Connecting the world inside and outside the classroom, inspiring life with English

TWGHs Lee Ching Dea Memorial College attaches great importance to the development of students' biliteracy and trilingualism, and has actively laid a solid English foundation for students over the years. Principal Tsang Wing Shan believes that Hong Kong plays the role of "backing on the motherland and connecting the world." Students need sufficient language skills to connect to the world and establish an international perspective. At the same time, she emphasized that English is not only a communication tool, but also supports lifelong learning. The school advocates learning time both inside and outside the classroom, focusing on enhancing learning interests and exploring students' language potential by creating a rich English environment.

Diversified English activities to enhance learning motivation

Principal Tsang Wing Shan pointed out that the key to learning a language is to allow students to understand its uses. They cannot rely solely on classroom teaching, but should enhance learning motivation through a variety of English activities and use school-based resources to promote learning. Through a variety of rich activities, the school integrates English into every corner of campus life, providing students with ample opportunities to use English so that they can experience the fun of learning English.

The school organizes different interactive English activities and games during major festivals such as Halloween, Christmas, Mid-Autumn Festival and Easter to allow students to use English in a festive atmosphere. The school actively arranges for students to participate in various English competitions, giving them the opportunity to showcase their English learning achievements and experience a sense of success. These competitions include an English recitation competition, which is open to students regardless of their English proficiency; the "Good People, Good Deeds" story writing competition organized by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals; and the "Speak Out, Act Up" English drama competition and "English Sayings of Wisdom" organized by the Education Bureau.

Last year, students participated in the "Battle of the Books" event, which was well received by students. In this activity, students need to work in teams to read 10 books together. From the initial difficulty to gradually enjoying the competition, the students' interest in English also grows. When the results are affirmed, they want to continue participating. In addition, the school also participated in the "21st Century Cup English Speaking Competition" and "Time To Talk Public Speaking Competition" to allow students to demonstrate their speaking skills and creativity and cultivate team spirit.

Enrich English context and encourage daily use

The school employs two foreign English teachers. In addition to teaching, they also create a rich English context through diverse and interesting methods, allowing students to use English naturally and flexibly in daily life situations. For example, a badminton society was established to encourage students to communicate in English when participating in sports, integrate English learning into interest development, and encourage learning English for daily life. In addition, foreign English teachers led students to compile the school's English publication "Aglow" to record annual English activities; they also compiled a graduation booklet for each year's graduates (S6 Yearbook), which reviews the study life and unforgettable moments of Form 6. The content includes students’ dreams written in English, DSE tips and teachers’ messages. Teachers and students record memories and leave messages for interaction in English, using English as a tool for communication and memories. The foreign teacher responsible for the compilation hopes that when students see their own graduation album, they can recall their ideals, bring motivation to learn, and achieve ‘Use your English, don’t lose it’.

Connect the world with English and broaden your horizons through communication

Through exchange experiences, the school connects the world with English and cultivates students to develop an international perspective. With the support of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, the school sponsoring organization, students can participate in exchange programs organized by it, such as overseas study tours under the "Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Ambassador Program" and the annual English Camp. Last year, teachers and students from the English camp went to Singapore to conduct a week-long English learning activity there, participate in English courses, and explore the local scene. Earlier, the school established a partnership with Trinity Academy in Scotland and organized study tours in Scotland, leading students to visit local attractions, universities and other places to broaden their horizons.

The exchanges and interactions between partner schools have formed two-way exchanges. In October of this year, the principal and teachers of Trinity Academy led a student delegation to pay a return visit. Student Fang Jiafeng who participated in the reception used English as a communication bridge to lead foreign students to visit the Shatin Museum and Cantonese Opera House, taste egg waffles, and introduce them to Chinese culture and Hong Kong characteristics. This not only improved their English application skills, but also forged cross-border friendships, and they still maintain friendly ties to this day. Through practical exchange experience, students can
Have a deep understanding of the practical value of English as an international communication tool, actively engage in English learning, apply what they have learned, and have the educational significance of connecting the world through language.

Participate in Australian flight training, explore the world and plan for the future

The school believes that English is an important path to success and the future. It is not just about communication, but also about planning for the future and changing lives. The school closely links English learning with students' life, career planning and future development, helping students understand the importance of English and become more proactive in learning. For example, with the support of donors, the school arranges flight plans for students, giving them the opportunity to participate in student pilot training in Queensland, Australia. During the training in Queensland, students need to communicate in English throughout the process. This not only provides a natural context for students to listen and speak more, improve their English proficiency, but also enable them to understand the dynamics of the logistics industry, aviation industry and other industries, explore their own future, and lay the foundation for career planning. Principal Tsang Wing Shan shared that after participating in the program, some students broadened their horizons and clarified their personal development direction. With the goal of enrolling in the Department of Engineering, they found their own direction and finally successfully entered the Department of Engineering of the University of Hong Kong to realize their ambitions.

Promote gifted education and learn English from multiple perspectives

The school follows the principle of "keeping the best but keeping the bottom line" and implements gifted education to provide students with diverse learning opportunities. Principal Tsang Wing ShanEmphasis on the importance of interest in foreign language learning. Based on the three-tier structure strategy of gifted education, the school allows all students to build confidence and interest in English through different activities, competitions and explorations inside and outside the classroom. The school actively explores the potential of students and allows the top students to participate in different competitions and experience learning English. The school arranges students to participate in Academy for Gifted Education (AGE) activities and leads them to participate in the AFS International Cultural Festival to deepen their English learning while understanding multiculturalism.

Cultivate interest in reading and see the world from books

As early as five years ago, the school incorporated early reading classes into the school timetable to encourage students to choose their favorite books and reading materials. Teachers of various subjects will also design English reading materials to promote cross-subject English learning and help students understand English in different fields. The school has also specially compiled an English reading booklet, Read Our Worlds, which contains photos of students’ exchange trips in the previous year. During early reading, students can learn about the school's past exchange activities through the content in the book. Regardless of whether they participated or not, they can expand their knowledge and look forward to future participation opportunities. At the same time, students can write their own reflections and comments after reading, turning reading into thinking. In addition, the school has a Student of the Year Award reward mechanism. Students with outstanding performance will be given the opportunity to participate in overseas exchanges to further stimulate their interest in reading and explore the world through English.

Make good use of resources from all sources to promote teachers’ professional development

Over the years, the school has actively made use of various resources to promote the professional development of teachers, and has maintained close cooperation with the Education Bureau for a long time. Recently, it has participated in its school-based support program and joined a learning community covering 12 primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. Through mutual exchanges, cooperation in English education and other aspects, the school has strived for excellence in teaching. In addition, the school also carries out professional exchanges on English teaching with schools affiliated to Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to share experiences with each other. It also actively participates in relevant programs and workshops of external organizations, keeps up with new education trends such as AI, optimizes teaching strategies and methods, and comprehensively promotes the professional development of teachers, thereby improving the quality of English teaching and students' interest in learning.