Our goal in supporting English Language Learners (ELL) is to accelerate student acquisition of the English language in order to fully access the curriculum.
Language diversity is one feature of our international culture and community at HKA. Our students represent over 40 nationalities in total, and 60% of them speak two or more languages at home. Our approach to ELL support is designed to provide additional English language instruction to students who are still in the early stages of developing English as an additional language.
As an English-medium school, we specifically assess for English proficiency during the admissions process when deemed necessary. For any students who are identified for ELL support, ELL specialists work in collaboration with classroom teachers to provide differentiated instruction in order to increase English language proficiency.
Our Approach
UNDERSTANDING WHAT ELL STUDENTS ‘CAN DO’
As a member of the WIDA International School Consortium, we build on the strengths of ELL students as they continue to acquire and develop English language skills with a strong emphasis on what they can do at each stage of their journey. At the outset, an assessment is given to understand the student’s proficiency levels in English language reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension. The ELL teacher determines the focus of student instruction and level of support required. This is based on assessments, observations, and teacher feedback. Each ELL student has an individualised learning plan. For younger children, language acquisition is best supported through in-class immersion with targeted, additional support. Older children may require more time-intensive language support.
Through the use of WIDA assessments, resources and ‘Can Do Descriptors’, we are able to measure student progress at various points in the year and adjust learning goals and instructional approaches accordingly. The outcome of our ELL support model is to exit students once they have reached levels of proficiency in English that ensure they can be independent and successful in the classroom.
Our strategy
BUILDING CAPACITY IN ALL TEACHERS
Just like we believe every teacher is an inclusive educator, we also believe that every teacher is a teacher of language. We subscribe to the philosophy that building the capacity of all teachers to support ELL students is the most effective way to meet the needs of these learners.
Our Learner Support teachers use the WIDA framework and resources to facilitate planning for and delivery of lessons that support ELL students at every grade level. Each year we offer the ‘Teaching ESL students in mainstream classrooms: Language in learning across the curriculum’ course as a part of our professional development programme. This certification provides our classroom teachers and co-teachers with valuable skills, strategies and resources they can apply in their work with ELL students across all subject areas and grade levels.
Thank you for your interest in HKA Exploration Day, registration for this event is now closed. We offer school tours Monday through Friday every week and encourage you to visit us, explore our award-winning campus, meet our faculty and learn about our unique educational programmes.
Co-curricular activity, choose from:
1) STREAM Workshop
2) Indoor Climbing
3) Football
4) Rubber Tip Archery
Thank you for your interest in HKA Exploration Day, registration for this event is now closed. We offer school tours Monday through Friday every week and encourage you to visit us, explore our award-winning campus, meet our faculty and learn about our unique educational programmes.
Thank you for your interest in HKA Exploration Day, registration for this event is now closed. We offer school tours Monday through Friday every week and encourage you to visit us, explore our award-winning campus, meet our faculty and learn about our unique educational programmes.
Thank you for your interest in HKA Exploration Day, registration for this event is now closed. We offer school tours Monday through Friday every week and encourage you to visit us, explore our award-winning campus, meet our faculty and learn about our unique educational programmes.
Thank you for your interest in HKA Exploration Day, registration for this event is now closed. We offer school tours Monday through Friday every week and encourage you to visit us, explore our award-winning campus, meet our faculty and learn about our unique educational programmes.
Day 2: Half the class come in for 1 hour 30 minutes 8am – 9:30am with the other half from 10am – 11:30am. There will be an 8:00am and 11:30am bus available.
Day 3: Half the class come in for 1 hour 30 minutes 8am – 9:30am, with the other half from 10:30am – 12noon. There will be an 8:00am and 12:00pm bus available.
Day 4: All students in, 8am – 10:30am. Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
Day 5: All students in, 8:00 – 10:30am. Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
For children applying to Grade 2 and up, current grade level will also be a factor in grade placement decisions in addition to age.
Kindergarten
Day 1: First Day of School 8am – 12noon. Students will have scheduled group sessions of 30 minutes with the teachers and parents (3 students in a group). No bus available.
Day 2: Half the class in school morning and other half in an afternoon session without parents. 8am and 3pm bus available.
Day 3: All students attend half-day 8am – 12noon (including eating snack in the classroom). Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
Day 4: All students attend half-day 8am – 12noon (including lunch at school). Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
Day 5: All students attend half-day 8am – 12noon (including lunch at school). Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
Grade Level Equivalencies
For children applying to Grade 2 and up, current grade level will also be a factor in grade placement decisions in addition to age.
For other country grade level comparison inquiries please see here or contact our admissions team.
SCHOLARSHIP
ANNUAL FUND
Donations in support of ROAD
CAPITAL PROJECTS
LEARNER SUPPORT
CLUBS
Our Secondary School students have many opportunities to pursue their interests during lunchtime and after school clubs. Faculty and staff offer a variety of activities such as Math Competitions, Young Investors Club, and Student Media Team. Students can also join student-led groups and leadership teams that are supervised by faculty. These include Action for Refugees, Project Plastic, Sai Kung Stray Friends, ImpactHK, Dragonfly Council, Student Council and GCD Student Leadership Team.
ANNUAL FUND
The Annual Fund is a general fund that supports HKA’s operational budget. Unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund help us realise additional innovative school projects not fully covered by tuition and the operational budget. Giving to the Annual Fund is a powerful way to support creative ideas and initiatives that bring HKA’s mission to life.
DONATE NOW
LEARNER SUPPORT
HKA’s Learner Support programme caters to a wide range of students with diverse learning styles and needs. Inclusive education is at the heart of our mission, and HKA’s leadership in this area is known throughout the international school community.
15% of the student body is supported by this programme.
The Learner Support programme operates on an 80% recovery model. HKA is committed to subventing the remaining 20%.
HKA’s Learner Support programme is designed to ensure that all students can thrive in our rigorous learning environment. Inclusive education is at the heart of our mission, and HKA’s leadership in this area is known throughout the international school community. The Learner Support programme operates on an 80% recovery model. HKA is committed to subventing the remaining 20%.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion includes socio-economic inclusion. Families may apply for a range of means-tested scholarships. HKA also offers financial assistance to families experiencing short-term challenges.
HKA offers scholarships at the 30, 60 and 90 percent levels.
The school will offer as much scholarship support as funding allows.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
HKA seeks to stay ahead of the curve by investing in capital projects that enhance our capitivative learning environment. We strive to implement a new learning initiative capital project, community artefact, or renovated building infrastructure on an annual basis. These multi-phased, costly projects are not included in the annual operating budget. They are critical to the long-term viability and sustainability of the school.
get involved test 3
HKA is committed to diversity and inclusion, including socio-economic inclusion. Families may apply for a range of means-tested scholarships. HKA also offers financial assistance to families experiencing short-term challenges.
HKA offers scholarships at the 30, 60 and 90% levels.
The school offers as much scholarship support as funding allows.
How to Get Here
The following information will assist you in arriving at our campus. If you have any issues while travelling, feel free to call our Main Office on 2655 1111 for more advice.
“Sai Kung Rocket”: Mong Kok <-> Sai Kung ‘red-top’ from Dundas Street
MTR & Taxi
The nearest MTR stations are Wu Kai Sha, Choi Hung or Hang Hau and all are approximately 20/25min away by taxi. Click here for an image to show the taxi driver with the school address in English & Chinese (香港新界西貢惠民路33號).
Private Car
There is no parking on campus but there are 2 public car parks, one opposite and one behind the campus.
