Dynamic Enrichment Learning Mode: A new way to facilitate the learning of Chinese as a second language in the mainstream curriculum

Abstract

In Hong Kong, the issue of teaching Chinese as a second language (CSL) to school children is receiving considerable attention in recent years due to the trending proportion of CSL students in classrooms. While the Hong Kong Government encourages the integration of these students into mainstream schools in which the medium of instruction is predominately Chinese, the inadequate support provided put these school aged children in a disadvantaged position. Since there is a gap in Chinese proficiency levels between CSL and native Chinese speaking (CS) children in the classroom, their academic achievement often lag behind their Chinese counterparts not only in the learning of Chinese, but also other learning areas like thematic learning, early mathematics and science, which are taught in Chinese. In light of this, there is a need of developing effectual interventional strategies to support the CSL learning of these students at pre-school, primary, and secondary levels.