A Collection of English Learning Activities for the Promotion of Values Education: Examples from the School-based Activity “Week of Hope”
"Week of Hope" is a signature school-based activity for the SOW Campaign in the 2021/22 school year. The “Week of Hope”, which was held within the period of 28 March – 5 August 2022, is a cross-curricular English Week in which schools organise their own activities that echo the theme(s) concerned to create a learning environment conducive to English learning and the promotion of values education and resonance in the community. Centering around inspirational quotes on the theme “hope”, the campaign aims to enrich students’ English learning experiences and nurture positive values in them through a variety of multimodal resources and activities.
Integrating Values Education into The English language curriculum
Primary level
Using "Hope" as the theme for a variety of English learning activities (e.g. song/movie appreciation, reading inspirational stories) and the English Fun Day to create an English-rich environment to support students' development of language skills and positive values and attitudes
secondary level
Promoting positive values and attitudes in the English Language curriculum by enriching students' English learning experiences with "Week of Hope" activities (e.g. competitions, game booths, English stories) and extending their learning experiences in co-curricular activities outside the classroom
A variety of multimodal resources (e.g. the "Tree of Hope" for students to share their thoughts and reflections on “Hope”, posters of sayings of wisdom (SOW) , SOWIT videos, gratitude jars, campus TV, creative writing) were used to create an inspiring learning environment for the learning and teaching of SOW and the promotion of positive values and attitudes.
Language games
A variety of language games on the theme "Hope" (e.g. word search, designing a cootie catcher, card games) were integrated into the classroom activities and game booth activities on the English Day to reinforce students' English learning and enhance students' learning motivation.
Language ARTs
Language arts materials which promote positive vibes were used as contexts for thought-provoking language activities (e.g. song dedication, poems, song/movie appreciation, drama activities, comic design) to enable students to develop positive values and attitudes, think from different perspectives and make thoughtful and reasoned judgements.
inspirational figures
Texts/Talks about inspirational figures (e.g. paralympic athletes, famous scientists) were used as contexts to engage students in learning from the life experiences, achievements and beliefs of these inspiring people.
Co-curricular activities
Hope and other positive values (e.g. gratitude) were set as the theme for the school's co-curricular activities (e.g. school assemblies, competitions, book exhibitions) to create an engaging and inspiring atmosphere to support students' development of positive values and attitudes and provide relevant contexts for students to use English in authentic situations.
cross-curricular activities
"Hope" was set as the theme for connecting students' learning experiences across the curriculum (e.g. STEAM education, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Visual Arts) by providing relevant learning activities and learning topics to reinforce students' learning and apply the knowledge and skills learnt across the curriculum in an integrative manner.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the following schools for their active participation in the school-based activity "Week of Hope" (2021/22):
Buddhist Yip Kei Nam Memorial College
Canossa Primary School (San Po Kong)
Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School
CCC Hoh Fuk Tong Primary School
Christian Alliance H.C. Chan Primary School
Cognitio College (Hong Kong)
GCCITKD Cheong Wong Wai Primary School
Hennessy Road Government Primary School
HHCKLA Buddhist Wong Cho Sum School
HKKKWA Sun Fong Chung Primary School
Homantin Government Secondary School
Kau Yan College
Kowloon Sam Yuk Secondary School
Kowloon Tong Bishop Walsh Catholic School
Ling To Catholic Primary School
Lok Sin Tong Lau Tak Primary School
Lok Sin Tong Yu Kan Hing Secondary School
Lutheran Tsang Shing Siu Leun School
Marycove School
Newman Catholic College
NTHYK Tai Po District Secondary School
Po Leung Kuk Gold and Silver Exchange Society Pershing Tsang School
Po Yan Oblate Primary School
S.K.H. Kei Oi Primary School
S.K.H. Li Fook Hing Secondary School
S.K.H. St. Clement’s Primary School
S.K.H. Tak Tin Lee Shiu Keung Primary School
Sai Kung Sung Tsun Catholic School (Secondary Section)
Sam Shui Natives Association Huen King Wing School
Shak Chung Shan Memorial Catholic Primary School
Sham Tseng Catholic Primary School
South Yuen Long Government Primary School
St. Mary’s Canossian School
Tai Po Old Market Public School
TWS St. Bonaventure Catholic Primary School
