NET Scheme
The Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme provides every primary and secondary school in Hong Kong with a mother tongue English teacher. The principal objectives of the scheme are to enhance English language teaching and to increase students’ exposure to English as spoken by native speakers.
Our school has two NETs to ensure that every student has at least a lesson with a native English speaker each week.
Primary NETs work in partnership with local English language teachers to provide students with an authentic English learning environment. They also help to develop school-based teaching strategies and curriculum materials, and contribute to the professional development of fellow teachers.
NETs support and strengthen English language learning and teaching in a number of important ways, including:
- developing innovative learning and teaching methods, materials, curricula and activities to meet the needs of local students
- providing a realistic environment for children to learn English and develop their confidence in using the language for effective communication
- providing opportunities for students to learn English through a range of different experiences and activities
- promoting the professional development of local teachers
- disseminating good practice in language learning and teaching through teacher development programmes, such as seminars, workshops and networking activities
- supporting the work of the English Panel
- providing advice on language learning, teaching and language resources
- working with local teachers on activities outside the classroom, including assemblies, poetry reading, verse-speaking and inter-school competitions (e.g. debating, radio drama, etc)
- devising and helping to run fun English-based activities, with the aim of encouraging students to use English in a relaxed, non-academic context; examples include English Days, lunch-time story-telling sessions for KS1 students, drama, games and quizzes
We seek to develop and implement new initiatives that will enhance the standard of English, both in the classroom and beyond.
The principal focus in Key Stage 1, which covers P1 to P3, is to teach the children to read effectively in English through shared reading, guided reading (P1 – 2), reading strategies, reading activities, word recognition and phonics. Shared reading in class is a motivational activity to arouse interest in reading. All students use the same reader, initially introduced by the teacher, to learn new vocabulary, sentence structures and patterns, and other reading skills. The teacher introduces each story and familiarises the students with it by talking about the characters and identifying sentence structures. Expressive reading is demonstrated and the children are encouraged to predict possible outcomes for the story and make inferences based on what they read. Guided reading in groups is a key activity to prepare for independent reading. Students are formed in small groups and use readers at their instructional reading level. Meanwhile, students apply different reading strategies with the support of the teacher. New sounds are identified through the teaching of phonics and the children are taught how to create different sounds orally and express them in writing. Songs are used to reinforce both ideas from the stories, phonics learning and enhance the rhythm of student’s spoken English. This approach makes reading an enjoyable activity, boosts the students' confidence and develops reading for pleasure.
Lessons for P4 to P6 students in Key Stage 2 frequently involve activities based on themes in the English textbooks and readers of famous authors. The NETs build on these themes by designing a variety of fun interactive activities. Students are engaged and their literacy appreciation and proficiency are developed. We consider enabling the students to respond in English in a natural and authentic way and to increase their confidence important. There are frequent interactions between student and teacher 1-1, their classmates and whole class discussions during lessons. A significant development in our Key Stage 2 teaching has been the introduction of a school-based literacy curriculum, designed to help students read and write more effectively. Literacy curriculum modules have been created for each of the three years, with plans, materials and learning activities covering a wide range of topics. Teaching reading and writing through the new literacy curriculum is proving highly beneficial to students, who are able to produce clear, detailed and well-structured pieces of writing in different styles. Further information about the literacy curriculum can be found in the website section on English Curriculum.
This is my second year teaching at Canossa School (Hong Kong) and I cannot wait to put my years of experience to use and to gain more experience from this well acclaimed school. I’ve been teaching as a school based NET for 4 years; this will be my second year as an EDB NET.
My teaching career started in Shenzhen, China where I worked for 1 year. My main teaching objectives were focused on Phonics and Writing. In addition to this, I facilitated English enrichment camps where students got the chance to use English in real-world situations.
In search of professional growth, I moved to Hong Kong, SAR. In the 4 years that I’ve been working here, my teaching focus has become more well-rounded. For KS1 students, I’ve taught a school based curriculum which largely focused on different text types and students producing their own writings based on the text-type. I’ve also taught the EDB’s PLPR/W curriculum which has a great focus on phonics and reading (shared and guided reading). For KS2 students, I’ve taught a reader based curriculum which also had a greater focus on self-regulated learning and a use of online learning.
In this academic year, I will teach P1, P2, P4, and P5. In addition, I’ll play a leading and supporting role during extra-curricular activities such as the editing of the school’s newsletter, debating, Canossa TV, English days, debating and drama. I look forward to helping the students to grow their love of learning English, reading and drama. If there’s anything I know how to do, it’s to make sure a lesson is filled with fun and excitement.
Outside of school, I’ve spent a lot of time volunteering at the Heep Hong Society, Shenzhen Hearing programme, storytelling with The Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees.
Dear parents and students,
I am thrilled to introduce myself as a new addition to the teaching staff at our esteemed school. This marks my first year teaching here, and I must say that the excitement of being a part of this vibrant educational institution is truly profound. Throughout my career, spanning over 13 years, I have been dedicated to instructing students in improving their English language skills.
Originally hailing from Canada, this lovely city has now become my home. I am happily married and blessed with three wonderful children who bring joy and fulfilment to my life.
Over the course of my teaching journey, I have had the privilege of working with students from diverse age groups, ranging from ages 1 to 16 years old. Fostering the growth and development of primary-aged students has been a particular focus and passion of mine.
In the upcoming academic year, I am honoured to be teaching Primary 2, 3, 5, and 6. Furthermore, I will actively contribute to the Debate ECA and my personal favourite, English Day Storytelling!
Beyond the confines of the classroom, I wholeheartedly engage in extensive reading. Additionally, I devote my time to assisting my children with their studies and ensuring their academic progress. Moreover, as a family, we take pleasure in exploring every corner of Hong Kong, embracing the countless opportunities for fun activities and continuous learning. This may include biking, swimming, and sometimes chess, yet at other times it means going to the petting zoos or science museum.
I am eager to embark on this new chapter of teaching at Canossa and collaboratively working with the school community to provide a nurturing and enriching learning environment for our students. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you, supporting your children's educational journey and fostering their love for learning.