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International Practicum (in-person)

NIE X HKU International Practicum Exchange Programme (Singapore) (2024-25)

Sri Lanka International Practicum Adventure Programme 2025

NIE X HKU International Practicum Exchange Programme (Singapore) (2023-24)

NIE X HKU International Practicum Exchange Programme (Singapore) (2022-23)

 

 

 

NIE X HKU International Practicum Exchange Programme (Singapore) (2024-25)

 

Dedicated to elevating student experience in a global context, the School-University Partnerships Office organised the NIE x HKU International Practicum Exchange Programme 2024-25. Through our partnership with the National Institute of Education Singapore, a group of 5 students participated in the programme and undertook a 4-week teaching practicum in summer 2025.

Students engaged in an array of activities as they worked alongside experienced educators in Singapore, from conducting lesson observations and assisting with marking and lesson planning to delivering lessons and joining various school activities including staff meetings, field trips and interest clubs.

Savouring the transformative learning experience, students expressed gratitude for their personal and professional growth through the banquet of activities offered by the programme. They are eager to apply what they have learnt to create a positive impact in education and beyond.

Find out more about the students’ achievements below and on Faculty News.

 

NIE Part 2 Photos

 

HKU Participants

Quotation marks Through this learning journey, I had some breakthroughs in personal and professional development. Regarding personal development, I realized that I enjoy teaching very much. I found it was very enjoyable when I was designing the lesson plan and creating lesson materials. I always wanted to try to create my lesson in an engaging way and include more interesting facts to broaden students’ horizons. I also found myself passionate and excited about facilitating students’ learning. When students asked me questions, I would be very willing and eager to answer their inquiries. I also actively asked my mentor if she could hold some after-class tutorials so that I could help the students in need to catch up with their progress.

Quotation marks This experience has deepened my respect for the complexities of bilingual education. Teaching Mandarin to students whose home language might not be Mandarin— and who may lack confidence in using the language—requires not only patience but also sophisticated pedagogical strategies. This has motivated me to further explore language acquisition theories and multilingual teaching strategies in future coursework.
 

This practicum has reaffirmed my commitment to teaching as a career. I experienced the joys and challenges of seeing students improve, the satisfaction of a well-run class, and the emotional labour involved in connecting with students who struggle. Most importantly, I learned how to teach a lesson that is not just well-paced, but purpose-driven—with learner outcomes that are visible and meaningful to students. These insights will serve as guiding principles for my continued development as an educator.

Quotation marks My practicum experience in Singapore was a true treasure, an unforgettable journey that fundamentally reshaped me as both an individual and an educator. I arrived with a set of expectations and academic theories, but I left with a wealth of practical teaching skills and invaluable experiences. My learning unfolded on two distinct but interconnected fronts: a profound shift in my understanding of Singapore as a nation, and a series of critical, hard-won discoveries within my own teaching practice.

 

My time in Singapore was truly transformative, reshaping my professional identity into one that is more relaxed, creative, and student-centered. I learned that teaching is a joyful process of co-discovery built on genuine care. This vision has armed me with a clear purpose and passion to fully embraced teaching as my calling.

Quotation marks This practicum was a rich learning journey that helped me achieve my intended learning outcomes. I gained practical experience in lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching execution. I learned how to observe and reflect on students’ behavior to adjust my teaching strategies.
 

On a career level, this practicum strengthened my determination to become a teacher. I now have a clearer understanding of the challenges in teaching. I want to continue improving my skills, especially in designing effective activities and asking better open-ended questions.
 

In conclusion, this practicum was a meaningful and transformative experience. Over the four weeks, I grew both as a teacher and as an individual. The lessons I learned, the challenges I overcame, and the inspiration I received will stay with me as I continue my journey toward becoming a better educator. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and will cherish these memories as a valuable part of my teaching journey.

Quotation marks In the coming future, I will always remind myself that I am playing an important role in the development of student-teacher rapport and encourage myself to take the initiative to interact with my students. To conclude, this practicum allowed me to work alongside experienced mentor-teacher under a different education system and school culture, and hence I could observe their common practice and reflect on my possible improvement. This also allowed me to have a better understanding of teachers’ responsibilities, and I will try to focus more on the classroom management and the cultivation of student-teacher rapport, other than the teaching tasks. It is my conviction that my fruitful experience in this international programme can equip me for becoming a better science teacher.

 

 

Sri Lanka International Practicum Adventure Programme 2025

 

Supported by the UGC Funding Scheme for Mainland and Global Engagement and Student Learning Experience, the School-University Partnerships (SUP) Office of the Faculty of Education offers the Sri Lanka International Practicum Adventure Programme 2025. The initiative aims to provide participants with a unique opportunity to develop pedagogical expertise and professional attributes through school attachment and cultural immersion in Sri Lanka.

