Guidance on the other tasks of teachers

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Deliver additional supporting program to students

1. ALLP


a) Scope of application

Vinschool's Additional Language Learning Program (ALLP) is designed for new students of Vinschool, who are not able to fully satisfy the standards of the ESL stage they are placed in (based on the Placement Test results).

Students with placement test results below the expected range as referred to Vinschool’s ESL Stage Framework for School year 2022 - 2023 are encouraged to participate in the ALLP.

Further information about ESL placement for new students and Vinschool’s ESL Stage Framework can be read here.

b) Aims of ALLP

The aims of ALLP are:

  • to bridge the knowledge and skill gaps between students’ current level and the stage they are placed in
  • to support students to better deal with and respond to the challenges presented by the class they are currently enrolled in.

c) ALLP implementation guidelines

ALLP classes are organized after school hours. The number of learning hours required for ALLP varies depending on the competence gap. Within one academic year, the ALLP learning hours are specified as below:

  • If the student’s current level is one stage below the stage he/she is placed in, 30 ALLP hours is required.
  • If the student’s current level is two stages below the stage he/she is placed in, 50 ALLP hours is required.
  • If the student’s current level is at least three stages below the stage he/she is placed in, 70 ALLP hours is required.

Responsibilities of heads of departments and teachers in ALLP delivery are clarified in the guidelines which can be read here.

2. Tutoring

a) Scope of application

Tutoring classes are organized to provide support to Vinschool students who are struggling in keeping pace with learning in class. Right at the beginning of the school year, based on the result of the Diagnostic Test, in-class observations and other formative assessment data, teachers classify students into 3 different groups: Need support, Meet the stage requirements, and Exceed the stage requirements. Those belonging to the less able group will be encouraged to participate in the tutoring classes which are free of charge.

b) Aims of the tutoring program

The aim of the tutoring program is to overcome academic challenges they face in normal ESL classes. The knowledge they haven't acquired and the skills they haven’t been competent at will be consolidated and strengthened in tutoring hours.

Tutoring gives students more individualized attention, which is difficult to achieve in a crowded classroom. Being supported to keep up, students will become more confident and comfortable in their learning.

c) Tutoring implementation

Different campuses may have different schemes of tutoring and different methods of organizing tutoring classes, but the following features should be shared:

  • Tuition: Free of charge
  • Class size: It is recommended not to be over 15 students. Oversized tutoring class will decrease its effectiveness.
  • Learning content: Tutoring focuses on revisiting what they have learned or practised in normal classes instead of introducing new knowledge or skills.
  • Assessment and report: Frequent assessment is a must to make judgments on learner progress. Reports have to be made and sent to both Heads of Department and Parents.
Develop a Reading culture

Developing a good reading habit among students has been the focus of the entire Vinschool system since its inception. The goal is to instill a love for reading among Vinsers and encourage them to take the ownership on their journey of knowledge discovery. A reading policy was formulated and is reviewed annually in an endeavor to stipulate reading as a regular, required learning activity and to turn reading time into productive and fruitful learning period.


In the ESL curriculum, Extensive Reading has always been an important project which aims to strengthen students’ reading skills, encourage them to reenact their favorite books, share their understanding, and immerse in the joy of reading.


Besides books borrowed from the school’s library, a variety of virtual reading platforms are used to introduce Vinsers to the great world of books.

  • Primary: Raz Plus
  • Secondary: myOn
  • High School: CommonLit


What are the Extensive Reading requirements?

  • Primary: Students read 1-2 books per week and complete the quizzes that follow the books
  • Secondary: Students are encouraged to read books both in hard copies and on the virtual reading platform. Each semester students are expected to read at least 10 books/ texts and do at least 2 reviews on 2 books/texts they have read. To increase the reading enjoyment, students are allowed to make their own reading plan with a list of books/texts they would like to read.


How can teachers keep track of and foster students’ reading?

  • Primary: Teachers make full use of the report function of Raz Plus to check whether students have completed the assigned book of the week and whether students show any attempts to read more than what is required. Reports on reading progress and reminders of the required reading are sent to parents frequently in search of their collaboration in encouraging their children to read books.
  • Secondary and High School: Students create a reading plan, suggesting a list of books/ texts to read and when to finish each book/text. A reading log or reading diary is then made to record the reading progress. The reading log/ reading diary should not be as simple as noting down the status “Finished” or “Unfinished”, but be marked with some thoughtful responses reflecting students’ views on the book’s values or meanings. Book reviews are also part of the Extensive Reading assessment which illustrates how students relate to the books and how they show their critical thinking. Teachers frequently analyze learner progress based on the reports extracted from the virtual reading platforms. Reminders are sent on LMS to make sure that students follow well the reading plan they have made. Finally, feedback on students' reading habit is embedded in the newsletter which is sent to parents biweekly to involve them in educating students.
Collaborate with their co-teacher


1. Building and effective relationship with your co-teacher

Communication is key when sharing a class. Effective learning can only take place when co-teachers work together to deliver the course curriculum in a coherent way.

  • Get to know your co-teacher
  • Establish a communication approach: What time is best to communicate with you about our class? How should we keep in touch (Workplace chat, email…)? How would you like to be approached when a problem arises?


2. Managing the syllabus

Stage syllabi indicate how Unit lessons are allocated between co-teachers, and both teachers are responsible for ensuring:

  • continuity across schemes of work
  • a shared understanding of individual learner progress and support / stretch needs

Also, consider aligning practice in the areas listed below to help establish classroom routines and management systems and support effective learner training.

