Please scroll down for English

新聞稿                                                                      2019年5月10日

耀中幼教學院培育幼教新生代
獎學金資助有志者加入幼兒教育行列 五位幼教界生力軍現身說法

Online version: http://www.public.seedland.hk/press/YCCECE/1903-Scholarship/
Press release and Photos: Click Here (OneDrive) or Download (Zip)

研究指出,零至八歲是幼兒發展最重要階段,身負重任的幼兒教育工作者,深明「三歲定八十」的道理,自小培養小朋友對學習的興趣,為日後的成功奠定基礎,工作殊不簡單。本地幼兒教育翹楚耀中教育機構,多年來為社會栽培未來主人翁,並成立耀中幼教學院,為亞洲首間專門提供幼兒教育培訓之高等教育院校,提供包括幼兒學文憑、幼兒教育高級文憑及幼兒教育(榮譽)學士學位的課程,配合不論在質與量方面皆領先同儕的實習機制,以及提供多項獎學金,培訓幼教專才,延續耀中逾86年的輝煌歷史。於耀中幼教學院接受培訓的準幼兒教育專家對教育充滿熱誠,期待以專業知識及創新思維,為幼兒教育界注入新能量。

施嘉麗
幼兒教育(榮譽)學士一年級生

施嘉麗完成社會科學副學位後,立志於社福機構工作、促進兒童福祉。為了加深對幼兒的認識,於是入讀耀中幼教學院攻讀幼兒教育(榮譽)學士課程,並榮獲入學獎學金。嘉麗表示:「耀中幼教學院最吸引我的,包括全英語教學環境,而且畢業時即可取得到四個專業資格,課程的實習經驗亦是同類學府中最完善的。」

課程中最令她引頸以待的,莫過於合共16週的實習:在國際、本地幼稚園和特殊學習需要(SEN)的學校進行共八週的跨環境實習,加上另外八週的高階實習,讓學生得以累積寶貴實戰經驗。「我十分期待於實習期間親身經歷課室內一整天與孩子的互動、工作與課室管理。愛做義工的我希望在自己設計的教案中加入做義工的元素,例如邀請家長與孩子進行社區探訪,自小培養孩子們的同理心,以歡樂笑聲促進社會關懷。」

陳嘉盈
2018 幼兒教育高級文憑畢業生

熱愛舞蹈的陳嘉盈現於幼兒體適能運動中心教授兒童舞蹈班,希望透過修讀學院的課程,增進專業知識及技能。嘉盈向來支持創新教育,因而十分享受在學院別開生面的上課模式:「學院師資優良,每位均為來自世界各國的資深幼教教育工作者,除了擁有專業知識之外,更着重透過小組討論及模擬演習等互動教學,教導我們摒除傳統框框、團隊合作及在課室內運用創意的重要性。我很感激老師們訓練我們事事抱着好奇的心,對新科技及不同的教學方式等新穎概念持開放態度,務求為學生提供最合適及最理想的教育。」

除了平衡緊湊的上班時間表與課堂之外,嘉盈亦積極留意幼教界的最新發展,2017年她榮獲外展體驗獎學金的贊助,得到前往菲律賓參加研討會的機會,通過體驗及交流,開拓視野,鞏固她服務幼兒教育界的決心及信心。她的目標是設計一個糅合個人經驗的專門幼兒課程,包含表演藝術、音樂、舞蹈及幼兒體育發展,並將其普及化,為孩子提供與別不同及更多元化的教育體驗。

