Comprehensive English attack, cross-subject language policy, high-quality English learning experience

English is the key to opening the door to the world. As a public middle school in an international city, Principal Chung Wai Shing pointed out that Yan Chai Hospital No. 2 Secondary School is committed to creating global learning opportunities for students. It currently has three overseas sister schools (Japan, New Zealand, and Germany). Through the interdisciplinary group English policy, it comprehensively enhances students' interest in learning English and cultivates a mind and vision that cares about their country and the world.

Inter-subject English tutoring also plays a role

To effectively enhance interest in learning English, Principal Chung Wai Shing believes that English should be integrated into life and connect students’ lives. The cross-subject English policy is an important strategy. All disciplines and administrative groups in Renji No. 2 Middle School have the responsibility to promote language learning, and even the training and assistance groups also consciously make contributions. Take one of the most popular learning activities for students this school year, aviation English leadership training as an example, which is organized by the training and assistance group. More than 50 students were arranged to operate formal civil aviation pilot training facilities and control the "five-axis full aerodynamic cockpit" of Boeing and Airbus A330. Another 30 teachers and students received high-level real aviation flight. In addition to knowledge and skills, students must also learn formal aviation English and combine English with leadership training and career planning. The English equestrian events that have been held many times since last year have also successfully combined concentration, care, and English learning.

Teaching team attaches great importance to English teaching and research

Renji No. 2 Middle School is committed to building an excellent English teaching team. The English department is led by two teachers with senior degrees. The department director, Huang Peishan, was selected for i-Journey in 2019 and was recommended by the Education Bureau to study "Assessment Literacy" in the UK. The deputy department director, Shen Yanyi, has drama teaching qualifications and plans the school's junior high school English drama courses. For two consecutive school years, it has introduced the support of the famous group "Hong Kong Little Shakespeare" to use drama teaching methods to enhance students' confidence and opportunities to use English. In addition to optimizing the school-based curriculum, the school has participated in the "Chinese University QSIP Quality School Improvement Program" at its own expense for four consecutive academic years. Last academic year, the school participated in the Enhancing Assessment Literacy of Teachers in Secondary Schools of the University of Hong Kong. Under the guidance of scholars, the school innovated the curriculum and improved the effectiveness of English teaching in all aspects such as curriculum content, teaching methods, and test paper design.

This school year, the school was invited by the Education Bureau to participate in a three-year instructional language research program. Because the school makes good use of the policy of "turning time into subjects", it has established an "English section" at the secondary level. Mathematics and comprehensive science subjects are taught in English to expand students' opportunities to use English. Teachers also carefully prepared English bridging notes to help students understand the English version of the textbooks; while teachers of mathematics and comprehensive science taught in small groups, adding extra class hours to consolidate students' classroom knowledge. In addition to formal English classes, an ideal language environment and all-round English learning opportunities are also crucial. The school has an "Interdisciplinary English Coordination Team" led by senior English teachers.

Teacher Sha Haozhang said: "We are committed to integrating English into various learning areas. The application of unmanned machinery in different industries is a global trend. Therefore, the all-round learning group planned an underwater robot archeology study and invited international experts to teach students." The school purchased a domestic underwater robot and arranged for students to first take photos of corals in the waters of Saigon, and then upgraded it to marine archeology research. Renji No. 2 Middle School successfully invited international maritime archeology experts to teach archeology to students in English. The entire activity successfully integrated domestic technology, local cultural conservation, and international authoritative experience into one learning activity, reflecting the excellent international characteristics of Hong Kong education. This project is one of the activities of Science Week. The Secretary for Education, Dr. Joseph Choi, also promoted the school curriculum results on the Secretary’s Facebook with the theme of “Study Science and Understand the Country”.

Global English experience and creating a foreign language environment

In order to create a real foreign language environment, the school has successfully applied for the "AFS International Exchange Program" three times. Following Italy and Japan, a Russian boy has been assigned to attend the school for one year this school year. The school uses a flexible day-schooling system to arrange for international students to attend classes with classmates of different levels, and organizes a variety of school-wide activities to promote communication in English. Principal Chung Wai Shing said: "International exchange students can help promote students' motivation to use foreign languages, enhance their respect for multiculturalism, and cultivate cross-ethnic social affection."

The school is committed to creating a challenging English learning experience for students. In order to cultivate students with different English proficiency levels, the English Department provides high subsidies for students to take English courses taught by overseas English teachers and using foreign grade reading materials during "after school hours". In a two-person group model, the focus is on deepening writing and reading skills, and cultivating students to be more confident in handling the high school DSE English open examination in the future.

Renji No. 2 Middle School is one of the few middle schools that directly offers a "six-year consistent" third language subject. As early as 2012, it has offered Japanese as a free elective for students. In order to enhance students' interest in learning foreign languages, the Academic Affairs Team holds the "International Language and Culture Week" every year and organizes diversified activities to promote Japanese, Korean, and German. It is expected that students will master a fluent foreign language after learning English and Mandarin.

Make good use of data and assess to promote learning

The school is committed to practicing "assessment to promote learning". Last school year, it successfully participated in the "Data-driven Assessment Enhancement Programme" launched by the HKEAA for the first time and became one of the 30 participating schools. The "Diagnostic Feedback System" was introduced in the school to promote various subjects to follow the learning needs of students more scientifically in the regular teaching process.

"The school has always encouraged students to participate in different international English proficiency assessments. In addition to understanding their personal English proficiency, it can also help teachers and students strive for excellence in learning and teaching. Students can obtain internationally recognized qualifications, which will help with future studies and employment." Principal Chung Wai Shing continued, unlike some middle schools that only subsidize students with excellent English scores, the school subsidizes students at all levels to apply for the TOEFL Junior English proficiency assessment test. With the excellent school-based English courses and various supporting facilities, some students who were originally behind at the starting line finally entered a new stage of life with their excellent results in the public examination.