The English Language subject (commonly referred to as “English”) in Hong Kong primary schools emphasizes practical communication skills. The curriculum is structured progressively and aligns with international standards such as the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), preparing students for further education and future careers. As a core subject, it aims to develop students’ abilities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, forming a strong foundation for academic success and global communication.

1. Curriculum Objectives

• Language Proficiency: Strengthen students’ English communication skills, particularly in listening and speaking, to avoid passive “silent English” learning.
• Reading and Writing Skills: Encourage reading English books and writing various text types such as stories and letters.
• Global Perspective: Foster international awareness by learning English through exposure to global cultures.
• Smooth Transition to Secondary School: Equip students for the DSE English Language exam in secondary school.

2. Curriculum Content

The curriculum is organized around the Four Skills—Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking—and includes grammar and vocabulary building.

(1) Reading

• Text Types: Lessons use textbooks and graded readers, covering:
  • Stories (e.g., fairy tales, fables)
  • Informational texts (e.g., animals, science and technology)
  • Poems and rhymes (to develop phonemic awareness)
• Reading Strategies: Includes skimming and scanning techniques.

(2) Writing

• Basic Writing:
  • Lower Primary: Copying, sentence completion, short sentence writing.
  • Upper Primary: Paragraph writing, picture composition, letters, diaries.
• Advanced Writing (Primary 5–6):
  • Narrative writing
  • Descriptive writing
  • Argumentative writing (basic introduction in P6)

(3) Listening

• Class Activities: Listening to audio and answering questions based on:
  • Dialogues (e.g., shopping, asking directions)
  • Story comprehension
  • Following instructions (e.g., “Draw a circle”)
• Pronunciation Practice: Focus on distinguishing British and American accents, as well as linking sounds.

(4) Speaking

• Speaking Practice:
  • Lower Primary: Simple Q&A (e.g., “What’s your name?”)
  • Upper Primary: Role play and group discussions
• Presentation Skills: Older students are trained to give short presentations.

(5) Grammar & Vocabulary

• Grammar:
  • Lower Primary: Verb “to be”, present simple tense.
  • Upper Primary: Past and future tenses, comparatives.
• Vocabulary:
  • Learn 10–20 new words per week, with regular practice for consolidation.

3. Medium of Instruction

• English-Medium Teaching: English is the mandatory language of instruction for the subject, as required by the Education Bureau (EDB).
• Supportive Strategies:
  • Some schools may use limited Cantonese explanations in lower primary but gradually shift to full English.
  • Use of TPR (Total Physical Response) with actions and visuals to aid comprehension.

4. Assessment Methods

(1) School-Based Assessments

• Tests and Exams:
  • Reading comprehension (from both textbook and external texts)
  • Writing (thematic compositions, practical writing like emails)
  • Listening (audio-based questions)
  • Speaking (reading aloud, picture description, group interaction)
• Continuous Assessment:
  • Project work
  • Class participation

(2) Territory-Wide Assessments

• TSA (Territory-wide System Assessment): Required for Primary 3 and Primary 6 students to evaluate English proficiency.
• International Exams: Some schools encourage students to take Cambridge YLE tests (Starters, Movers, Flyers).

5. Teaching Materials & Resources

• Textbooks (approved by the EDB):
  • Longman Express (Pearson)
  • New Magic (Oxford University Press)
  • PLPR-W (Educational Publishing House)
• Supplementary Resources:
  • Graded readers (e.g., Oxford Reading Tree)
  • Online platforms (e.g., Raz-Kids, British Council LearnEnglish Kids)
  • Grammar workbooks (e.g., Grammar in Use – Elementary Level)

6. Bridging to Secondary School

The primary curriculum lays the foundation for secondary school English, including:

• Academic English (e.g., essay writing)
• Literature appreciation (e.g., selected Shakespeare passages)
• Critical reading (e.g., analyzing news or advertisements)

7. Recent Developments & Challenges

(1) Focus on Listening and Speaking

• The English Enhancement Scheme promotes more NETs (Native-speaking English Teachers) in schools.
• Introduction of phonics instruction to improve pronunciation and spelling.

(2) Digital Learning

• Use of interactive apps (e.g., Nearpod) and online reading platforms (e.g., Epic!).

(3) Parental Concerns

• Widening language gap: Some students fall behind due to a lack of English exposure at home.
• Cram school culture: Many students attend after-school English classes, including Kumon and Cambridge English programs.

---

📌 Disclaimer: The above information is for reference only. For the most accurate and updated curriculum details, please refer to the official Education Bureau website: www.edb.gov.hk
This article was initially drafted with AI assistance. Edited by Prof. Chan Kwok Wai. Chief Editor: Kong Yik