鄧蔚琳
2016 幼兒教育高級文憑畢業生

鄧蔚琳自六歲起便立志成為幼兒教師。她表示:「耀中幼教學院提供全英語教學的環境,並以小組教學模式上課,師生關係緊密,對在美國長大的我非常合適。」

蔚琳認為耀中幼教學院優良的師資及緊密的師生關係是讓她能以優異成績畢業並計劃未來持續升學之路的最重要因素。「我在中學時對學習的興趣不大,入讀耀中幼教學院之後卻經歷180度轉變。老師們會主動了解我們的學習需求,亦師亦友,小班教授亦促進學習效能,讓我們在一個充滿關愛的校園中進步及成長,讓我重燃對學習的興趣,發揮最好的表現。」蔚琳最終以優異成績畢業,並榮獲展毅獎學金,重拾兒時夢想,成為專業幼教工作者。蔚琳於實習時因表現優異,已獲本地一所著名國際幼稚園受聘,現已完成幼教學士學位的她正式於該幼稚園展開其職業生涯。她希望於未來照顧更多有特殊學習需要的學生,投放更多時間聆聽他們的需要,讓他們在學習環境中感受到安全及支持。

Jaswinder Pal Kaur
幼兒教育高級文憑一年級生

 

已有超過十年義工經驗的Jaswinder表示:「我十分感激利銘澤黃瑤璧慈善基金鼓勵非華語學生升學及進修。此項計劃大大減輕我學費上的負擔,讓我能在無需兼職工作的情況之下專注學業,亦正好切合我參與義工活動以及推廣印度文化的興趣。計劃申請人需進行20小時的社區服務,而我其中一項的服務便是在學院開放日期間舉辦Henna手繪工作坊。」

香港在過去百多年來,一直是一個多元文化社會,而學院正正是社會的縮影——致力推動種族及文化共融的學院,除了讓Jaswinder實現晉身幼兒教育的志願之外,校園的多元文化亦讓她容易融入校園生活:「學院與學生會時常舉辦不同活動,如民族日與才藝表演,讓學生有機會與來自不同文化背景、志同道合的同學互相認識及交流。譬如我之前在才藝表演之中表演印度舞,同學們均樂在其中。」

Shrijana Gurung
2018年幼兒教育高級文憑畢業生

來自尼泊爾的Jana曾目睹不少孩子缺乏優質教育,令她決心成為一位幼稚園教師。

2017年夏天,Jana報名參加了學院的外展計劃,到尼泊爾一間學校義教。作為才藝發展獎學金得主,她以部分的獎學金購買教材,並向該所學校捐款。抵達學校後的氣氛頗為緊張,因為當地的教學方式以老師主導,比較嚴肅及傳統,對「遊戲中學習」的教學模式十分陌生,校長甚至認定她無法好好管理課堂秩序。直至第三天的上課天,全校老師均到她的課室觀課,而校長亦很嚴肅地詢問她打算如何管理課堂,當時她很悠然自信地慢慢道出教案。當她把簡單的指令與以回收物料製成的簡單玩具帶進課室,看到小朋友的笑臉,老師們與校長均十分訝異於這些截然不同的教學方式竟能有效教導小朋友新知識,標誌着Jana最終以「遊戲中學習」的教學模式改變了他們對教育的既有觀念。

「十分感激耀中幼教學院,除了優質的幼教訓練,更為我提供獎學金,讓我能在無後顧之憂的情況下接受教育。我的志願是回尼泊爾推廣幼兒教育,是次義工亦可以算是達成部分心願。」時至今日,該校仍與Jana保持聯絡,老師們有時候更會就一些課堂活動向她諮詢。Jana希望日後有機會回到這所學校,以及尼泊爾其他學校,把在耀中所學到的知識帶到香港以外的地方,與教師們進行專業交流,讓更多孩子受惠。現時Jana於一所多元文化的本地幼稚園擔任老師,累積教學經驗的同時,繼續實踐她推廣優質幼兒教育的抱負。

獎學金資助有志者加入幼兒教育行列

除了政府資助外,耀中幼教學院為鼓勵有志者加入幼兒教育的行列,設立了不同類型的獎學金及助學金,嘉許成績優異及協助受經濟負擔影響的學生繼續升學。其中,利銘澤黃瑤璧慈善基金非華語學生獎學金為有志成為出色幼教專才的非華語學生而設,第一代大學生獎學金則資助來自基層家庭首代入讀大學的學生,學生亦可在透過過往就讀的院校的校長推薦,申領校長推薦計劃獎學金。

