Technology drives English learning and inspires students’ language development

Located in Tsuen Wan District, Lei Muk Shue Catholic Primary School upholds the spirit of the school motto of "Honoring the Lord, Loving People, and Cultivating the Way", and is committed to cultivating the balanced development of students' "spirituality, morality, intelligence, physical, social, and beauty" so that they can become good citizens. Principal Chen Baoyi attaches great importance to students' English learning and focuses on using different activities to allow children to learn from games, deepen their English knowledge, and improve their language proficiency. Therefore, the school will arrange diversified activities inside and outside the classroom to encourage students to participate in different competitions, so that children can broaden their horizons and learn to strive for progress.

Make good use of technology as learning and teaching tools to improve English learning effectiveness

The school actively promotes interdisciplinary courses that combine electronic technology and English learning, so that students can not only have the ability to apply technology, but also master more English knowledge. To this end, the school adds interdisciplinary elements to its English teaching planning and makes extensive use of e-learning platforms or electronic tools to use technology to drive English teaching and improve learning and teaching effectiveness. For example, students are asked to design programs in computer classes to assist in English learning; senior students use "App Inventor" to design programs and create games to help lower-grade students review English vocabulary; fourth-grade students use "Scratch Junior" to design animated games with English dialogues.

Principal Chen added: "Many times, in order for students to know how to apply these technologies, they must first be exposed to and understand the introduction and usage rules of English before they can understand and learn well." Earlier, the school received a grant of nearly $2 million from the "Quality Education Fund" to develop information technology courses and provide students with various resources to allow them to learn English through exposure to technology. For example, when learning 3D printing, students need to understand the English introduction before actually operating it. Using technology to promote English learning will undoubtedly increase students' interest in English subjects. By learning English from other channels, you can not only stimulate learning motivation, but also consolidate knowledge points in English and technology with the help of technology, making the learning process more convenient and efficient.

Promote independent learning, stimulate interest and encourage exploration

Learning a foreign language requires stimulating children's interest, making them actively engage in learning, and even spontaneously explore different methods to learn, try to learn better, and actively seek progress by actively asking questions and exploring English knowledge. The school is well aware of the importance of independent learning for students to learn English, so it promotes reading throughout the school and is committed to cultivating students to establish the habit of independent learning. The school not only purchased a large number of English books, but also added a self-service book borrowing and returning system and a book exchange system. It also provides an electronic reading platform for students to conduct extended learning in their spare time, making it convenient for them to learn through reading anytime and anywhere. The school also has a "campus TV station" that arranges teachers and classmates to shoot videos to introduce books to teachers and students in the school. Principal Chen hopes that through this, students can be more exposed to books and improve their abilities in writing, language organization, reading and other aspects.

At the same time, the teaching team cleverly designs daily English classes to match the school’s teaching policy of promoting reading. For example, students are arranged to pre-read books related to the topic before class, and previews and videos are provided through the e-learning platform as introduction to the class, so that children can understand the topic through preview before class, ensuring that students have a certain understanding of the topic before class. Principal Chen believes that this method can allow students to improve their independent learning efficiency and also increase their participation in the class. Because students have an understanding of the class in advance through exercises, videos, etc., and then build up their interest in learning, which will naturally increase their participation in the class and make them more willing to take the initiative to learn. In today's era, teachers need to focus not only on "teaching", but also on inspiring children so that they know why they want to learn and how to learn well. Therefore, the school hopes that teaching is not a one-way transfer of knowledge, but provides students with learning goals and directions. Students improve their English language proficiency and ability by participating in different English classroom activities.

English activities build confidence and promote the development of logical thinking

Extracurricular activities are an indispensable part of learning. They can make English learning more interesting and help students build their confidence in English. The school provides students with opportunities to apply English in daily life through interesting activities. For example, board games are used to teach children new English words; different themed activities are held during recess time, and English games related to daily life such as shopping and travel can be played. Schools will also coordinate with festivals and design themed learning activities during Christmas, New Year, Easter and other festivals to teach traditional customs and culture. Through activity-based teaching, students' language talents are effectively inspired, allowing them to explore opportunities for learning English in life outside of the classroom.

In addition, the school actively encourages students to participate in activities and competitions such as English recitations and speeches, so as to build self-confidence and the courage to challenge themselves. Principal Chen pointed out that students were very excited to participate in different competitions. The school hopes to cultivate their interest in English by arranging students to participate in various competitions and activities, so that they can learn about other peers' understanding and interpretation of the same recitation material, and build their own opinions and ideas. Principal Chen added: "We hope that students are willing to learn and be creative." The school allows students to participate in the Cambridge English public examination every year, and the results are outstanding. In the 2023 Cambridge English KET and PET exams, four students obtained full scores in KET and full scores in each area of ​​PET ranging from 153 to 170. The school hopes that they can excel,
There are various breakthroughs and attempts, and you dare to challenge yourself.

Create an English learning atmosphere and promote peer exchange and mutual learning

Principal Chen is well aware that a strong English learning environment plays an important role in students' language learning. For this reason, the school actively strengthens the English context, creates a good learning atmosphere for students, encourages them to learn from communication, and promotes peer learning. Foreign teachers and English teachers will design different English programs for students during morning meetings to promote English learning. The school also sets every Tuesday and Thursday as "English Day" to encourage children to use English to communicate with classmates and teachers. The school also has an "English Wonderland" where students can participate in English activities. For example, English ambassadors assist teachers in playing games during recess and lunch breaks, and use games to encourage children to speak more English. The school participates in English drama competitions every year to enhance students' interest in learning English and strengthen their ability to express themselves in English.

Provide appropriate support and counseling to cater for learning diversity

The school implements the teaching philosophy of teaching students in accordance with their aptitude and provides appropriate support and guidance according to students' different learning levels and progress. For non-Chinese-speaking students, the school arranges foreign teachers to provide assistance to them and take care of cultural differences; for top-notch students, the school will provide remedial classes and top-notch classes to teach according to the students' abilities and learning focus, taking care of the diversity of students' learning.

In terms of English school-based curriculum planning, the school will provide assistance to students with lower English proficiency in class arrangements and provide them with English group tutoring during the tutorial periods before class and before school. For example, we teach needy students in lower grades to learn English pinyin and help them string together words and read words; upper grade students consolidate their English knowledge in four aspects: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. At the same time, the school will also organize some senior students to serve as "love ambassadors" to support lower-grade students in learning English. At the same time, the school will allow senior students to review the past and learn new things, and develop students' leadership, empathy and problem-solving skills through service.

In addition, the school also actively promotes home-school cooperation to jointly build a better learning environment and atmosphere for students. By setting up parent education classes, parents are taught to assist their children in reviewing, so that parents can also provide support for their children's learning. Principal Chen said: "From the time children enter school, starting from the lower grades, the school will provide parents with parent education courses, including Chinese teaching, picture book teaching and other different areas."