1. What is PAL English ? How can it improve my child's English skills? 2. What are the London Tests of English for Children (LTEfC)? How can my child participate? 3. What are the Cambridge Young Learners English Tests (YLE )? How can my child participate? 4. How can we help students improve their learning experience? 5. How do we define good English skills? 6. What is the best way to teach or improve children's language skills? 7. Learning through Play is highly regarded in modern education, especially during students'
early years. What makes it so powerful? 8. Parents know English is an important language and they wish their children will be able
to use this language proficiently. How can PAL help students to build up their confidence
in both speaking and writing? 9. How do we define an effective Multiple-Intelligences (M.I.) education? 10. What makes our PAL M.I. education unique and how does it improve children's personality
development? 11. I want to become a PAL!
What is PAL English ? How can it improve my child's English skills?
PAL English is a comprehensive and interactive language course, designed and written specifically for the needs and objectives of Hong Kong students. The curriculum has been divided into three stages and nine levels, to correspond to Kindergarten 1 to Primary 6 academic levels.
Each level is a 48-hour course, which consists of four units, each with 7 lessons, followed by an eighth session to review and consolidate the work covered during that unit. The content of this tailor-made course will be adjusted according to the needs of the students, in order to maximise each individual's needs. The course comes with differentiated activities for every lesson, so that the teacher can choose the materials, worksheets or tasks best suited to the group or individual students. It also provides supplementary materials to accommodate students who require additional classes. In this way, make-up students can complete the mandatory course-hour requirements while still maintaining a purposeful and meaningful addition to their studies.
Each segment also contains a PhonicsFocus© written into the programme . Using implicit and explicit teaching techniques, the PhonicsFocus© reviews or introduces (as necessary) single sounds and blends for the younger students and a more investigative approach to the relationship between sounds and spellings for the older students, within the context of the language and themes in use. Return to top
What are the London Tests of English for Children (LTEfC)? How can my child participate?
The LTEfC was developed by the University of London Schools Examination Board in 1982. The LTEfC are scenario based English language assessments for speakers of other language. They are designed to allow students the freedom to express themselves, to show what they can do and how well they can use English. The emphasis is on authentic and relevant situations that learners will meet, not on how well they remember particular vocabulary and structures. The tests use real-life scenarios instead of grammatical exercises and focus on a student's ability to both understand and communicate proficiently.
Our PAL English curriculum prepares student for public English-proficiency exams such as the LTEfC. Please contact our staff for information about the LTEfC and other English-proficiency exams in Hong Kong.
Return to top
What are the Cambridge Young Learners English Tests (YLE ) ? How can my child participate?
These tests are an enjoyable and non-threatening way of assessing the English of children between the ages of 7 and 12. The tests provide a gentle introduction to public exams and research shows that children find the tests highly motivating. The ability to use a variety of English structures and functions in authentic situations is assessed.
Our PAL English curriculum prepares student for public English-proficiency exams such as the YLE. Please contact our staff for information about the YLE and other English-proficiency exams in Hong Kong. Return to top
How can we help students improve their learning experience?
Students learn best when they are in a safe and relaxed environment. Return to top
How do we define good English skills?
At PAL , we believe a good command of English is the sum of clear pronunciation, clarity in speech, fluency and grammatical accuracy. Return to top
What is the best way to teach or improve children's language skills?
We believe that while at play, learning is a natural occurrence and the retention of the content is long-lasting. At PAL , our curriculum is built on meaningful play. Learning in an enjoyable environment is especially important in language acquisition in order to overcome nervousness in expressing self in a foreign language. Return to top
Learning through Play is highly regarded in modern education, especially during students' early years. What makes it so powerful?
The most important goal of this approach is the development of independent learners who are equipped with the skills and knowledge they will need for a lifetime of learning.
Especially in English language acquisition:
- Students learn best when they are not consciously learning.
- During play, learning process takes place naturally.
- By employing Native-speaking English Teachers, students are not forced to learn English; they learn it in an authentic and natural environment. Return to top
Parents know English is an important language and they wish their children will be able to use this language proficiently. How can PAL help students to build up their confidence in both speaking and writing?
- Our no-homework policy enables students to truly have a good time when they come to PAL . It is very important for learners to feel the fun and enjoyment in using the language which develops their confidence level.
- Our curriculum is based on meaningful play; students come to the lessons to play “games”. Each game has specific learning objectives that would conform to the learning outcomes of the PAL English curriculum.
- Once their comfort level is established, under our positive and encouraging guidance, fluency comes along naturally. Return to top
How do we define an effective Multiple-Intelligences (M.I.) education?
Formal schools put heavy emphasis on the development of logical intelligence and linguistic intelligence (mainly reading and writing). PAL believes education should cover more than basic language skills, mathematics and academic knowledge. Children's vision need to be cast wide in their early years to prepare them for the ever-changing and competitive environment. We want to steer them towards the right direction with good inter-personal skills and tasks management, fostering a positive attitude that leads them to a successful and abundant life. Return to top
What makes our PAL M.I. education unique and how does it improve children's personality development?
PAL places our students' emotional development at a high priority. Rather than deploying all our resources on intellectual trainings, our PAL M.I. courses are designed to be emotionally fulfilling. Students will gain a sense of achievement along with the new skills they acquired. With confidence and an open mind, a healthy personality develops naturally. Return to top
I want to become a PAL !
Trail lessons and personal introduction to our PAL courses are available. Please call us on 2802-6602 to book your appointment. Also, please refer to our section on Enrolment for more information. Return to top
