EMFAR Dialogue Series: Supporting Non-Chinese Speaking Children's Learning Beyond Schools

About the Event

Equal language learning opportunity is key to cultural immersion. Yet, educators may lack the confidence to teach Non-Chinese Speaking (NCS) students, despite the increased funding and professional development opportunities. The seminar will feature the initiatives of Integrated Brilliant Education Limited (IBEL), Hong Kong's educational NGO, that provides daily frontline support services to Hong Kong's underserved and educationally marginalised NCS children. The seminar will introduce a distinctive approach adopted by IBEL to support underprivileged NCS learners. It will particularly focus on bridging the language gaps in Hong Kong, the realities that NCS learners face, and some observations on recruiting tutors who support these learners. The speaker will share his insights on the role of professional responsibility as educators and supporters of diverse learners, speaking to the need to cultivate an integrated and more accepting learning community for all in Hong Kong.

About the Speaker

Manoj Dhar initiated his banking career in India, which brought him to Hong Kong. Over time, he pivoted and transitioned into becoming a social innovator, Co-Founding IBEL (Integrated Brilliant Education Ltd) with his wife - Geetanjali Dhar. For the past 7 years + IBEL has been providing academic relief to Hong Kong's educationally marginalized, socio-economically less fortunate Non-Chinese Speaking children. At present IBEL's 2 EDB registered learning centres provide an inclusive, equity-based environment to 250+ children - via custom-curated academic and out of classroom experiential learning opportunities. Manoj has also been actively involved in encouraging girls rugby and girls in rugby in Hong Kong.

To learn more about the speaker's attitudes on educating non-Chinese speaking children, you may find it useful to Mr Dhar's articles below!