During the programme (3-13 June 2025), the six participants were inspired and empowered both inside and outside the classroom to create positive outcomes. They expressed their gratitude for this journey of growth: they have become more confident, resilient and culturally aware. Above all, they look forward to applying what they have learnt to positively shape the schools they will serve in Hong Kong and beyond.

Find out more about the pre-service teachers’ accomplishments below and on Faculty news.

Sri 7 Photos

 

HKU Participants

Quotation marks Participating in the Sri Lanka International Practicum Adventure Programme from June 3rd to June 13th was an enriching and fruitful experience. As a pre-service teacher from Hong Kong, this opportunity allowed me to teach in a different cultural and educational setting, enhancing my pedagogical skills and broadening my perspective on global education. Through teaching, observing, and interacting with local students and teachers, I gained valuable insights into effective teaching practices, adapted to new challenges, and reflected on my personal and professional growth.
 
Throughout the programme, I was given the chance to observe my peers’ teaching. I acquired several practical teaching strategies that significantly enhanced my ability to foster an engaging and inclusive classroom environment.

Quotation marks This practicum provided profound professional inspiration. Observing students’ learning enthusiasm, resilience, and active participation within resource-limited settings significantly influenced my educational philosophy. Managing cultural differences, adapting to varied teaching environments, and addressing unexpected challenges fostered substantial personal growth, enhancing adaptability and cross-cultural competence. Professionally, this experience reinforced my commitment to physics education while highlighting the critical importance of pedagogical flexibility, clear communication, and student-centered instruction. It demonstrated that education extends beyond information transmission to encompass dynamic processes fostering understanding, curiosity, and lifelong learning engagement, customized to individual student needs and contexts. These insights from the Sri Lanka experience will fundamentally inform my approach to physics education and understanding of effective pedagogical practice in future teaching contexts.

Quotation marks The Sri Lanka International Practicum Adventure Programme offered me an invaluable teaching and learning experience. A range of teaching skills and pedagogies were learnt and practised on various occasions, including lesson teaching, peer lesson observation and reflection with Dr Leung and other student-teachers.

 

I learnt to be as adaptive as possible in a new environment. For instance, understanding students’ characteristics, learning styles and classroom behaviours so as to adjust my teaching approaches. Moreover, the cultural exchange with the locals was pleasing and delightful.

 

It has been a great time in Sri Lanka with respect to the exposure to educational, cultural and social aspects of the country. This precious teaching and learning experience would definitely enrich my personal development and facilitate my future teaching career.

Quotation marks My teaching experience in Sri Lanka was far more than fulfilling a programme requirement. It improved my professional and personal transformation. I learned invaluable lessons about student engagement beyond technology, honed essential practical skills like whiteboard organisation, and faced profound challenges that tested and ultimately strengthened my adaptability and resilience.
 
The lessons learned – about preparation, flexibility, the irreplaceable value of human interaction in learning, and the power of diverse perspectives – will resonate throughout my career. This journey hasn't just changed how I teach; it has deepened my understanding of why I teach, reinforcing a commitment to fostering curiosity and understanding in all students, regardless of the context or resources available. I am deeply grateful for this challenging, eye-opening, and ultimately rewarding experience.

Quotation marks Perhaps the most transformative constraint was the absence of technology. No interactive whiteboard, no PowerPoint animations of gas exchange in the lungs. Just a blackboard, chalk, and my own resources. Initially it was quite daunting, because this forced a return to pedagogical fundamentals. I couldn't hide behind slick slides and I had to know my material deeply and explain it clearly and dynamically. Key terms for cellular respiration were written large, connected with arrows as we discussed the process. This stripped-down approach made me realize how over-reliance on technology could sometimes dilute actual teaching. It was a powerful lesson: "Plan as if there is no tech" must be my first step in my later lesson preparation.

Quotation marks I ran a TOK [Theory of Knowledge] discussion class with 9th graders. I managed to encourage passive students to speak up and present their ideas during several discussion sessions. They learned not only the TOK content but also why it is important to be confident with their voice and opinions. Due to the limited time, I could not motivate every single student to speak up, but I was glad to see a number of students break out of their comfort zone and embrace the momentary discomfort to project their voice. I would like to train myself more on the techniques to encourage a passive student to speak in public and professionally articulate his/her ideas.

 

 

International Practicum Exchange Programme (Singapore) (2023-24)

 

The School-University Partnerships (SUP) Office is committed to facilitating international practicum opportunities for students through exchange programmes with universities across the globe. This has provided student-teachers with diverse cultural immersion experiences, allowing them to gain invaluable insights into various education systems and teaching practices worldwide.

In summer 2024, a group of our students embarked on a 4-week practicum placement in local Singaporean schools through the NIE x HKU International Practicum Exchange Programme jointly offered by HKU and NIE (National Institute of Education Singapore).

