Hop Yat Church School English Newsletter June 2014 · life. I have really enjoyed getting to know both the students and staff at Hop Yat Church School over the past four years and

Hello! I’m Miss Maria, Hop Yat Church School’s Native English Teacher. I come from

Preston, a small city near to Manchester, England. I have lived and studied in England all my

life. I have really enjoyed getting to know both the students and staff at Hop Yat Church

School over the past four years and I’m very happy here. I hope that the students will

enjoy their lessons with me in the coming year. I hope that our students can continue to improve their

English skills whilst having fun, ultimately becoming more confident in their English ability.

In April, forty

P.5 and P.6 students who

had achieved excellent grades in

their English classes, were invited to

join an ‘Animation Magic’ workshop at

Disneyland. The workshop was taught in

English, and the students were able to

extend both their vocabulary and

understanding, whilst having fun; the

most effective way to learn

English and improve

students’ confidence!

The students

learnt about how animation

has progressed over the last one

hundred years. They took part in lots

of interactive tasks and they really

enjoyed the ‘hands on’ approach of these

activities. Later, students spent time with

their classmates exploring Disneyland.

Teachers were impressed by how many

students continued to chat informally in

English in their free time. Students

shared their experiences

during an assembly.

Hop Yat Church School

English Newsletter June 2014

P.1-P.3 students take part in a reading-based

English programme called PLP/R-W. Each class

visits the English room every week to have a

lesson with our NET, Miss Maria. Big books are

read together, and phonics activities, games

and songs are all based upon the themes and

new vocabulary learnt in that particular book.

To support their classroom learning, students also take part in a home reading scheme.

Miss Maria matches students to a suitable reading book level at the end of the school

year. The content and vocabulary of these books builds upon their in-class learning.

In P.1, we spend a lot of time building a strong phonics

foundation so that independent reading and writing skills

can develop successfully.

Students are given the

chance to develop their

confidence, as well as

their listening, speaking

and writing skills.

We encourage students to put their

English learning into use, in a fun and

practical way. In P.1, students made a

delicious cake, following the steps of a

recipe. This activity was a lot of fun,

especially when we ate the cake! In P.2, students wrote postcards to

their friends. In P.3, students created a

magazine that was shared with their

classmates. Students learn to work both

individually and in small groups.

Making New in

Look, Mum! I’m on TV.

I’m famous!

Friends England

This year, fourteen P.4 and P.5 students have taken

part in an English extra-curricular class with Miss

Maria. These students had the opportunity to talk

with students at St. Matthew’s C.E. Primary school

in the North West of England. Students have been

making and exchanging video letters with our new

friends at a primary school in England. St. Matthew’s

C.E. Primary School have in turn, replied with their

own videos. We’ve been able to learn all about daily

life at an English primary school, as well as some

interesting English recipes, games and songs.

Our students have worked together to write scripts, as well

as rehearse and perform short scenes, that were captured

on video. We’ve shared information about our culture,

including games and songs. We’ve even demonstrated how to

cook traditional Chinese food, like dumplings!

It was the first time that many of our students have had the

chance to speak English on camera, as well as to communicate

with children from England and they all did really well!

Delicious!

Choral Speaking

This year, students from P.1 – P.3 joined a choral speaking

class. This activity trains boys and girls to work together

to produce a choral speaking piece. These students

showed off the results of their hard work during a whole

school performance in front of all their classmates.

P.6 Interview Workshop

P.6 students have a very busy time preparing for their

secondary school interviews. Each P.6 class takes part in

an Interview Workshop with Miss Maria, where they can

practice their English speaking skills, as well as develop

their interview technique. Students take part in

interview role plays, and are encouraged to recognise

the strengths and weaknesses of their classmates. An

interview handbook also helps them to prepare for their

real interviews. This year, all P.6 students visited a

nearby secondary school for an interview workshop,

where they practiced their one-to-one interview

skills in an authentic setting. The students found

this visit really useful.

English Corner

During our morning recess, members of the English Ambassador Team

introduce and play games with other students. All games are designed to

encourage students to practice their oral English whilst having fun! Students

enjoy the chance to use their informal English with their classmates.

Afternoon Assembly

After lunch, we often have time for students

to share songs, interesting facts or news

stories, poems, riddles and jokes. Students

often work with their classmates to rehearse

and perform these assemblies.

The wider school is invited to participate with

singing or answering questions, and it’s a great

opportunity for students to practice their

English speaking and listening skills outside of

the classroom.

Choral Speaking

This year, students from P.1 – P.3 joined a choral speaking

class. This activity trains boys and girls to work together

to produce a choral speaking piece. These students

showed off the results of their hard work during a whole

school performance in front of all their classmates.

English Corner

During our morning recess, members of the English Ambassador Team

introduce and play games with other students. All games encourage students

to practise their oral English whilst having fun! Students enjoy the chance

to use their informal English with their classmates.

Afternoon Assembly

After lunch, we often have time for students

to share songs, interesting facts or news

stories, poems, riddles and jokes. Students

often work with their classmates to rehearse

and perform these assemblies.

The wider school is invited to participate with

singing or answering questions, and it’s a great

opportunity for students to practice their

English speaking and listening skills outside of

the classroom.