耀中幼教學院校長沈雪明教授表示:「耀中幼教學院一直緊貼社會需求及行業最新發展,不斷修訂課程內容及配套,裝備學生實踐理想,回饋社會。建基於社會對嬰幼兒及特殊教育教師的需求持續增長,於學院修讀幼兒教育學士學位課程的學生,於三年級可因應個人目標及興趣,專修嬰幼兒教育或特殊教育需要兩大範疇。學院亦就這兩項重點範疇特設獎學金,鼓勵學生修讀相關專修課程,提高專業能力,成為新一代幼教專家。」

與此同時,各界的捐款將有助本院學生接受專上教育,發展成具創意且經驗豐富的幼兒專家,以專業貢獻社會。

 

有關耀中幼教學院 YCCECE 
耀中幼教學院(YCCECE)成立於2018年6月,前身為耀中社區書院,由非牟利團體耀中教育機構於2008年成立。社區書院的成功升格,不僅鼓舞了盡心盡力培育幼師的教職員,更印證着耀中超過86年來致力推廣優質幼兒教育的豐碩成果。耀中幼教學院旨在培養充滿熱情和勇於創新的幼兒教育者,並盼他們不斷改進、尋求突破,引領業界跨越新領域,務求成為香港,以至亞太地區的幼兒教育樞紐。耀中幼教學院由本地及國際幼教專家掌舵,並配備多元文化及聞名國際的教學團隊。耀中幼教學院提供多元文化及全英語學習環境,以配合來自不同社經文化背景的本地和海外學生的教育需求,培育具備國際視野的幼兒教育專才。耀中幼教學院開辦幼兒教育(榮譽)學士學位、幼兒教育高級文憑課程以及幼兒學文憑課程。耀中幼教學院更竭誠為社區服務,並樂於與幼教界人士、家長與照顧者合作,並為幼教理念提供良好的實踐空間。因此,學院成立了耀中幼教發展中心(YCECDC),為幼兒教育從業者、家長及與照顧幼兒的人士提供各項互動專業發展課程。耀中幼教學院喜獲城中一慈善基金慷慨捐贈港幣4,000萬元,捐款將用於成立耀學園Discovery Space以及學院的其他項目。耀學園Discovery Space將於2019年6月正式開幕,為來自不同階層的零至八歲兒童及家長或其照顧者提供具啓發性的多元活動空間,讓孩子體驗遊戲中學習。

發稿:耀中幼教學院 
代行:一口田有限公司 
電話:3583 3100                傳真:3583 1331                電郵:info@seedland.hk

如欲查詢詳情、索取照片或安排專訪,歡迎致電9534 0813或電郵至 helena@seedland.hk 與Ms Helena Hui聯絡,或致電3583 3300/6698 2252或電郵至 anne@seedland.hk 與Ms Anne Fung聯絡。

 

Press release                                                              10th May 2019

Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education brings a new generation of early childhood educators

Online version: http://www.public.seedland.hk/press/YCCECE/1903-Scholarship/
Press release and Photos: Click Here (OneDrive) or Download (Zip)

Countless research studies have shown that the ages between zero and eight are crucial for child development, so no doubt early childhood educators have immense impact on the shaping of young minds. As pioneer and leader in early childhood education (ECE), Yew Chung Education Foundation (YCEF) has not only nurtured tens of thousands of children, but has also established the Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education (YCCECE), Asia’s first specialist institute in ECE. To date, it offers a series of certificates including Diploma in Early Childhood Studies (DECS), Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education (HDECE) and Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Early Childhood Education (BEdECE). With unique curricula and scholarships suitable for interested students from all walks of life, YCCECE comes from a proud legacy of cultivating meaningful early childhood education for over 86 years. Students of YCCECE are passionate and innovative, and they are trained to be future ECE experts equipped with professional skillsets and a creative mind-set that will revolutionise the local ECE environment.

