English Language Curriculum

It is undebatable that the four skills (reading, writing, listening & speaking) are essential in English learning. Therefore, we strive to nurture our students to have interests in English since childhood and it is likely that our students love to learn English to achieve better results.

     

Exclusion of the English textbook in the first month for P.1 students to learn only phonics with fun and ease

P.1 students who are promoted from kindergarten will not use English textbooks in lessons for the first month and instead, they will learn phonics through the implementation of a multiple intelligence phonics programme. The students will learn phonics with fun through songs, stories and games. Through this consistent and systematic phonics programme, students will grasp vocabulary spelling skills along with the reading skills learnt in the school-based reading curriculum and will be more confident and excelled in speaking and using English. The objective of the phonics programme is to allow students to be able to read fundamental vocabulary found in lower-primary level story books. 

  

As lower-primary students have attributes in trying to read, through the implementation of the programme, students will be able to overcome the barrier of learning a second language. Moreover, the school implements reading lessons for students to read and read according to their levels and interests to nurture their reading interest.

  

Inclusion of school-based Drama curriculum in the formal school curricula

One English drama lesson will be included per week in the regular curriculum for P.1 & P.2 and taught by Native English teachers who are specialised in drama teaching. Through engaging in an interactive English environment, students will develop their skills and interests in English and encourage their diversified intellectual development. It also provides students opportunities to perform in public and competitions. On the other hand for other levels, drama skills will be implemented in suitable modules and with the use of interactive activities involved, students will be able to learn in an English-rich environment in order to equip themselves with presentation skills and confidence.

  

  

Global Eyes English Project Learning (Courses for P.1-6) for broadening students' horizons and encouraging their interests in English learning

Global Eyes Project-based Learning will be included in the regular curriculum. It will be conducted by the NET teacher for all levels from P.1-P.6 to learn interesting information, history and culture from around the world i.e. food, clothing, music, sports, festivals & environmental protection. Moreover, the school will collaborate with 'Inter Cultural Education to hold International Culture Week during the year. During the week, people from different countries will go into the classrooms to have various interactive activities for students to learn different culture from around the world and to provide more opportunities for them to use English in a real life setting in an English-rich environment.

  

  

The introduction of 'Reading Assistant' system in enhancing students' reading aloud ability

In regards to listening and speaking in English, the school has introduced 'Reading Assistant' system developed in the USA. It is a software designed and specializes for training students' speech and it is researched and developed by a group of neurology specialists, psychiatrists, linguists and computer scientists in Scientific Learning Corporation, USA. The programme can monitor students' reading level, and when student encounter difficult vocabulary, it will assist students in reading by providing a correct pronunciation. Moreover, the programme helps optimizing students' pronunciations and thus it encourages students to read more articles. It is proven to be effective with a three-year trial. Therefore, 'Reading Assistant' was included to serve as a compulsory course for P.4 students in 2017 and on voluntary basis for other levels.

  

  

Enhancing the effectiveness of learning and teaching through e-learning

E-learning is one of curriculum focuses of development in our school and so English is no exception. Our school's e-learning implementation does not rely on e-textbooks. Nevertheless, our teachers would effectively and flexibly adapt e-learning platforms and apps for flipped learning such as Edpuzzle to foster students’ self-directed learning; Enable students to express their ideas with different forms, share their work, collect statistics and present using Nearpod and Google Classroom. Moreover, teachers use e-learning and assessment tools such as Kahoot, Padlet and Plickers to let students complete assessments in a game form. In view of this, students would feel like playing a game and at the same time, teachers are able to receive data regarding students' understanding towards the topic. Consequently, by adjusting the teaching strategies for students' learning needs according to the data, the effectiveness of learning and teaching would be enhanced.

  

  

Learning through games – EduVenture 

Apart from the e-learning apps mentioned above, our school has participated EduVenture VR Pilot Scheme organized by “Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong”. Through the use of EduVenture VR in lessons, a computer simulation to create a three-dimension virtual world, students have a perception of being physically present in a non-physical world and observe things in the three-dimensional space in a real-time and unlimited manner in order for interactive learning with peers and teachers. Our school's EduVenture VR also includes teachers' narrations and questions so students can use their eyes to focus on questions set in VR. For instance, 'Environmental Protection' as one of the topic involved in an English module, teachers required students to make an English poster and compose about ways to protect the environment. In order for students to experience the stunning atmosphere of the landfill and elicit their awareness of being environmental friendly, teachers use EduVenture VR to provide opportunities for them to experience something that they may not have a chance to do so in real life.

  

  

Improve English Reading and Speaking Scheme to maximise students' English usage in daily lives 

In order to provide students the opportunity to use more English outside the classroom, the "Improving English Reading and Speaking Scheme" is implemented to encourage students to make a short video by speaking or reading English in FLIPGRID every day in order to extend their English learning and usage outside classroom.

  • P.1 students will not use English textbooks in lessons for the first month and instead they will learn phonics with fun through songs, stories and games.

  • Students aim to read fundamental vocabulary found in lower-primary level story books after the first month.

  • Our school uses a computer simulation e-learning software called EduVenture VR to nurture students' interest in English learning.

  • Our school introduces 'Reading Assistant' system developed in the USA to develop students' reading aloud ability.

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