Professional development training fulfilling the Education Bureau’s requirements for new teachers, for continuing professional development and for promotion in the area of “Learning and Teaching” in the field of English Language teaching.

We provide structured learning experiences for your primary and secondary school teachers in the general area of “Learning and Teaching”. Our training takes the form of seminars, thematic lectures, and workshops These sessions are typically completed in three hour blocks.

At this stage, our CPD learning experiences are conducted online using Zoom and are lead by Michael May (B.ES, MA ELT, DipArts). Michael has been working with English teachers and schools in Hong Kong since 2000.

Existing Professional Development Training Sessions

Below is a list of our currently available professional development sessions. We add to this list from time to time.

If you have a particular professional development need that is not covered here, get in touch with us and perhaps we can make that happen.

  • Jigsaw Classroom 1

    A three hour thematic lecture on the basics of the "Jigsaw Classroom". This pedagogy is designed to foster inquiry based learning, cooperative skills and critical thinking skills (CTS). This widely used pedagogy is suitable across the curriculum and for all ages. It is acknowledged as a particularly effective pedagogy for language teaching.

  • Jigsaw Classroom 2

    A three hour workshop in which we implement a 'jigsaw' English language lesson by building on what was learned in Jigsaw Classroom 1. We then reflect on the process and explore other skill areas this approach could be implemented for.

  • Assessment for Learning 1

    A three hour thematic lecture on the basics of Assessment for Learning. We cover what it is, why it works, and look at case studies on its use.

  • Assessment for Learning 2

    A three hour workshop in which we design and explore a lesson plan that incorporates Assessment for Learning. We reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of this approach in the Hong Kong classroom and consider how it is able to enhance performance in and complement Assessment of Learning (summative assessment).

  • Teaching Critical Thinking 1

    A three hour thematic lecture on teaching critical thinking using the "5E Instructional Model": engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate.

  • Teaching Critical Thinking 2

    A three hour workshop in which we design and detail an English language skills lesson using the 5E Instructional model. We reflect on what was done and consider how it can be incorporated in the Hong Kong teaching context.

  • Using Feedback 1

    A three hour thematic lecture on using feedback. Effective feedback is recognised as a highly effective strategy for improving student performance in all areas of English language. We look at direct and indirect feedback, and the various forms it can make: metalinguistic, recasts, focused, unfocused and so on.

  • Using Feedback 2

    A three hour workshop in which we put theory into practice. We provide written and verbal feedback on written texts, grammar exercises, spoken tasks and listening skills tasks. We reflect on the range of feedback methods available to us and consider what to use and when in the Hong Kong teaching context.

Let’s work together.

Interested in our professional development training for English teachers at your school? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!