Nurturing gifted students: Hong Kong schools’ special programmes for brilliant young minds
Tailored programmes provide accelerated learning opportunities and diverse skills development for especially talented students
Some children have a natural aptitude for art or music or perhaps tennis, and in the classroom environment it soon becomes clear which of them are academically gifted. Those talents may be evident in any number of ways: a facility for languages, speed in solving maths problems, or even a special fascination with a non-curricular subject like astronomy.
Within Hong Kong’s already competitive education system, class teachers do all they can to encourage and nurture this potential. But sometimes children just have an inbuilt urgency to learn more and move faster, exhibiting a near-insatiable appetite for new challenges, information and ideas.
Fortunately, a number of options are available offering just the kind of supplementary programmes these motivated learners need.
“Our courses are designed by a team of experienced instructors and administrators, ensuring that they cater to diverse learning needs, while promoting academic and personal development,” says professor King Chow, director of the Centre for the Development of the Gifted and Talented (CDGT) at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). “Seminars are held regularly to help teachers, parents and students clarify programme objectives and curriculum design. This leads to a supportive environment for gifted learners and allows them to have a more balanced school life, while taking classes at HKUST during weekends or holidays.”
CDGT was established in 2010 with the stated aim of bringing together select secondary school students in an environment conducive to fast-paced learning. Those admitted take intense, accelerated courses, which are complemented by out-of-classroom activities where individuals can talk about different personal interests and meet like-minded friends.
The curriculum looks to challenge and inspire, while also helping gifted students – and their families – understand their intellectual potential and how to make the most of their natural talents.
Drawing on HKUST’s particular strengths, most courses are built around science, mathematics or engineering, and are taught by university faculty members or other experienced teachers.