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Experiential Learning

mLang

Learn Through Stories: Empowering EM Youth in Teaching English for Underprivileged Children

 

Background of Community Partner

 

mLang was founded by a professional team from The University of Hong Kong, consisting of members from both the Faculties of Education and Engineering. Our primary goal is to conduct research on engaging, effective, and innovative educational technology and pedagogy. Since our inception in 2015, we have been fortunate to receive generous support from the Quality Education Fund, SCOLAR's Language Fund, Education Bureau, TSSSU@HKU, SIE Fund, UBS Optimus Foundation, Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, Oxfam, HKEX Foundation. This backing has enabled us to create an improved learning environment for students and teachers of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

 

As a social enterprise, we are listed in the Social Enterprise Directory of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) since 2019 and were honoured as an IncuTech Company at the Hong Kong Science Park Incubation Programme in 2020. To date, we have served over 105 primary and secondary schools, NGOs, and tertiary institutes, facilitating teaching and learning across eight subjects. Approximately 15,000 teachers and students have benefited from our services.

 

Project Keywords

 

ESL, Storytelling, Innovative educational technology, Online learning and teaching, EM youth, Native Chinese-speaking young children

 

Project Details

 

Objectives

 

This project aims to empower and equip ethnic minority (EM) youth with better communication and teaching skills, enabling them to become tutors who can facilitate native Chinese-speaking kids in learning English and integrating into society. mLang strives to empower primary students living in subdivided units (SDUs) to become confident English learners, encouraging them to speak English with self-assurance and inspiring them to master English confidently.

 

Programme Schedule

 

  • Weeks 1 - 32: Creating teaching materials for each lesson and uploading the corresponding classwork onto mLang platform, check students’ e-assignments every week.
  • Training for tutors (1.5-hour workshop via Zoom; eekend is more preferable)
    • Introduce the mission and teaching philosophy of mLang, the e-learning platform and function;
    • Storytelling, online teaching and classroom management skills
    • Strategies to teach struggling learners
    • Tutors debriefing and knowledge exchange

 

Details of Work

 

  • Prepare teaching materials for online English storytelling classes, including PPTs, and translate the teaching materials into Chinese;
  • Upload corresponding classwork onto mLang platform every week to consolidate students’ learning;
  • Review and provide verbal and/or written feedback on students’ e-assignments submitted to mLang, and offer words of encouragement each week;
  • Provide online learning support to students once a week, during which they can ask questions about their English learning and mLang e-assignments;
  • Observe students’ learning performance, monitor their progress, identify learning difficulties they may face and propose appropriate teaching strategy by writing a 1200-word self-reflection report at the end of the internship.

 

Date

 

  • Working days: Negotiable
  • Working hours: 3 hours per week

 

Location

 

  • Office: Unit 210B, Building 2E, 2 Science Park East Avenue, Pak Shek Kok

  • Project location: Online (Zoom)

 

Eligibility

 

  • PGDE (part-time) students of all majors, preferably majoring in English
  • Certificate / Documents to prepare: Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC) 

(No. of places: 2-4)

 

Application

 

Interested students please submit your application with your cover letter and CV that highlights your computer skills through the HKU online application platform no later than 29 February 2024.

 

If your application meets mLang's requirements, you will be selected for an online interview with mLang.  Details regarding the interview will be provided at a later time.

 

Remarks

 

  • Online storytelling will take place on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
  • Online homework consultation support will be scheduled on a weekday evening, based on mutual agreement between tutors and students.
  • Online tutor training will be conducted on a weekday or weekend, depending on the availability and preferences of the tutors.
  • Tutors will undergo 1 class observation once every 4 classes and will receive feedback to facilitate their professional growth and development.

 

Enquiries

 

  • Professor Elizabeth K. Y. Loh, Assistant Dean (Knowledge Exchange) (Faculty of Education, HKU) [Email: [javascript protected email address]]
  • Ms. Ada Lam (mLang) [Email: [javascript protected email address]]