Kay Sze
BEdECE (Hons) Year 1

Upon completion of her Associate Degree in Social Sciences, Kay wanted to devote herself to bringing positive change to children. Hence, she began her journey at YCCECE and was awarded the Entrance Scholarship for the Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Early Childhood Education programme. Kay said, “I want to enrol into YCCECE as the classes are taught in English. Students earn all four ECE qualifications upon graduation and it teaches practical skills. The programme it offers is the most comprehensive among other similar options.”

Of the entire programme, she is most fascinated by the upcoming 16 weeks of practicum experience, where she will gain hands-on experience across all ECE settings through her placements in International and local kindergartens as well as Special Education Needs (SEN) settings for a total of eight weeks then yet another eight weeks of “Advanced practicum” in Year 3. “I am looking forward to putting my knowledge into practice and learning more about classroom management. Since I am an avid volunteer, I hope I could instil a sense of empathy in my teaching plans by, for instance, inviting parents to participate in community work that is fun for them and helpful to others.”

Briella Chan
2018 HDECE Graduate

As a dance tutor at a children’s fitness centre, Briella hoped the College could top-up her professional skillsets. She has always been open-minded to alternative teaching methods and appreciated the college’s extraordinary ways of education. “Teachers at YCCECE are highly qualified and well-experienced ECE practitioners who possess not only professional knowledge but also practical know-how. They encourage us to think outside the box and hone our abilities to work as a team via interactive exercises like group discussions and demonstrations. The classroom should be a creative space, a canvas on which we can paint a better future for our children. I am truly grateful for teachers who incessantly encourage us to remain curious and open-minded to new technologies and unconventional teaching approaches that help us when it comes time to craft programmes that best suit our students’ needs.”

Despite her packed working schedules and classes, Briella keeps abreast of the ECE latest developments: in fact, she attended an international ECE conference in 2017 thanks to the sponsorship of the Reaching Out Award scheme. She said the experience and intellectual exchanges with other ECE experts have not only broadened her horizons, but she is now more confident and determined in pursuing a career in ECE. Briella’s next plan is to apply her ECE knowledge in her own programmes that encompasses performing arts, music, dancing, and childhood physical development. She hopes that her programme will be popular among children of all needs in the future.

Vivian Tang
2016 HDECE Graduate

To be an ECE teacher has been the dream of SPSS Endeavour Award recipient Vivian since she was six years old. “I was raised in the States and the College is a perfect fit for someone who shares a similar background as me since its classes are taught in English. Besides, small class sizes mean our groups – whether among students or teachers – are very close-knit.”

Vivian attributed her high grades to an excellent teaching platform and intimate teacher-student relationships. “I did not enjoy learning during my secondary school years. However, the teachers from YCCECE did a remarkable job in inspiring and motivating us to do well. They truly brought out the best in me.”  Vivian was eventually employed by a renowned international kindergarten whilst she was completing her internship there, finally realising her childhood dream. She hopes to empower more children with special educational needs and create a favourable learning environment for every child.

Jaswinder Pal Kaur
HDECE Year 1

 

As an esteemed volunteer for more than a decade, Jaswinder admits that her proudest moment was when she received the Drs. Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation Scholarship for Non-Chinese Speaking Students, which supports this minority to become an ECE practitioner. “The scholarship has eased my financial burden, so I could focus on my studies without worrying about tuition. It has also offered support for my volunteer work and the promotion of Indian arts and culture. For example, I initiated a Henna workshop during the College’s open day.”

Hong Kong is a melting pot of cultures, a virtue the College, too, actively promotes. YCCECE’s culturally diverse campus offers the perfect environment for Jaswinder’s pursuit of her career in ECE. “Both the school and the Student Association devote their time in hosting a wide range of student activities, such as Multicultural Day and the YCCECE Talent Show, in which I performed Indian dance on stage. These encounters brought like-minded students from different cultural backgrounds together.”

Shrijana Gurung
2018 HDECE Graduate

The tragic number of Nepalese children deprived of education during their developmental years was motivation for Jana to pursue a career in ECE.

