H.K.T.A.Y.Y.I. Chan Lui Chung Tak Memorial School
31/01/2019
Overthrowing traditions and revitalising teaching (31/01/2019)
Less instruction and more observation Let students take the lead in training （Updated on 15/04/2019）
Breaking the old framework to partner students every step of the way（Updated on 09/07/2019）
Overthrowing traditions and revitalising teaching (31/01/2019)
Wade Chan started his career as a teacher at Hong Kong Taoist Association Chan Lui Chung Tak Memorial School (CLCTS) ten years ago after graduating. Since then, he has also been a part of the school’s football team. Having been raised with a more traditional, exam-oriented type of education, Wade is determined to break free from this mould, and hopes that through participating in the JC School Football Development Scheme, he can to make a change to the current teaching and coaching approach, and inspire students with new ideas while achieving self-enhancement.
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CLCTS teacher Wade Chan is an amateur footballer who played in the Hong Kong Third Division League and two futsal tournaments at the Hong Kong Games.
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Wade thinks the traditional training model is dull and ineffective.
Wade played in Hong Kong Third Division League and futsal tournaments at the Hong Kong Games. From a young player and student to now being a coach and teacher, he has been deeply influenced by the traditional exam-oriented education model. “We execute instructions given by teachers and coaches. Students have no problem to manage exams through such learning, but when theories in textbooks do not work in practice, they are incapable in solving problems and tend to rely on teachers. They lack independent judgment.” Wade added that with the traditional way of coaching, the players only need to follow the coaches instructions. They tend to finger-point and lack team spirit, which contributes to low training efficiency and the slow development of students. He is determined to turn the situation around.
After only a few theory and practice sessions, Wade was struck by the Manchester United Soccer Schools’ approach: “Christopher O’Brien (OB), Head of Manchester United Soccer Schools Hong Kong,” believes that we should give the reins to the players and introduce creativity, imagination and joy into the trainings. This will enable players to be willing to complete the tasks given to them”. Comparing this new approach with the traditional way, Wade introspected: “Children are full of creativity. Why don’t we teachers try giving them fewer instructions and listen to them first, then assist them on the key points.”
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As part of his reformation, Wade decided to cast aside the traditional approach and inject a joyful atmosphere in team trainings. He hopes to see CLCTS students become self-motivated and devoted to the training so that they can achieve their goals.
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After joining the Scheme, Wade (centre) has learnt to listen to students’ opinions and to let students take the lead in training.
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” This quote from OB has lessened Wade’s burden as a teacher – now he listens to the students more and gives them fewer commands. In doing so, he believes that the students will flourish in the long run.
Less instruction and more observation Let students take the lead in training （Updated on 15/04/2019）
The HKJC School Football Development Scheme has inspired Wade to put children at the heart of his teaching. During the second school visit, Wade changed his role a bit by leaving the field to the students, while he took a step back and simply observed.
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Wade (middle) let go of his burden as a teacher and allowed the students to take the lead in training.
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Students were happier and more engaged, as they have more time to play football and the training approach has become more diversified.
Mok Hoi-chau, a Primary Four student who has been in Wade’s PE class since Primary One, is a member of the school’s football team. Knowing Wade for few years now, Mok Hoi-chau said he is both a mentor and a friend with whom he can share everything. That said, he thinks Wade tends to offer more instruction and advice than the students need. After attending the training by Manchester United Soccer Schools, Mok Hoi-chau noticed a change in Wade, both in his personality and in his way of teaching. This has given him and his teammates a brand new training experience: “Coach Chan finally let go and now allows us to make new attempts. We enjoy more freedom and a longer time playing football. The new equipment has also made the training more diversified; for example, by introducing teamwork activities, it encourages more interaction among teammates. We are happier and more engaged, and our team has better collaboration.”
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Mok Hoi-chau (right) noticed that Wade has changed in terms of his personality and teaching approach, and this has made training a more refreshing experience.
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Students hope Wade can continue to apply what he has learnt, and that he continues to be friendly and listen to them.
Mok Hoi-chau started playing football in kindergarten, and playing football every weekend on nearby pitches has now become a habit: “If I don’t play football, I might just stay at home playing online games all day long.” Mok Hoi-chau is thankful for Wade and the school’s football team, both of which have given him different life experiences by introducing him to more friends and allowing him to practice the art of interacting with people. He believes Wade’s approachable personality has been the key to revitalising his way of teaching: “I hope Coach Chan can keep being friendly and allow us to continue to enjoy playing. I also hope he can maintain this new training approach, and will keep trying to understand how we think and feel.”
At the third school visit, we will learn how Wade evaluates the Scheme in terms of how it has changed him and his students, as well as how he evaluates the results of the Scheme.
Breaking the old framework to partner students every step of the way（Updated on 09/07/2019）
At the third school visit, Wade and OB turned the Lei Yue Mun Playground into a Manchester United Soccer Schools’ training ground in order to give the students the best possible experience. At the start of the school year, Wade had set the goal of challenging and changing “traditional teaching methods and football training models”. Throughout the process, it became clear that he began to talk less and give fewer commands in favour of more encouragement and cheers. The students’ laughter began to ring out; and as Wade discovered how to be more of a partner to them, his ability to lead them vastly improved.
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Wade（right） and OB（left） turned the playground into a Manchester United Soccer Schools’ training ground.
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Wade has discovered another side to the students.
“It turns out that our suggestions and help – no matter how well-intentioned – would often impede their growth. Instead, when appropriate, we should let the students solve whatever problems they are facing themselves.” Wade spoke from the heart as he shared his feelings about taking part in the programme; and how by spending more time observing, his patience has not only improved, but he has also discovered another side to the students: “This year, the biggest change has been to give the students more time to play mini-games. They have the power to decide how they want to play, and they even set the rules. In the process of doing so, they will of course encounter difficulties; but at the same time, they’ll learn to think for themselves and discuss how to solve the problems they face. In this way, they’ll gradually become less dependent on my instructions, and will strengthen their problem-solving skills and be more flexible in adapting to changes.”
Wade pointed out that OB and Manchester United’s “Play to Learn” concept is like a test for the students. He said: “What children don’t like to play – and don’t love playing in a game?” Compared to the old model of instruction, we now let them play first, and then we add just the right amount of appropriate exercises. The results couldn't be better.
As a coach, Wade understands that the children still need assistance and support. He said: “Because their ability to adapt to changes has improved, I’m able to let them take the lead in practice and shoulder the consequences of their decisions; however, during games, I’m still not able to completely let go. During free time, I still need to give them specific instructions.”
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The students’ laughter began to ring out after Wade decided to talk less and give fewer commands in favour of more encouragement and cheers.
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After going through the programme, Wade is gone from being the students’ leader to being their partner.
With so many activities in the programme, Wade is able to maintain a very high attendance rate at practices. Add in his diligent and eager attitude, and one can understand why he was given the “Work Hard” award. This coach who is both a player and excellent instructor said that he would work harder to implement what he has learned, and that he would apply it to the whole team to help them all progress. “There are some students whose personalities are more like “Little Masters” – they have difficulties in working with others. Of course, if they are able to improve on their own, that would be ideal. As a coach, I’ll intervene at appropriate moments and encourage them to do better.”
After going through the programme, Wade decided to abandon the traditional model and go in the direction of the new concepts. As a result, he’s gone from being the students’ leader to being their partner, and has broken through the old framework to welcome in every challenge that comes his way in future.
