SBA sharing How to prepare very weak students for the challenge Hong Kong Teachers’ Association Lee Heng Kwei Secondary School

I. Resources 1. Graded storybooks 2. VCDs & DVDs Different genres (Refer to Handouts No. 1 & 2)

Films of different genres To expand vocabulary To improve narrative skills

Sharing resources Timetable (Handout No. 3)

II. Practice before UT 1. Summer bridging course 2. Ordinary lessons

III. A proper start Target : Even the weakest can express relevant ideas in simple English properly Different focuses at different stages : Skills to ideas to better skills to better ideas (Refer to Handouts No. 4- 8)

IV. Programme Plan Achievable goals (Refer to Handout No. 9)

V. Video - recording VI. SBA memos & meetings (Refer to Handout No. 10) VII. The first Term Exam 15% SBA + Paper 3

VIII. Response to HKEAA 1. 2 to 3 students in a group 2. Make it less like an exam to reduce the pressure

VIII. Response to HKEAA 3. Achievable goals 4. Confidence 5. Knowledge of the world, insights in human emotions (p.13, the blue handbook)

IX. Difficulties 1. Very weak foundations 2. Other 4 formidable papers - Writing : words - Reading : instructions & writing tasks - Listening : 30% 3. Inadequate clerical & technical support 4. Grassroots families - VCDs/DVDs & players - Chinese channels every night

X. Strategies 1. Letter to parents 2. Regular viewing at school 3. Achievable tasks 4. Modification 5. Focus on personal experiences 6. A balanced-diet