Course Description:

What is wrong with the way you write? How do you increase your vocabulary quickly and painlessly? What are the un-Chinese elements of English that cause problems for teachers and learners? Most importantly, how can we help you pass the LPAT and become a better teacher?

This LPAT preparation seminar has two purposes: (1) to help struggling teachers clear their professional hurdle and pass the LPAT (Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers), and (2) to use the training program as a tool to ignite teachers’ passion for English. This seminar will focus on helping teachers tackle the Writing paper, which had the lowest passing rate in 2013. (Another seminar offered later will focus on the similarly challenging Speaking paper.) The instructor is also willing to address concerns over other LPAT papers upon request.

This program has an added bonus: We are prepared to take on monolingual Chinese teachers who wish to become bilingual teachers, such that they can comfortably teach both Chinese and English subjects.

Instructor:

Mr. Philip Yeung

● B.A. (first class honors) and M.A., University of Toronto

● International Graduate Summer Program on English history and literature, Oxford University

● Training Program on Public Speaking, York University

Formerly a senior communications executive, Mr. Philip Yeung has served as a speechwriter for many university and government leaders, including the President of the HKUST and Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary. He has published articles on education and language in the South China Morning Post and has conducted a large number of writing or public speaking workshops for university students. An experienced teacher, Mr. Yeung has a proven record of success working with English teachers, through the Vocational Training Council as well as in a private capacity. In particular, he has helped teachers who failed the LPAT after four or more attempts succeed in passing after just a few coaching sessions. As someone who has studied and written about the LPAT critically, Mr. Yeung is excited to share his exam and language strategy with teachers and help them become better educators in the process.

Date & Time:

February 7 (Friday) 7:00-9:00PM

February 8 (Saturday) 10:00AM-12:00PM

February 8 (Saturday) 2:00-5:00PM

February 11 (Tuesday) 6:30-8:30PM

February 15 (Saturday) 10:00AM-1:00PM

February 15 (Saturday) 3:00-5:00PM

Venue:

Savantas Liberal Arts Academy

Room 301, Fu Fai Commercial Centre, 27 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Tuition:

$5,400 (Fee remission is available to financially disadvantaged students.)

How to apply:

Please complete and submit the online form at the very bottom of this page. The application deadline is January 27th, 2014 (Monday). Places are filled on a rolling basis. You are advised to apply early.

Topics:

● Why do we make the common errors and what they tell us about the nature of English

● The un-Chinese elements of English that cause problems for teachers and learners

● 33 things your English teachers have never told you

● How to increase your vocabulary quickly and painlessly – Word-formation in English.

● What is wrong with the way you write ? Is there a fail-safe formula for writing a high-scoring essay ?

● Small things matter in English

● Don’t be terrified by the terminology. It reveals the nature of English

● The most difficult verb in English and the problems it creates for Chinese learners

● Why do we need 8 parts of speech in English ? How to write with simplicity, variety, coherence and subtlety?

● How to analyze an essay topic and write a decent essay even when you don’t have much to say

● The 7 sins of writing an essay

● Mastering the examination strategies