The Enhanced Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme has been successful in fostering an environment for local students to practise English and boost their confidence in using the language beyond the classroom.

Celebrating the scheme's 10th anniversary recently, Education Bureau Chief Curriculum Development Officer tasked for the scheme Simon Tham told news.gov.hk the scheme harnesses the expertise and experience of native-speaking English teachers (NETs).

"They come from their home countries to work together with our local teachers. It is progressive, fulfilling and challenging," Mr Tham said.

Experience sharing: Education Bureau Chief Curriculum Development Officer Simon Tham and native-speaking English teachers John Hone and Meryn Bulley, plus local teachers Akina Lam and Nancy Sh'e, describe the NET experience.

Growing success

Initially 280 teachers from abroad were recruited when the scheme was launched in 1998 for secondary schools. The scheme was extended to primary level in 2002. Currently there are 900 of the teachers working in government and subvented schools in Hong Kong.

Mr Tham said the very presence of a NET in school enables an authentic environment and a need to communicate in English. Students' confidence in speaking and using English has since improved greatly.

John Hone, who has taught for eight years in Pooi To Middle School which uses Chinese as the teaching medium, said he has introduced various English-related extra-curricular activities in the school such as drama, public speaking, debating, movie production, and journalism.

Students also present European history in English after they have learned the subject in Chinese.

Mr Hone said confidence is the problem with Hong Kong students, rather than a lack of knowledge, saying they "have a lot of input, but not much output". To fix this he works to provide more chances to motivate them to use English.

Teacher collaboration

Another main theme of the NET scheme is to promote collaboration between local and foreign English teachers.

Meryn Bulley from Sydney has worked in Sing Yin Secondary School for 10 years. Besides organising activities, she also co-teaches with other teachers in small-group classes which she described as enabling more interaction and feedback.

Nancy Sh'e, chair of the school's English panel, said there are few chances for students to meet foreigners, so having Ms Bulley teaching in the school boosts students' confidence in speaking English.

"Meryn's influence is beyond school hours and school walls," she said, adding NETs have brought to Hong Kong teaching methods from abroad.

Student achievements

Shaukiwan Government Secondary School English teacher Akina Lam said she benefited from the NET scheme when she was a student at Belilios Public School.

"The native-speaking English teachers' way of teaching is more interesting and lively. Students will sit in small circles and there is no need to raise your hand if you wish to speak. We can also call them by their first names, " she said, adding she will pass on these practices when she teaches.

The bureau is implementing a literacy programme on reading and writing in primary schools. A citywide evaluation on student achievements showed 60% of Primary 4 students in 2006 were at the top level in terms of reading capability and over 50% gained strong structural control of spoken English.

Another international study assessing the literacy of 15-year-old students from 57 countries and regions in 2006 showed Hong Kong students had an excellent performance and ranked third in reading, second in scientific, and third in mathematical literacy.

Mr Tham said he hopes more Hong Kong teachers can benefit from the scheme in terms of teaching and learning while students can nurture an interest in English and expose themselves to western culture.

The bureau will hold a 10th anniversary conference today during which 67 native-speaking English teachers who have been in the scheme for 10 years will be presented certificates.