Thursday, 14 May 20265L Kevin Wong
On 22 April 2026, our Secondary 5 students had the opportunity to take part in an inter-school English discussion activity with students from the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School. The activity aimed to help students from both schools better prepare for the HKDSE group discussion environment by interacting with peers from different backgrounds. At the same time, it provided a valuable chance for mutual learning and exchange.
The activity was divided into two sessions. In each session, students from both schools were mixed into groups to encourage interaction and exchange of ideas. Despite a long day of lessons, our students participated with great enthusiasm, though some also felt a sense of nervous excitement.
During the first discussion, as students were unfamiliar with one another, some felt a little shy at the beginning. However, as the discussion progressed, the atmosphere gradually became more supportive and friendly. By the second session, students were more comfortable with one another, allowing them to express their ideas more naturally and confidently.
After the two rounds of practice, the teachers provided constructive feedback. They highlighted areas such as making smoother transitions, avoiding overly casual language, and using verbal and non-verbal communication effectively.
This activity was more than just a speaking exercise. It was an opportunity for students to step out of their comfort zones and engage with others in English. More importantly, it helped them realise that making mistakes in front of new people is a natural and essential part of the learning process. Our students gained confidence – not because they spoke perfectly or presented magnificent ideas, but because they communicated with confidence and pride.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the teachers from both schools for organising this meaningful activity despite various challenges. We hope that there will be more opportunities in the future for students to interact with peers from different schools and continue to hone their skills across various academic fields.
