NET Scheme in Primary Schools

Roles and Responsibilities of the School Stakeholders

Principal

• Ensures that he/she is familiar with the objectives of the NET Scheme
• Ensures that the principles and practices as outlined in the NET Deployment Guidelines are followed
• Ensures the effective deployment of the NET through fully utilising their strengths and experience and matching them with the needs of the schools
• Ensures that adequate time is given to the SET or Coordinator to fulfill their NET Scheme duties
• Ensures that there is an effective professional partnership between the NET and the LETs
• Provides quality time, both within and outside the mainstream timetable, for the professional partnership to develop
• Supports effective school-based evaluation of the NET Scheme
• Encourages networking amongst schools where appropriate
• Adopts an open and positive attitude towards change and innovative practices in English language learning and teaching in the school
• Ensures that they are aware of the NET’s language and cultural needs during staff meetings and social functions
• Establishes communication links with the NET wherever possible
• Takes an active role in informing parents about the NET Scheme
• Attends relevant Centralised Professional Development (CPD) workshops/seminars organised by the NET Section to keep abreast of any policy and curriculum developments

English Panel Chair (EPC)

• Cultivates in the English Panel a culture of co-planning and co-teaching in English language learning and teaching
• Ensures the involvement of the whole English Panel in the NET Scheme
• Assists the NET to adapt positively to the Hong Kong working environment and the school life
• Adopts a positive and open attitude towards innovative learning and teaching strategies
• Supports collaboration in the English Panel through providing quality time for the sharing of good practices at English Panel meetings
• Attends relevant professional development activities organised and conducted by the NET Section and disseminates the information to the English Panel

Primary School Master/Mistress for Curriculum Development (PSMCD)

• Ensures that he/she is familiar with the NET Scheme
• Supports and promotes the NET Scheme
• Takes part in school-based English language curriculum development
• Attends co-planning meetings whenever possible
• Attends relevant Centralised Professional Development (CPD) seminars/workshops organised by the NET Section to catch up with the latest trend in curriculum development and disseminates ideas in school  meetings

Native-speaking English Teacher (NET)  

• Undertakes teaching duties, develops curriculum materials and implements good teaching practices
• Provides support for the English Panel
• Establishes partnership with the LETs
• Engages in co-planning and co-teaching with the LETs
• Contributes to school-based English language curriculum development and school-based professional development activities
• Develops a rich bank of resources which includes teaching plans and teaching materials
• Organises and conducts co-curricular activities related to English language learning and teaching
• Attends relevant professional development activities organised and conducted by the NET Section and disseminates the information to the English Panel
• Ensures that he/she is sensitive to the local culture, the school culture and the needs of the students in the entire learning and teaching process
• Maintains regular contact with the assigned Advisory Teacher (AT) from the NET Section

School English Teacher (SET) or Coordinator*

• Liaises with the assigned Advisory Teacher from the NET Section
• Coordinates the implementation of the NET Scheme in the school
• Serves as a bridge between the NET and the school management as well as other school teachers by keeping the NET informed of any alterations/disruptions to normal school programme and advising the NET on all relevant administrative notices/matters
• Co-plans and co-teaches with the NET and the LETs
• Works collaboratively with the NET to develop and disseminate innovative/effective teaching strategies and curriculum resources amongst teachers
• Works collaboratively with the NET on school-based English language curriculum development and the professional development of fellow English teachers
• Attends relevant professional development activities organised and conducted by the NET Section and disseminates the information to the English Panel
• Takes an active role in decision making on issues related to the NET Scheme

     * Coordinators are SETs in NET Section project schools, e.g. PLP-R/W, KIP.

LETs (Local English Teachers)

• Participate in co-planning meetings
• Co-teach with the NET and the SET
• Attend relevant professional development activities organised and conducted by the NET Section and disseminate the information to the English Panel
• Support the implementation of innovative and effective learning and teaching strategies

Note:  Local English Teachers not involved in co-planning/co-teaching with the NET will actively support and facilitate the implementation of the NET Scheme.