  • Classroom management systems
  • Lesson start and end routines

3. Tracking and reporting learner progress

  • Create a shared location for your Class Profile sheet so your co-teacher has easy access to your formative assessment notes.
  • Ensure all tests and assessments are completed in a timely way and that data is entered into Schools Online by the deadlines shared by your Head of Department.
  • Understand the parent communication requirements you need to meet and the communication channels you need to use to share progress updates.
  • Discuss and share students’ learning evidence with co-teachers to have a comprehensive assessment of students’ achievements.
  • Collaborate to write bi-weekly newsletters send to parents.
  • Collaborate and write comments in the report cards periodically (normally at the end of each semester).
Deliver additional supporting program to students

1. ALLP


a) Scope of application

Vinschool's Additional Language Learning Program (ALLP) is designed for new students of Vinschool, who are not able to fully satisfy the standards of the ESL stage they are placed in (based on the Placement Test results).

Students with placement test results below the expected range as referred to Vinschool’s ESL Stage Framework for School year 2022 - 2023 are encouraged to participate in the ALLP.

Further information about ESL placement for new students and Vinschool’s ESL Stage Framework can be read here.

b) Aims of ALLP

The aims of ALLP are:

  • to bridge the knowledge and skill gaps between students’ current level and the stage they are placed in
  • to support students to better deal with and respond to the challenges presented by the class they are currently enrolled in.

c) ALLP implementation guidelines

ALLP classes are organized after school hours. The number of learning hours required for ALLP varies depending on the competence gap. Within one academic year, the ALLP learning hours are specified as below:

  • If the student’s current level is one stage below the stage he/she is placed in, 30 ALLP hours is required.
  • If the student’s current level is two stages below the stage he/she is placed in, 50 ALLP hours is required.
  • If the student’s current level is at least three stages below the stage he/she is placed in, 70 ALLP hours is required.

Responsibilities of heads of departments and teachers in ALLP delivery are clarified in the guidelines which can be read here.

2. Tutoring

a) Scope of application

Tutoring classes are organized to provide support to Vinschool students who are struggling in keeping pace with learning in class. Right at the beginning of the school year, based on the result of the Diagnostic Test, in-class observations and other formative assessment data, teachers classify students into 3 different groups: Need support, Meet the stage requirements, and Exceed the stage requirements. Those belonging to the less able group will be encouraged to participate in the tutoring classes which are free of charge.

b) Aims of the tutoring program

The aim of the tutoring program is to overcome academic challenges they face in normal ESL classes. The knowledge they haven't acquired and the skills they haven’t been competent at will be consolidated and strengthened in tutoring hours.

Tutoring gives students more individualized attention, which is difficult to achieve in a crowded classroom. Being supported to keep up, students will become more confident and comfortable in their learning.

c) Tutoring implementation

Different campuses may have different schemes of tutoring and different methods of organizing tutoring classes, but the following features should be shared:

  • Tuition: Free of charge
  • Class size: It is recommended not to be over 15 students. Oversized tutoring class will decrease its effectiveness.
  • Learning content: Tutoring focuses on revisiting what they have learned or practised in normal classes instead of introducing new knowledge or skills.
  • Assessment and report: Frequent assessment is a must to make judgments on learner progress. Reports have to be made and sent to both Heads of Department and Parents.
Develop a Reading culture

Developing a good reading habit among students has been the focus of the entire Vinschool system since its inception. The goal is to instill a love for reading among Vinsers and encourage them to take the ownership on their journey of knowledge discovery. A reading policy was formulated and is reviewed annually in an endeavor to stipulate reading as a regular, required learning activity and to turn reading time into productive and fruitful learning period.


In the ESL curriculum, Extensive Reading has always been an important project which aims to strengthen students’ reading skills, encourage them to reenact their favorite books, share their understanding, and immerse in the joy of reading.


Besides books borrowed from the school’s library, a variety of virtual reading platforms are used to introduce Vinsers to the great world of books.

  • Primary: Raz Plus
  • Secondary: myOn
  • High School: CommonLit


What are the Extensive Reading requirements?

  • Primary: Students read 1-2 books per week and complete the quizzes that follow the books
  • Secondary: Students are encouraged to read books both in hard copies and on the virtual reading platform. Each semester students are expected to read at least 10 books/ texts and do at least 2 reviews on 2 books/texts they have read. To increase the reading enjoyment, students are allowed to make their own reading plan with a list of books/texts they would like to read.


How can teachers keep track of and foster students’ reading?

  • Primary: Teachers make full use of the report function of Raz Plus to check whether students have completed the assigned book of the week and whether students show any attempts to read more than what is required. Reports on reading progress and reminders of the required reading are sent to parents frequently in search of their collaboration in encouraging their children to read books.
  • Secondary and High School: Students create a reading plan, suggesting a list of books/ texts to read and when to finish each book/text. A reading log or reading diary is then made to record the reading progress. The reading log/ reading diary should not be as simple as noting down the status “Finished” or “Unfinished”, but be marked with some thoughtful responses reflecting students’ views on the book’s values or meanings. Book reviews are also part of the Extensive Reading assessment which illustrates how students relate to the books and how they show their critical thinking. Teachers frequently analyze learner progress based on the reports extracted from the virtual reading platforms. Reminders are sent on LMS to make sure that students follow well the reading plan they have made. Finally, feedback on students' reading habit is embedded in the newsletter which is sent to parents biweekly to involve them in educating students.