Read on to see what students said about their enriching journey of teaching and learning through the programme and on Faculty news.

 

NIE HKU 2024

Professor LO, Yuen Yi (Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching)) and SUP Director Dr LEUNG, Promail present Certificates of Completion to participants.

NIE HKU 2024 2

HKU students present souvenirs to the International and School Partnerships team at NIE.

HKU Participants

My mentors have given me valuable feedback that pushes me to reflect further on my practice and to learn from this experience to become a teacher that can teach in different contexts.
 
Through the learning of AI technologies, I explored new technologies for teaching and even learned strategies to promote self-directed learning and the efficiency of feedback-giving ... From observing different pedagogical practices, I have gained insights that will help inform me to become a better teacher in Hong Kong.

My practicum school provided me with a plethora of chances to observe, learn and teach. I had a much deeper insight in the Singaporean education system, their school culture and teaching style.
 
After this experience, I think I have become a more open-minded learner and educator. I will remember all these precious memories and invaluable knowledge and make full use of them in my next teaching practicum in Hong Kong as well as my future teaching career.

This practicum has been an invaluable learning experience that will guide and inform my future endeavours as an educator. Moving forward, I feel empowered with a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of teaching, and the importance of prioritising self-care in order to thrive in this rewarding yet demanding field. The lessons learned during this 4-week period will be instrumental in shaping my approach and mindset as I continue on my journey as a prospective teacher.

After these weeks of observation, I have realised that education is not just about teaching textbook knowledge; it also involves cultivating students’ minds and values.
 
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this international practicum programme. It has provided me with profound insights into education, such as what teaching truly means and how to encourage students to learn and strive for more … Being a teacher is challenging yet fulfilling, as it allows me to make a positive impact on students’ lives.

Overall, my international practicum in Singapore has provided me with a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and reflections. It has broadened my perspective on education, allowed me to witness a different education system firsthand.
 
The differences I observed between the education systems in Hong Kong and Singapore have not only deepened my understanding of the two systems but also presented new ideas and approaches that I can incorporate into my future teaching practice. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to applying what I have learned in my future teaching career.

This international practicum indeed has enhanced my adaptability and resilience … It also challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, embrace new experiences, and develop a more global perspective. Professionally, this practicum has expanded my teaching repertoire and provided me with practical strategies that I can implement in my future classroom.

I had the opportunity to observe and practice class management techniques. It was a valuable experience that provided me with a deeper understanding of the importance of effective class management in promoting a positive learning environment.
 
I observed that teachers are very encouraging to the students … By building positive relationships with their students, teachers can also create a positive and supportive classroom environment where students feel safe to express themselves.

Generally, I think I can develop a student-centred classroom during my teaching and can achieve what I have planned … I have used educational technology in involving students including Kahoot! games and YouTube videos which draw their attention.
 
This journey is unforgettable and precious for me to learn from Singapore education system as well as reflecting on my own education system and teaching in Hong Kong.

 

 

International Practicum Exchange Programme (Singapore) (2022-23)

 

As part of our commitment to fostering international collaboration and enhancing student experience, the SUP Office offers the NIE x HKU International Practicum Exchange Programme with NIE (National Institute of Education) in Singapore.

Our Office was delighted to see the in-person programme resume after a 3-year suspension due to the impact of Covid-19. Seven students from the Faculty embarked on a transformative learning journey where they undertook 4-week professional practicum in local schools in Singapore in July 2023.

 

Objectives of the programme:

Some of the main objectives for student-teachers include:

  1. Developing observation and reflection skills by working alongside experienced teachers in Singapore
  2. Gaining practical experiences from assisting with lesson planning, preparation of teaching materials, carrying out teaching activities, etc.
  3. Having a deeper understanding of the professional roles and responsibilities of a teacher
  4. Having an opportunity to experience a different educational system and culture, build a global mindset and form cross-cultural friendships in an international setting

 

HKU Participants

Name

Programme

Miss FANG Zhuofan, Cathrine

Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science

Mr FUNG Pak Wai, Jimmy

Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science

Mr HO Chin Wa, Alex

Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science

Miss HO Wing Yan, Lily

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in Language Education – English

Miss LAU Chung-man, Candace

Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science

Miss LEUNG Yuen Sum, Summer

Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Sciences

Mr SHUM Ting Hei, Jayden

Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science

 

Positive feedback & fruitful outcomes

A debriefing session was held at HKU with the participants and feedback was also collected via a post-practicum survey. Students found the international practicum experience enriching and meaningful. It helped them broaden their horizons and gain insights into different educational approaches, pedagogies and curricula. They also appreciated the guidance and mentorship they received from seasoned educators during their practicum, which would help equip them for their future teaching careers.

Here are some words the participants used to describe their fruitful experience:

International Practicum (in-person) word cloud image

 

NIExHKU IP exchange July 2023

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