Language

Learning Targets

The school-based curriculum acts in concern with the development of students’ ability. Key Stage 1-3 is the foundation curriculum in which reading and writing work in coordination with General Studies while listening and speaking are designed according to different themes. Key Stage 4 (New Senior Secondary) is the application curriculum that works in coordination with Liberal Studies and integrates reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Learning Area

Learning areas include “reading”, “writing”, “listening”, “speaking”, “literature”, “Chinese culture”, “positive moral values”, “thinking” and “independent learning”. (Preparatory content in basic language skills, i.e. reading, writing, listening, and speaking, is provided for students with low ability.) Among all, basic language skills are the core elements of the curriculum. The major objectives of all kinds of learning activities are to enhance students’ basic language skills and cultivate generic skills in a balanced manner. “Literature”, “Chinese culture” and “positive moral values” are learned through relevant learning materials under long-term influences.

Learning targets of each learning area are as follows:

Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing

Language is a major tool of communication. In addition to training students’ basic language skills, the learning also focuses on cultivating students’ interests, attitudes, and habits in learning Language. This enhances the breadth and depth of language learning and cultivates their ability in independent learning.

Listening

To foster the capability to understand non-verbal messages;
To foster the capability to understand verbal messages;
To understand vocabularies and phrases in different occasions and environments;
To cultivate a good listening attitude and habit.

Speaking

To foster the capability to express personal thoughts and needs non-verbally;
To foster the capability to express personal thoughts and needs verbally;
To foster the capability to use appropriate vocabularies and phrases in different occasions and environments;
To cultivate a good speaking attitude and habit.

Reading

To foster the capability to understand written and non-written messages;
To understand words in different occasions and environments;
To cultivate an interest in reading, as well as a good reading attitude and habit.

Writing

To foster the capability in motor control and coordination;
To foster the capability to write correctly, properly, and neatly;
To foster the capability to express personal thoughts and needs with words;
To foster the capability to use appropriate words in different occasions and environments;
Cultivate an interest in writing, as well as a good writing attitude and habit.

2. Literature

Literature is an important element of language learning, including feelings, appreciation, and creation. Through learning literature, students can experience the aesthetic of language and affection among people.

To appreciate the aesthetic of literature;
To develop the interest, attitude, and capability in aesthetic sensitivity;
To enhance the interest and capability in language through reading literature;
To enhance communication and empathy among people through sharing unique yet common thoughts and feelings in literature.

3. Chinese culture

Culture is an important component of language. Understanding culture benefits communication and preservation. Language learning materials include a wide range of cultural elements so culture learning and language learning can be conducted simultaneously. Culture includes living habits, language and words, thinking skills, values, and experiences. Students can understand Chinese culture via the material, the institutional, and the spiritual dimension.

To enhance interest and capability in language with more understanding of Chinese culture;
To reflect on Chinese culture and understand its meaning;
To appreciate the outstanding Chinese culture and develop an affection for the nation;
To practice the outstanding Chinese culture in daily life.

4. Positive moral values

Language is an important vehicle for thinking and feeling while thinking and feeling are the content of language. Learning language not only enhances basic language skills and thinking, but also cultivates morality. Education on positive moral values divides into “individual”, “relatives, teachers and friends”, and “organisation, country, and the world”.

To cultivate morality and judgment which facilitate self-reflection and nurture moral sentiments;
To mould temperament and nurture a positive attitude towards life;
To strengthen the sense of responsibility to the community.

5. Thinking

Thinking is the basis of language use while thinking training works in coordination with language learning. The curriculum focuses on language learning and cultivates critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills through training in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Good thinking qualities, i.e. comprehensiveness, flexibility, agility, innovation and discernment, are also nurtured.

To cultivate critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills;
To nurture good thinking qualities;
To master thinking skills generally applicable to listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

6. Independent learning

The ability of independent learning includes the abilities to acquire knowledge, construct knowledge, apply knowledge, and self-monitor. The habit of independent learning is built on proactive and persistent curiosity and the thirst for knowledge. Through life-wide learning, students’ breadth and depth of language learning can be enhanced which lays the foundation of future learning, working, and living.

To nurture the abilities to acquire knowledge, construct knowledge, and apply knowledge:
- The ability to acquire knowledge: listening, reading, looking for information, observation, questioning, verification and deduction.
- The ability to construct knowledge: analyze and classify messages received and link with previous knowledge.
- The ability to apply knowledge: flexibly apply the knowledge acquired through reading, observing, and questioning.
To enhance interest in independent learning.
To cultivate active independent learning.
To cultivate a good habit of independent learning: observe at any time, read frequently, think thoroughly, verify conscientiously, ask doubtful questions, take good notes, etc.

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