Construct a diversified English context and simultaneously deepen language and knowledge

Hon Wah College (Primary Section)We understand that English is inseparable from daily life. Only by allowing students to get used to contacting English can we cultivate future generalists. Vice Principal Ou Huishan, head of the primary school, leads the English subject team to promote school-based special courses and strives to create a natural and efficient English context, so that students can not only improve their subjects, but also improve their English skills, practice language and culture, and learn and apply them.

School-based special courses to expand the English scene

The English subject group introduces diversified teaching methods and integrates them into school-based special courses to improve students' English proficiency in an all-round way. Through Reading across the Curriculum, students from primary one to primary four are led by foreign English teachers to read books of different types and themes, and connect different units of the English curriculum to achieve the effect of extended reading, broaden students' reading horizons, and improve their reading interest and reading ability. During the reading process, teachers will also introduce higher-order thinking, encourage students to think and discuss, deepen learning, and promote peer interaction. At the high school level, experiential writing teaching is implemented in English subjects. After participating in school activities, students can conduct reflective discussions and cooperative learning in English classes, organize and share information, and then conduct group writing and develop into individual writing. The teacher provides guidance, recommends appropriate writing styles, and instills correct article evaluation points to promote mutual evaluation and learning among students.

At the same time, the school also subscribes to the LightSail online reading platform and uses the platform’s intelligent system to collect students’ reading habits and performance, and recommends appropriate books based on their levels. Students can also receive encouragement and rewards for completing designated reading requirements and activities, thereby promoting reading development and creating a school-wide reading culture.

Make good use of the school’s advantages and launch an English course

Taking advantage of the advantages of DSS schools, schools have more flexibility in planning curriculum and can adjust the curriculum framework in response to students' future development trends. Among them, the school extracted the scientific content from the general knowledge curriculum and made "Science" into an independent subject, which is taught entirely in English. Vice President Ou explained: “Given that most primary sources in science are written in English, we hope that learning science in English will make students accustomed to reading English and inspire innovative thinking.” The course incorporates the inquiry-based “5E teaching method” and emphasizes hands-on practice, encouraging students to participate more, try more, discuss more, discover learning points on their own, and cultivate themselves into “knowledge leaders” who actively explore and deepen scientific concepts and knowledge. Some contents that cannot be taught or deepened in textbooks are taught in the form of projects in the classroom, allowing students to further master scientific principles and apply them in daily life.

In addition, visual art courses at all levels are taught in English, allowing students to increase their cultural connotation in understanding art history, famous artists, and work evaluation, and to expand their English vocabulary. The visual arts team practices thematic learning models and uses Zentangle, harmonious pastel, artist imitation, ink painting and other media to promote classes to deepen students' understanding of the art field. In addition, the school also organizes the "Han Chinese Little Painters" activity, inviting students to exhibit their works. In addition to creating successful experiences, it can also enhance the artistic atmosphere of the campus.

Interdisciplinary theme learning to cultivate multiple intelligences

The school is well aware that interdisciplinary thematic learning strategies are of great benefit in developing students' generic abilities, so it promotes the "Looking for Me, You and Him, Toward the Path of Growth" interdisciplinary themed learning curriculum, and designs themes at different levels according to different growth stages, such as "My Egg" for Grade 1, "Dream My Dream" for Grade 3 and "Working Dreams and Shared Dedication" for Grade 5. In the course, the teaching team will first integrate the courses of each subject and extract common topics to design scientific inquiry, interdisciplinary project study, all-round learning activities, etc., allowing students to extend the scope of knowledge from a question (Problem), and summarize new perspectives in the process of data collection, sorting, analysis, synthesis, reflection, etc., so as to internalize what is learned in the classroom and construct new knowledge.

Vice President Ou said: "Through interdisciplinary thematic learning courses, we hope to help students discover their personal strengths and abilities and achieve self-affirmation. Moreover, the courses gradually incorporate elements of career planning, which can encourage students to set life and career goals, prioritize them according to their importance and consequences, and then implement their plans, thereby cultivating the necessary traits for generalists in the future world, such as analysis and evaluation, learning and social skills, and decision-making skills."

Teachers and students work together to organize Yingpu musical

The annual Yingpu Musical is a major feature of the school. All 18 students and teachers work together to create an inspiring play, and the performance is led by foreign English teachers and professional theater troupes. The whole musical is divided into two parts, the first half is performed in Mandarin, and the second half is performed in English, fully demonstrating the students' excellent English and general speaking skills. This year, the musical takes dreams and growth as its themes, hoping to bring out to students the message of determination and working hard for their dreams.