficiency and learning needs. They can rely on their rich teaching experience to continuously optimize teaching methods and ensure teaching effectiveness. In terms of co-curricular activities, the school arranges for a number of foreign teachers to be deeply involved in guidance and training, allowing students to improve their English application skills through communication and interaction. For example, in English debates, English short film production and other activities, foreign teachers play an important guiding role. Over the years, they have led students to participate in various activities and competitions, not only training in the application and communication of English in the process, but also cultivating countless elites who have won many awards and achieved outstanding results.

In the Hong Kong Secondary School Debate Competitions, the school has won the semester championship and the annual championship in the junior high school and senior high school groups for many years in a row, and many students have been awarded the honor of the best debater, which fully demonstrates the students' excellent English thinking, on-the-spot adaptability and logical analysis ability; last year, the school participated in the Filmit 2025 Secondary Short Film English short film production competition and won the championship in Hong Kong, which further confirmed the students' high-level English application ability, narrative ability and unlimited creative potential. In addition, the teaching effectiveness of the English subject has also received professional certification. The school was awarded the Jockey Club ‘Blended Learning’ Outstanding School Award–Best Learning Outcomes last year. Award), this honor recognizes the outstanding performance of the English subject in innovative teaching models and teaching effectiveness; what is more worth mentioning is that the English subject has achieved positive value-added in the school's value-added indicator for many years in a row, and in some years it has even reached level 8 and the highest level 9 value-added. This is a strong proof of the continued success and outstanding effectiveness of the English subject in improving students' learning performance. Together, these achievements reflect the school's firm commitment to providing high-quality English education, the outstanding results achieved by the joint efforts of English teachers and students, and the outstanding talents of students in academic, activity and creative fields.