Whole School Language Policy

The guiding principle underpinning our whole school language policy is to enhance our students to be strong biliterate and trilingual users of English, Putonghua and Cantonese to meet vigorous challenges in higher education and future workplace environment. To sharpen our students' competitive edge, language proficiency is no doubt an important asset. We pledge to provide a congenial environment conducive for learning and using the languages.

Under the fine-tuning MOI Policy launched since September, 2010, our school formulates the whole school language policy with due consideration of the following bases:

1. the needs of students
2. the expectation of parents
3. the standard and performance of English of our students
4. the language expertise of our existing teachers and their professional development needs
5. supportive measures for learning and teaching of English language

1. The Use of English for EMI Subjects
   • English is used as the medium of instruction for all EMI subjects.
   • Students are encouraged to use English to learn in EMI lessons.
   • Study materials and all assignments are in English for EMI subjects.
   • English should also be used in all EMI supplementary lessons as they form part of the school formal curriculum.
   • Teachers may judiciously give Chinese translations of new words if necessary. Yet, explaining concepts in Chinese should be avoided.
   • As EMI subject teachers have major focus on subject contents, they may not correct students' language as long as the students can express their ideas effectively.
   • Chinese-medium materials (e.g. videos) for teaching EMI subjects may be used in classrooms provided that the English equivalents are not available.
   • We provide extra resources to ensure smooth transition in shifting to learn from Chinese to English.
2. Language Environment

   Sharing in Morning Devotion

   • Teachers and students are encouraged to use English to pray and share their thoughts.
   • Sharing and related academic activity promotions are to be conducted in the same medium according to the respective subjects' MOI adoption.

   Announcements

   • Teachers and students are to use English to make announcements in the Morning Devotion. Exceptions will be for subjects with essentially Chinese element like Chinese Language, Putonghua and Chinese History.
   • Except on Day C, teachers and students can use English, Putonghua or Cantonese to do sharings, promote activities, present prizes and talk about students' disciplinary problems.
   • The General Office is to use English to make announcements through the Public Address System (PA). Exceptions will be for special school activities and emergency situations.
   • Teachers who would like the office to use Cantonese to make announcements about urgent or not regular activities should get approvals from teachers-in-charge before 3:00 pm that day. These teachers will sign their signatures on the announcement forms.
   • Announcements written in Chinese will only be posted on the bulletin board outside the office. The office staff will use the campus announcement system to inform students of such announcements at 3:30 pm.

   Promotional leaflets, posters, notices, board or students-as-target publications produced by subjects, committees and societies/clubs

   • All promotional leaflets, posters, notices and messages on boards should be written in English except for subjects with essentially Chinese element like Chinese Language, Putonghua and Chinese History.
   • For publications produced by subjects, the medium of publication should follow the medium used in classroom; while for the publications produced by committees and societies/clubs, there is no restriction on the language used.

   English on campus (used outside class time)

   • English teachers are to communicate with students in English at all times.
   • The subject teachers are encouraged to talk to students in English outside classroom.
   • When students speak in English, teachers should also respond to students in English.

   Support of the English Department and the Native-speaking English Teacher

   • Organizing a wide range of English activities inside the classrooms, outside the classrooms and outside the school to create a language-rich campus.
   • Collaborating with EMI teachers to develop and conduct language-across-the-curriculum learning activities or projects.
   • Providing English enrichment programs such as summer English bridging classes.
   • Giving EMI teachers advice on editing and proofreading.