SEEK 上newspaper??
版面/版頁: 中英通通識/F01 明報日期: 2007-11-09
The SEEK programme The SEEK programme @ CNEC Christian College
The SEEK programme is meant for students from F1 to F3. "Though we are an EMI school, it isn't easy
to encourage our students to learn English outside the classroom. The SEEK programme serves as an
initiative. A SEEK participant would set clear goals and make an action plan of improving his or her
English language skills," said Mrs Yuen.
As we passed the school's playground, some F7 students were busy setting up a HUGE Monopoly ( 大富翁)
game board. "On Mondays, our activity days, classes prepare activities for the whole school. All
students take part in them and practise their English! This GIANT Monopoly game is truly a spectacle (
奇觀)!"
SEEK participants are urged to perform various tasks or join various activities witha view to
improving their English. Each activity carries certain points (1, 5 or 10). Aparticipant may gain
some points by joining a Monday activity. They could also work on their own after school to attain
their targets.
Different ways to gain points
Mabel Chung Yik-sau (F3) decided to write an entry in her English diary every day when she joined the
programme last year. Her effort earned her a full 10 points. She said, "I never succeeded in keeping
an English diary until I joined the programme. It encouraged me to write something in English every
day. That has helped my essay writing a lot. My teachers would sometimes write comments for my
benefit. That's so warm and encouraging."
Angela Cheung An-chang and Katie Yang Sze-ki (both F2) plucked up their courage and talked to three
foreigners near the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier. They were each awarded 5 points. Angela recalled,
"We talked to a French, a Germanand a Canadian.We told them about various tourist attractions in Hong
Kong. At first it was frightening, but as we talked, we became much more confident." They even produced
some pamphlets (小冊子), which they showed the tourists!
Raymond Yiu Wui-man, a F3 student, is truly enthusiastic about the programme.He listened to a Norah
Jones CD (1 point), made a few contributions to local newspapers (5 points each) and joined the Speech
Festival (a full 10 points). "The programme has indeed pushed me to explore new ways of learning English.
I took part in the Dramatic Duologue event at the Speech Festival. It was such fun! And I
asked my teachers to correct my pronunciation and articulation. I've learnt loads!" said he."You could see
you were making progress!"
The points a student earns are added up at the end of each month and that of each term. They count as
part of his or her marks in the English subject. Mrs Yuen said, "Many enthusiastic and hardworking
participants have got full daily marks. That's what we teachers want to see. We want to see our
students develop the habit of learning English independently after school!"
Vanise Chan Wing-ue (F2) said at first she found that the programme had taken up too much of her time.
However, she joined many activities and tried to read,speak, write and listen to English at
every opportunity. Eventually, she was happy that she had joined the programme. "It was fun and you
could really see that you were making progress! You'd feel such satisfaction when you look at the
points you've gained. They don't represent your academic achievements, but they show how much effort
you've put into learning English!"
"Dear students, we ask you to come along and make this meaningful journey with us to SEEK
exciting experiences that will help improve your English language skills outside the classroom," says
therecord book of the SEEK programme at CNEC Christian College (中華傳道會安柱中學).
Here, SEEK stands not only for "search" or "look for".Mrs Flora Yuen, head of the school's English
Panel,said, "SEEK stands for Self-Enrichment English Knowledge. It is a programme designed to
encourage students to grasp every opportunity to learn English inside and outside the classroom!"
Text and photos: Sandy Sez to