With the help of the College’s Outreach Scheme and the SPSS Talent Development Scholarship, Jana undertook a challenging programme in the summer of 2017. She returned to Nepal to work as a full-time teacher, during which she purchased her own teaching materials for the class and donated part of her scholarship to the school she served. The trip had a rough beginning as Nepalese students are accustomed to authoritative, strict and rigid teaching styles while local teachers are unfamiliar with the concept of learning through play – so much that the principal accused Jana for failing to manage her classroom. On the third day, when the teachers gathered at her classroom for a class observation, she calmly and confidently carried out different play-based class activities according to her teaching plan despite the principal’s criticisms. At the end, the principal and teachers were thoroughly impressed at how the children in Jana’s class could benefit from such novel methods and from teaching kits and toys made merely out of recycled materials.

“I always wanted to return to Nepal to promote the importance of quality ECE and this trip has been a big step forward. I am beyond grateful for the valuable training offered by the College and the scholarship that allowed me to continue my studies.” Jana is still in contact with the school in Nepal, and the teachers would seek her advice on class activities. She plans to visit the school again soon, as well as reaching out to other schools in Nepal to continue her mission. Jana is currently teaching at a multicultural local school to hone her teaching skills.

Scholarships and aids to help the next generation become professional early childhood educators

To attract more passionate candidates to join the ECE field, YCCECE offers various scholarships and bursaries to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements but are in need of financial support – the Drs. Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation Scholarship for Non-Chinese Speaking students is designated for non-Chinese Speaking Students who aspire to become professional early childhood educators; the First in the Family Scholarship supports students who are the first in their families to be admitted to an undergraduate programme. Besides, the College also offers the Principal Recommendation Scholarship for schools to nominate worthy students.

Professor Shen Shir-ming, President of YCCECE, said, “YCCECE will continue to provide professional programmes and training that meet the latest trends and needs of our society. Since there is a growing demand for ECE practitioners specialising in infants and toddlers, as well as children with special education needs, the College has set up scholarships to encourage enrolment in these two specific areas when they enter their senior year at the College, allowing them to harness their expertise and become well-rounded ECE experts.”

As a non-profit organisation, the College welcomes donations of all forms in support of the College’s vision of promoting professional ECE to the public, and nurturing future innovative educators.

 

About YCCECE
Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education (YCCECE), a registered non-profit institution, was established in June 2018. It builds on the former Yew Chung Community College (YCCC), which was started in 2008 by the Yew Chung Education Foundation (YCEF), also a non-profit association. The success of the YCCECE is founded on the impressive track record of YCCC and YCEF’s more-than 86 years of experience in Early Childhood Education (ECE). YCCECE aims to nurture passionate and innovative early childhood educators who can advocate for and bring about improvement in the field, and seeks to be recognised in Hong Kong and in the Asia-Pacific region as an ECE hub for its excellence. YCCECE boasts an impressive team of world-renowned ECE academics and local ECE leaders as advisors and consultants.  Its teaching faculty hails from around the world, providing a wealth of international perspectives and expertise.  Its student body is also multi-cultural and from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. YCCECE offers Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education (BEdECE), Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education (HDECE) and Diploma in Early Childhood Studies (DECS). YCCECE is also committed to serving the wider community and sharing good practices with all who work with, care for, or care about young children.  The Discovery Space (DS) in its Aberdeen campus is an interactive play space specifically designed for children aged 0 to 8 years old.  Through expert facilitation by DS staff, children and adults learn through play. This is made possible by a local philanthropic foundation that has pledged a lead gift of HK$40 million to YCCECE, which will fund various capital projects, including the DS. It is anticipated that this innovative play space in the Aberdeen campus will be open to the public in June 2019.

Released by Seedland International Limited
On behalf of Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education

Media enquiries:
Tel: +852 3583 3100                  Fax: +852 3583 1331
Website: www.seedland.hk     E-mail: info@seedland.hk

Contacts:
Ms Helena Hui (9534 0813 / helena@seedland.hk)
Ms Anne Fung (6698 2252 / anne@seedland.hk)