Netting positive results

Students at a secondary school in Kowloon's Wong Tai Sin district are finding renewed interest in learning English.

'I've put up a sign in the hallway that tells students to think positively,' Lorraine Houlihan, a native English-speaking teacher (NET) at Tak Oi Secondary School, said.

'It's important for students to understand that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process,' the Irish teacher said.

After just two months, her students are showing progress. 'They're more willing to speak English both inside and outside the classroom. I feel they are be coming aware that errors are not the be all and end all. They're something that you make, learn from and then forget. They're a learning experience and not a cause for shame,' Ms Houlihan said.

Contrary to some media reports of NETs having a difficult time settling in, Ms Houlihan said she had the full support of everyone at the school.

'I've had total co-operation across the board - from the cleaners all the way to senior management,' she said. 'Other staff members have been very interested in what I'm doing at school and also in my general welfare.' 'They've helped me in finding an apartment and settling in. They've tak en me to Chinese medicine shops and traditional tea houses - anything that would make my experience in Hong Kong more enriching.' As Ms Houlihan sees it, however, they are only doing what seems to come naturally. 'I've never seen teachers give as much attention to their students as these people do - both inside and outside of class,' she said.