Net Scheme at Canossa School

The Primary Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme introduced in the 2002/03 school year has come into full implementation for a few years. Each Primary NET will work in partnership with experienced English language teachers of the schools assigned. In addition to undertaking teaching duties to provide students with an authentic English learning environment, they will also help develop school-based teaching strategies and curriculum materials, and contribute to the professional development of fellow teachers.

The Scheme was introduced to support and strengthen English language learning and teaching in one form or another by

• developing innovative learning and teaching methods, materials, curricular and activities suited to the needs of local students;
• providing an authentic environment for children to learn English and develop their confidence in using English for communication;
• promoting the professional development of local teachers;
• encouraging effective networking amongst schools when appropriate;
• disseminating good practices in language learning and teaching developed within the scheme through regional teacher development .....programmes such as experience-sharing seminars/workshops and networking activities.
• working with local teachers to find opportunities for students to learn English through different experiences.
• providing support for the English Panel.
• acting as an advisor on language learning and teaching and as a language resources person.
• assisting the local teachers in organizing activities using English such as assemblies, singing, poetry reading, drama, play reading, verse .....speaking, competitions, games and quizzes.

This year, we have two NET teachers in our school. Mr Brownie works with children at the P.1, P.5 and P.6 levels. Mr Buxton works with the children at the P.2, P.3 and P.4 levels.
With the P.1 to P.3 classes the focus is to teach the children to read in English by using shared reading, big books, reading skills, reading activities, word recognition and phonics. Our main activity is shared reading. All of the children use the same reader, initially introduced by the teacher, to learn new vocabulary, sentence structure/patterns and other reading skills. The teacher introduces each story and questions the students about what they can see in the pictures, talks about the characters, identifies the sentence structure, demonstrates expressive reading and asks the children to predict possible outcomes for the story. At this stage we also identify new phonic sounds or blends of letters and encourage the children to give examples of similar sounds. We also use songs to reinforce ideas from the stories and increase the student's confidence.

The lessons with P.4 to P.6 classes usually involve activities that are directly linked to the current theme of the English textbook. During this time we try to enhance the theme by adapting sections of the textbook and encouraging the students to participate in a variety of oral activities. The purpose of the lessons with P.4 to P.6 students is to try and get the students to respond in English in a natural and authentic way. Through our activities, hopefully, every student can learn to take part and make some contribution. Our aim is to increase the confidence of each student when learning English.

Geoff Brownie NET Teacher

Welcome back to all the students, especially the new P.1. students who have just arrived at Canossa School. It is great to see so many happy faces and students who seem really keen to make a good start to this school year.

Every time I meet our new P.1. students, I am impressed with their English skills. Many are extremely confident and can take part in a normal simple conversation! Thanks to all the parents and others who have helped to get them ready for their first year of school.

Once again, I am teaching all of the students in P.1., P.5. and P.6. I spend one or two lessons a week with each class. At the P.1. level, the focus is on introducing children to read in English. This means learning to recognize sounds within words, getting clues from pictures, guessing what will happen in a story, comprehension skills, sharing our reading and hopefully enjoying reading in English.

With the P.5. and P.6. classes the focus is more on Oral skills. Speaking confidently, clearly and making good sense are key parts. Being prepared for an interview in English is an important part of the work for P.6., while being able to talk about themselves, and describe people, happenings and objects accurately are the targets with P.5.

This year we will continue to have our English Day on Tuesdays, when we will organize activities in the playground for every student. Please encourage your children to make the most of these opportunities to use and improve their English skills. It is particularly good to have Mr. Buxton working here full-time sharing the teaching and the time we have with the students. This means of course that the children now have twice as many opportunities to talk with ‘a native English speaker’!

I am looking forward to an exciting year where our students continue to grow in confidence, always ready to find time to learn and use English.

G.P.Brownie

NET NEWS October 2008

This is my second year teaching at Canossa School, and I am so happy to be able to stay here for another two years, thanks to the parents and the teaching staff who have both supported me.

I am teaching the same levels as last year P2, P3 and P4 and I'm very excited about this academic year and watching the children develop even more.

Over the past year I feel I have built up a good relationship with the children at Canossa. Whether it has been in the classroom, before school, during recess or during lunchtime, I have made myself accessible to them, so they can come and and speak to me. The English Room is open during all these times for the children to come and play games and practice their English skills in a stimulating English environment. This year we will show videos and sing songs during recess to create an even richer environment for the children to be exposed to English.

My work with P.2.this year is focused on developing reading skills as part of the whole English language programme. I will be reading big books with the children, teaching them new vocabulary and also helping them develop their phonics. I hope that you the parents will be supportive and help develop your own child's English skills by asking them what they have been learning in their English lessons. Showing support and interest is a key factor in developing English in young children.

In P.3. and P.4.the focus is on reading skills and oral presentations. Reading skills are very important in developing English, especially when recognizing words. With oral presentations, we hope to prepare the children for their TSA's in P3, and to help build their confidence and fluency when speaking English. My method of teaching I like to think, is a fun and interesting one, which helps capture the children's imagination and helps them become more involved in their work. I have designed even more interactive Power Point presentations for them to read and learn from this year. I find that the children really get excited when reading my PowerPoint's and this makes me so happy.

Finally I'd just like to say how proud I am to work at this school and it's the children that make it brilliant, they have such a positive attitude to learning, and I feel that the teachers here also have a great attitude to teaching the students.

Mr K. S. Buxton