Learn English efficiently inside and outside the classroom, learn and use it flexibly, and improve teaching effectiveness

Chung Sing Benevolent Society Mrs. Aw Boon Haw Secondary School Adhering to the concept of "promoting education, cultivating talents and serving the community" of Zhongsheng Charity Society, we develop education and run schools with kindness, practice the spirit of teaching without distinction and teaching students in accordance with their aptitude with love. The school understands that English is very important for students' future development and broadening their world view. Principal Lau Tak Ming attaches great importance to the English development of students, and hopes that through various elements such as English context and activities, inside and outside the regular courses, students can learn and use English flexibly, and gradually improve their abilities in "listening, speaking, reading and writing".

Develop electronic teaching models to promote independent learning effectiveness

In line with the focus of recent years on "promoting independent learning and improving learning and teaching effectiveness," the English Department has incorporated electronic teaching elements into the curriculum planning to allow students to "learn to learn." In addition to promoting "one person, one tablet", the strategy of "inverted classroom" is also implemented. Through platforms such as "eClass" and "Google Classroom", students are allowed to preview before class and complete layered worksheets divided into three levels: basic, moderate and difficult to match the students' respective learning levels. Teacher Li Yanhua, head of the English subject, said: "The inverted classroom teaching materials in junior high schools focus on grammar, because we believe that the basics of grammar are an indispensable piece of the puzzle in English learning." Since students have completed pre-study at home, focusing on application in class not only greatly improves the effectiveness of learning and teaching, but also makes English classes more interesting and flexible.

In addition, the school actively builds a vocabulary library for students to improve their reading and writing skills. It makes good use of the online platform "Quizlet" to allow students to learn more new words anytime and anywhere according to their own abilities. It also allows high school students to learn through platforms such as "Nearpod, Kahoot and Jamboard" to practice vocabulary designed for public examinations. Director Lai added: "Learning to Read is a very important part of English learning, so the school is committed to improving students' English reading level. For example, arranging online reading classes for junior high school students can not only cultivate students' reading habits, but teachers can also evaluate and understand students' reading levels, so as to provide appropriate support and guidance to help them connect with high school curriculum."

Provide opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges and collaborate with each other to improve English skills

Principal Lau Tak Ming advocates creating an international and strong English context so that students can improve their English skills. The school recruits non-Chinese speaking students every year, which invisibly enriches the English learning atmosphere and allows local students to improve their English skills through daily communication and collaboration. The on-campus English courses are divided into different groups according to ability. The elite group includes non-Chinese speaking students and is taught by two foreign English teachers, providing local students with more opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges and learning authentic and pure English.

At the same time, the school has an English Ambassador Program, which is led by foreign teachers. Some non-Chinese speaking students are appointed as English Ambassadors. They cooperate with foreign teachers in the English morning meeting every Thursday to implement the "English Everywhere" activity and provide English sharing and performances on different themes for students. Whether they are non-Chinese speaking students or local students, they can learn and apply English knowledge through diversified activities and collaborations. Vice Principal Wang Jinkeng shared: "The English morning meeting has been held for many years. Through this all-English occasion, students are encouraged to dare to speak English. Non-Chinese speaking students and local classmates work closely together in the activities. Under the mutual influence and cooperation among peers, they comprehensively improve their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, as well as their creativity and problem-solving abilities."

Diversified learning activities to enhance learning across subjects

The school hopes that students will have more opportunities to apply English so that language learning is not limited to English classes. The school arranges all-round learning activities for students at each level. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration between English and other subjects, students can break out of the classroom framework, making English learning more life-like and broadening their knowledge level. In the all-round learning activities for Form 1, the school combines English and Mathematics subjects, allowing students to learn English vocabulary from supermarkets and other places, and learn how to manage money in life from calculations; Form 2, together with the Chinese and Biology subjects, arranges a visit to Ocean Park to see giant pandas, so that students can learn about conservation topics; the English subject will also combine students' career development plans and arrange for Form 3 students to go to Disney for career exploration experiences. Disney employees will share relevant careers and operations in English, allowing students to understand different careers and plan their futures during English learning activities.

At the high school level, the English Department collaborates with the Tourism and Hospitality Department to arrange tourist visits for Form 4 students to learn about Hong Kong in the eyes of foreigners, and conduct analysis after the activities to discuss how to improve Hong Kong's tourism industry. For Form 5 students, the English Department will cooperate with the Civics Department to guide students to understand the conditions of different classes of citizens and explore global poverty issues. The school hopes that in addition to providing students with a diversified learning experience, it will also cultivate students to establish positive values. Through the above activities, students learn English from life, career, social phenomena, global issues and other immediate things, and apply the knowledge they have learned.

Enrich learning experience and inspire language potential

Students’ learning experience is important to stimulate their interest and engagement. The school is committed to providing students with numerous opportunities to get out of the classroom and enrich their English learning experience. The English subject group will organize the "DEAR Programme" to allow students to gain the pleasure of learning English through reading. The school also focuses on promoting English musicals and invites external organizations to collaborate to launch an original work that includes music, dance and other elements. Through English musicals, students can build their interest in learning English. Vice President Wang pointed out: "In English musicals, students are responsible for all the work in front and behind the scenes. During the process, students can learn about creative inspiration." Not only that, the school also cooperates with "Inspiring Potential Education" every year to give students more opportunities to travel to the United States for exchanges. By staying with local families, they can experience studying and living in a foreign country, and truly apply English in daily life.

In addition, the school will encourage students to participate in different off-campus competitions to broaden their learning horizons and build their confidence in English and their interest in learning. For example, a joint school biliteracy and trilingual competition is held to create a healthy competition through interaction between students from across schools in the district, enhance students' self-confidence, and allow them to learn from observation.

All-round bridging courses to obtain international English certification

Students at different stages have different learning needs, and the school actively provides assistance according to their needs. For Form One freshmen, they most need to adapt to the life and curriculum of middle schools. Therefore, after the new students are registered, the school will arrange interviews with foreign teachers before enrolling to assess their English proficiency and arrange an appropriate English transition plan. Through cram schools and activity-based courses, such as summer drama courses, students are exposed to secondary school-level English. For students who are newly arrived in Hong Kong or whose English proficiency is relatively weak, the school will arrange summer junior high school supplementary classes for them and provide Saturday cram school classes after the start of school. On weekdays, the school will also arrange "top-notch supplementary classes" for students. The English department will evaluate the students' status and ability in the first semester, and then conduct "top-notch supplementary classes" based on the students' abilities to take care of learning differences and improve English abilities.

In addition, the school will hold "International Trial Classes" for secondary 3 to 6 students with strong English proficiency and provide them with financial assistance to apply for international examinations. For example, the top students in Form 3 English are selected to take the Cambridge English exam, so that they can understand their own abilities and positioning, and understand their future development direction. The school also arranges IELTS English test classes for Form 5 and Form 6 students and subsidizes their exam fees to prepare them for future studies at the university of their choice. Director Li shared: "Students have achieved good results in both the IELTS English test and the Cambridge English test. Last year, some students even scored 7.5 in the IELTS English test."