Create an international English context and effectively improve learning effectiveness

Caritas Tuen Mun Marden Foundation Secondary School Over the years, it has been favored by students of different nationalities and has established an international campus environment. Students naturally use English on campus and are immersed in a strong English atmosphere. Their English proficiency has improved rapidly. The school attaches great importance to English learning. Principal Chu Yuen Yee leads the teaching team to comprehensively improve students' English abilities. By creating an English context, planning English courses, and designing diverse activities, they naturally connect English to campus life and equip them to become talents with international vision and abilities. Thanks to the school's unique international environment and effective teaching strategies, many students have repeatedly achieved success and outstanding performance in international English tests, public examinations, English competitions and activities.

International English context creates natural learning advantages

The school has students from 18 countries, many of whom are native English speakers. For example, students from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and New Zealand naturally form a unique English learning advantage in the school. Through daily interactions between classmates, students can continue to use English in different life situations. Influenced by the English environment in Tuen Ma and teachers encouraging students to use more English, students' English proficiency improved immediately. In addition, the school attaches great importance to the quality of English teaching and has hired five foreign teachers from different countries to further promote the international English context from the teaching team. The effect is remarkable. Many local students have been immersed in the school's English context for many years, and their English skills have improved by leaps and bounds. Students at the school are taking the international exam, TOEFL JUNIOR can obtain a full score of 900, IELTS can reach level 8, and the English language subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination has obtained 5*, with excellent results. After graduation, many students join English-related industries (such as English teachers, pilots), or study overseas for further studies in European and American countries. English ability has become an advantage in their career planning.

Comprehensive teaching support to cater for learning diversity

The school attaches great importance to English courses. In addition to regular teaching, it also invests a lot of resources to improve teaching standards in all aspects. Students regardless of ability can be matched with appropriate English courses. Foreign teachers will use lively and interesting teaching methods and English activities to improve students' learning interest, such as English musicals, English debates, English weeks, etc., both dynamic and static, arousing students' unlimited learning motivation. In addition, the school has also introduced multiple online learning platforms, such as RAZ PLUS, English Builder and i-Learner, to encourage students to conduct independent learning outside the classroom and improve their English skills according to their different needs. Finally, combining the "Health Care Practice" and "Practical Information and Communication Technology Diploma Courses" in the "Caritas Talent Education Programme", the school will also provide English teaching for related professional courses, so that students who are interested in joining the medical profession, digital technology and artificial intelligence industries in the future can learn English knowledge related to the industry at the same time, one step ahead of others, get an early advantage and stand out among their peers.

English Interdisciplinary Courses Language Learning Extends the Subject Level

In addition to Chinese language, English is basically an important carrier for learning knowledge in different subjects. Therefore, students are subtly influenced by "English environment education" every moment during class. This school year, the English and Science subjects collaborate to implement cross-curricular reading and language learning to enhance students’ interest in STEAM areas. Assistant Principal Guo Jiayu said: "Innovation, technology and innovation are the development trend of society, and practice is an indispensable and important element of STEAM education. The school will specially select some English teaching materials or reading materials that combine experimental elements, so that students can complete small experiments in science classes after completing English classes, and learn more about English grammar and science by leveraging the connections between subject groups. This school year held the "English Stargazing" activity for the first time in this school year, which was a successful example of interdisciplinary learning activities. On that night, the stars were everywhere and English was everywhere. Many local students were able to express different stars in the vast universe in English. While students were exploring science, they were naturally connected to the study of English.

Promote school-wide activities to provide more opportunities to use English effectively

In line with the school-wide English policy, most school-wide activities are conducted in English. Teacher Zhang Huiting, director of the English subject, said that the English subject has cooperated with different subject groups and institutions over the years to make full use of every opportunity to improve students' English skills. This year, the English Department cooperates with the Visual Arts Department and the Music Department to conduct English musical theater workshops in Form One and Form Two, allowing students to experience the charm of English musicals. Classic operas such as "The Sound of Music", "Cinderella", and "Lion King" have been integrated into campus life. The school will also select some students with interest and potential to give them the opportunity to participate in "Alice in the Wonderland". Every Tuesday and Thursday, the school will hold morning meetings in English to encourage English ambassadors to announce and share in English. Through school-wide activities, the English atmosphere on campus becomes stronger and students have more opportunities to be exposed to English.

In addition, the school also arranges for students to participate in English activities organized by different external organizations, and encourages students to participate in competitions to increase their knowledge. For example, the English department sent students to participate in the inter-school recitation festival and won the first, second and third place. The debate team participated in the "Xuesi Cup" debate competition organized by the Debate Association and the Hong Kong Debate Association, and won the runner-up and best debater in the English Debate Competition. What makes students even more excited is that this year's "WLSA Global Student Conference 2024", the school will send students to Sydney, Australia for exchange. Students can communicate with top students from all over the world at the conference and demonstrate their excellent English skills.

"Tuen Ma Miles" Incentive Scheme: Establish goals to participate in exchange groups

This year, the English Department, together with other subject groups, launched the "Tuen Ma Miles" award program (CTM Miles), which is open to all students in the school. The program aims to provide students with a "service learning" opportunity, earn miles through "service", and win opportunities for overseas exchanges. At the beginning of the semester, each student will be given a "passport". As long as students participate in different activities, competitions or services, such as English dramas, English ambassadors or complete tasks in the English room at designated times, they will have the opportunity to win rich prizes and earn "miles". At the end of the semester, students' "miles" and contributions will be calculated. If you have enough "miles", you can get the "ultimate prize" and participate in a Korean technology and cultural learning exchange trip.

Assistant Principal Liu Aiyuan pointed out: "The main purpose of the Tuen Ma Miles Program is to encourage students to learn from service and make good use of English. Rewards are just a process. The ultimate goal of the program is to cultivate young people with both talent and morality and a sense of responsibility."

English combined with moral education to cultivate students with both moral and academic excellence

"Loyalty, diligence, simplicity, respect for the Lord and love for others" is the spirit of the school's motto that has been implemented for many years. The school has incorporated English elements into values and character education and expanded English education to the level of moral education. This year, the school’s character education takes “diligence” as its theme, and the learning activities designed by the English Department are also linked to this theme. Integrating the concept of diligence into English classes not only promotes English learning, but also promotes moral education.

In addition, in addition to promoting English learning, the "Tuen Ma Miles" award program is also closely linked to "service learning" and moral education. The school encourages students to join uniformed teams, such as the Traffic Safety Team, Youth Corps, Girl Guides, etc., hoping that they can serve others in English and actively participate in social services. At the "Caritas Sales Fair" held in November, many students used English to sell products to foreign customers, which was impressive.

From English learning to character education, English learning is extended to a higher level. Demonstrating the spirit of caring through large and small activities not only allows students to learn English well and strive for good grades, but more importantly, teaches students the principles of life and establishes a correct attitude and values.