EDB Professional Development Workshop Learning English Through Social Issues

1. EDB Professional Development Workshop Learning English Through Social Issues English Language Centre (ELC) City University of Hong Kong

2. Essentials of LESI 1 of 8 Elective Modules in New Secondary School (NSS) English Language Curriculum S5 level Suggested time: 33.3 hours (approximately 50 forty-minute periods)

3. Learning Outcomes To develop learners� ability to use English to: understand a variety of written and spoken texts understand how a SI may be defined, analysed, perceived, researched and presented analyse texts on SIs in order to understand their structural and linguistic features identify and define problems from gathered information, consider related factors, draw conclusions, explore options and solutions, and justify views or arguments develop and refine ideas plan, organise and carry out presentations on particular issues

4. Relationship with Compulsory Component Complementing modules in the compulsory part: Cultures of the World Travelling Customs, Clothing & Food Nature & Environment Environmental Protection Resource and Energy Conservation The Individual & Society Crime Human Rights Communicating The Media and Publications International Networks Technology Changes brought about by Technology A holistic approach is suggested when planning the English Curriculum to ensure recycling of language skills and general knowledge.

5. Content: Part 1 Suggested time: 22 periods To present the idea of SIs & how they relate to society & the world Learners practise reading, identifying, and writing definitions, causes and effects, and solutions to SIs For more advanced learners there is an extra unit on examining an issue from various perspectives

6. Content: Part 2 Suggested time: 16 periods To introduce the concepts of researching & investigating a SI Learners practise researching a SI beyond the typical means like websites and the library (i.e. conduct observations, interviews, surveys) Learners practise evaluating information from different sources and acknowledging these sources

7. Content: Part 3 Suggested time: 12 periods To provide a relevant context (i.e. Social Awareness Week) for display of learners investigation results and opinions Learners present information & opinions on SI in 2 pieces of work (1 in written, 1 in spoken form)

8. Assessment �Students should be encouraged to keep a folder for this module which will serve as a record of their learning. The folder may comprise all the assignments, both oral and written, the students have done for the module. Students are also encouraged to reflect on and monitor their own learning process, and teachers will provide them with feedback and assistance where necessary.� EDB�s suggested Scheme of Work for LESI

9. Assessment Continued A range of written and oral activities can be used for assessing student performance For example: quizzes, paragraph writing exercises on definitions / causes / effects / solutions, questionnaires, argumentative essays, letters to the editor, editorials, pamphlets, fact sheets, group discussions, debates, speeches, interviews, role-plays, skits In addition to being done at the end of the module, assessment can be done throughout the course

10. Assessment (HKDSE)