Support for Non-Chinese Students

Po Kok Primary School is a school with many non-Chinese students. We aim at providing different strategies for students to learn Chinese better and help to develop a harmonious school environment.
1. School-based Curriculum
In order to cater for the learning needs of non-Chinese students, the school specially designed a completed school-based Chinese curriculum and teaching kits for P.1-P.6 students, which includes school-based textbooks, workbooks, Learning Journal 1, Learning Journal 2, Bank Book, etc.
2. Hierarchical Teaching
In order to cater for learning diversities of non-Chinese students, the school adapts the hierarchical teaching policy. Apart from learning the school-based Chinese curriculum, students with higher abilities in Chinese of each level are advised to have the opportunities to learn the extended teaching materials. Together with the extended teaching materials, students learn with the use of diversified teaching strategies, such as drama learning, Chinese classical idioms, Chinese poems with AR, etc. The diversified teaching strategies are embedded in the curriculum to enhance students’ listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities. Meanwhile, the school has also tailor-made differentiated worksheets for students with lower abilities. Teachers distribute the worksheets according to students’ abilities and teach them in small steps so as to arouse their learning interests in Chinese.
3. Electronic Self-learning Teaching Materials
In order to promote self-learning and self-directed learning abilities of non-Chinese students, the school has designed a Chinese electronic learning platform for all P.1-P.6 students. Students can learn Chinese by playing the interactive games so as to arouse the learning interests of learning Chinese. Also, the school has designed school-based self-learning Chinese textbooks. Using the iPen students can learn more Chinese in an easy and convenient way. This can help them to expand the Chinese vocabulary and knowledge.
4. Classroom Teaching Language
Bilingual teaching in the classrooms is adopted to promote student’s speech development. Teachers use Chinese and English as the medium of instructions at school. Apart from the subject of Chinese, the school uses English as the medium of instruction for the major subjects of English, Maths and General Studies. Bilingual instructions are used in the teaching the minor subjects.
5. Diversified Extra-Curricular Activities
In order to explore the multi-intelligence of students, the school is very focused in helping students exploring different aspects. Apart from the formal curriculum, the school also provides a range of diversified extra-curricular activities for our students to cultivate their learning interests and exert their talents, achieving whole person development. The school makes good use of six different learning aspects, including Brain play, Sports, Music, Arts, Real nature and Teamwork (Be-SMART). Students have different ECAs on Tuesdays and Fridays to explore different aspects and develop their talents. To help students, teachers and parents to understand more about their interests and talents, P.1 students are arranged to join ECAs from all 6 categories throughout the year. Teachers and parents can then help them more if they have outstanding performance in a particular aspect. For P.2-P.6 students, they can choose their ECAs according to their interests and talents.
6. Life Wide Learning
In order to broaden student’s horizons and enhance the efficiency in learning, the school arranges life wide learning activities for non-Chinese students. Apart from celebrating the traditional Chinese festivals, the school has also joined the ‘Sister School Scheme’ organized by the EDB so that students can learn about the Chinese culture, promoting the communication of students of two different places. Meanwhile, the school also has the interdisciplinary reading activities of different themes for students. The school also cooperate with different organizations to provide more chances for students to have a close contact with the society, such as doing Indian Dance performances, Choir performances, etc.
7. Promote Home-School Cooperation and Communication
The school has hired a non-Chinese teacher as the admission officer for the communication with non-Chinese parents. Besides, the school has monthly newsletter, electronic platform and school website for parents to get the updated information about school affairs so as to provide support for students’ learning needs. Last but not least, the school actively promotes the Chinese traditional culture for parents and parents are welcomed to participate in school activities so as to understand the importance of learning Chinese.
8. Summer Bridging Course
The school understands the learning needs of the non-Chinese students in the summer holiday. Therefore, the school has held the summer bridging course for the non-Chinese students and different activities are included in the course. Parents are welcomed to participate in the summer bridging course together to promote parent-child interactions.
9. Teachers Professional Development
The school arranges different workshops for teachers to provide support in the teaching life. Workshops on NCS learning and SEN can help to develop a better communication with students.