General English

The General English course strives to prepare every student to adapt to and master the changing socio-economic demands and new technologies of the future. Teachers focus on assisting students to think independently and communicate within a group, to acquire, develop and apply knowledge and to respond and give expression to experience. Within these contexts, students develop and apply an increasing understanding of how language is organized, used and learned.

General English lessons take a task-based approach to provide students with a wide range of contexts and learning experiences. The course aims to develop students’ reading, listening, writing and speaking proficiency, and to enhance their personal and intellectual development and extend their understanding of other cultures through the English medium.

Oral English

Oral English lessons enrich the English Language learning environment by providing a strong foundation in language arts. The primary goal of Oral English lessons is to immerse each child in English under the guidance of a Native English speaker.
 
Evaluation and progressive testing is an ongoing process that takes place throughout the year with spelling tests, quizzes, monitored participation, class projects and presentations.
 
For the lower primary (Primary 1 to 3), the focus is on classroom language, familiar themes and phonics. Songs and poems, chants and stories allow students to enjoy the English language immersion experience.
 
For the upper primary (Primary 4 to 6), interactive, theme-based, activity lessons incorporate phonics and IPA instruction, story writing and telling with focus on speaking for clear communication and personal expression. Primary 6 students are trained in interview skills in preparation for their secondary school interviews.
 
The Whole Brain Teaching method has been adapted for Oral English lessons. The method engages 100% of the class through pairing language points with physical responses. The theory behind the method states that we learn best when our body and brain are activated together, such as when we learn to ride a bike, we never forget.
 

Study Tours

English Study tours are arranged to enable students to experience the culture and livelihood of an English-speaking country. The study tours are packed with interactive English lessons and excursions led by professional English teachers. Students’ well-being can also be developed. Some of the destinations in previous study tours include: Britain, Australia and Canada.

Study Tour to Toronto, Canada (2015 summer)

Twenty students flew to Toronto, Canada for a three-week English study tour in 2015 summer. Students were challenged to step outside their comfort zones and participate in immersive English language classes, excursions and camp activities with children from around the world. Some students shared their experience on this study tour.

“The most unforgettable experience was a day at Wonderland. Riding roller coasters made me feel dizzy but thrilled. This study tour broadened my horizons and I learned to be brave and considerate.” (Carrie Feng)

“I made new friends from Mexico and we will keep in touch. On the study tour, I not only had a taste of life in Canada but also learnt more about the cultures of different countries.” (Natalie Tsoi)

“The best activity was going to Sky Zone. My friends and I played on trampolines and dodge ball. It was really fun. The trip was a fruitful and extraordinary experience. I hope I can go back again.” (Gideon Chan)

“At first, I worried that I could not adapt to the lifestyle there. Fortunately, the counselors were very kind. Our English lessons and activities were interesting and amusing. I grew up a lot from this experience.” (Phoebe Lau)

English Performances

English Performances are held for Primary 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 students each year. Students dedicate many hours rehearsing scripts, songs and dances before class each morning and during recess. Scripts are adapted from storybooks or are written by the students themselves to highlight one of the school’s major concerns, such as ‘food waste’. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend the performances.

Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival

Around 80 True Light students join the Solo Verse Speaking and 50 Primary 2 girls join the Choral Speaking competition each year. Under the training and guidance of English teachers, parents and guardians, students learn to clearly pronounce and express the meaning of imaginative poetry pieces in front of an audience and international judges. True Light students frequently attain high scores and win places in the English section, building confidence along the way.

In 2012, the Primary 2 Choral Speaking Group won the competition and was invited to appear live on television with their recital of ‘Sshhh’, by Les Baynton.

Extensive Reading Scheme

The Extensive Reading Scheme provides Primary 1 to 6 students with a large number of print and non-print texts and a wide range of topics and formats, at the students’ level of reading and interest. The Extensive Reading Scheme helps students develop good reading habits and motivation for reading which are highly beneficial for language acquisition. Students seek pleasure, information and general understanding from reading extensively.

Reading Workshop

Since 2014, the Reading Workshop has been cultivating a love of reading and a good reading habit in the lower primary. Students learn a range of reading skills using the rich resources of a series of storybooks in a cozy and fun environment.   

The Reading Workshop will be extended to the upper primary in the coming years to complement the existing Extensive Reading Scheme. For more information on how you can support your child’s reading development, please read the EDB guide on Parent-child reading.

Free Writing

Primary 1 to 6 students learn to express their thoughts, feelings and emotions in writing. Students are encouraged to use the vocabulary and language they know to write. They also engage in pre-writing, while-writing and post-writing tasks to build up their confidence in writing with meaning and purpose.  In their primary education, students learn to recognize, identify the features and respond to a wide variety of text types, such as letters, journals, book reports, letters, notices, posters, and newspaper articles.