Interview with Miss B. Chan

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Q: Would you like to tell us something about yourself and your family?
A: My name is Beatrice Chan. This is my first year here teaching at St. Joseph's. I teach Music and English. I am married, and I have two sisters, one of them is in Canada, while the other is here in Hong Kong with my parents and me.

Q: What was your major in university?
A: I majored in music. I studied abroad in England. I got my first degree in the University of Liverpool, and my Master Degree in the University of London.

Q: Why was it that you chose teaching in St. Joseph's?
A: Actually, I have never thought about placing teaching as my intended career, but I studied Music and Music Education, so I went for it. I did have a list of schools in my mind. St. Joseph's was one of them, so I applied for it. At that time, there was space available here, and St. Joseph's gave me a reply first, so I took the job.

Q: Music is usually thought of as a subject for girls. Did you ever consider whether it is better to teach in a boys' school or a girls' school?
A: I do not care much whether it was a boys' school or a girls' school, as long as it was good. As a matter of fact, I believe that it would be easier for me to teach if there were only either boys or girls, but not both.

Q: There are only two music lessons per class every week. As there is so little time, how do you arrange your music lessons?
A: Besides singing, I would teach music theories to the students, as it is required in the syllabus and it helps students when they sing. I also organize some listening activities for my students, so as to make lessons more relaxing and interesting.

Q: What kinds of music or songs do you play for listening activities?
A: They are usually extracts from various types of songs.

Q: Nowadays, young people, especially teenagers, only like to listen to pop music. However, there are only classical or folk music in the textbooks, do you have any problems with teaching?
A: Actually, all music originates from classical music. Even the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber studied classical music to achieve what he is today. Therefore, I try my best to relate the music that my students like with classical music.

Q: Why do you think students need to learn the theories?
A: To understand music, you must learn theories. Students can become musically literate only if they learn the theories.

Q: As for your English lessons, how do you make your lessons more lively and interactive?
A: English do not have a fixed syllabus, which makes it easier for me. During lessons, we can tell jokes to each other, as we are not forced to learn only what is in the books.

Q: Do you have any special activities for your English lessons like the ones you have for your Music lessons?
A: For the lower forms, I might try. But it is more difficult due to the tight schedule set up by the English Panel.

Q: After you had arrived at St. Joseph's, you already had to teach English in Form 4 classes, preparing them for the HKCEE. Do you feel pressurized?
A: Well, it depends on the students. If they do not work hard, I feel like I am under pressure, as I do not want them to get lazy.

Q: How do you cope with these students then?
A: I talk to them after classes, hoping that they can notice the importance of the HKCEE.

Q: Do you have any special interests or hobbies?
A: I play the piano. I am the choir conductor of St. Mary's Church in Hung Hum. I used to ride the bicycle and play basketball, but I haven't had much time for this lately.

Q: How is the reaction towards the Music Festival this year?
A: It is quite good, but I have no reference to compare to, as I was not teaching here last year.

Q: Do you have any plans in develop our students' interest in music?
A: It will be difficult in a boys' school, as their voices changes soon after they enter their secondary school-life. There are no music lessons in the higher forms, making it even harder to develop a good atmosphere for learning music in this school.

Q: You have been here for two months, and students think that you are very "cool", as if there's something blocking you from everybody else. How do you feel about this?
A: I don't think I am that "cool". I try to be a little serious, so that I can be more like a teacher.

Q: What do you think of Josephians?
A: Josephians are mostly good boys. There aren't any extremely bad students.

Q: Josephians are known for organizing a lot of extra-curricular activities. Do you think that they can balance this with their academic results?
A: I don't think so. They tend to skip too many lessons.

Q: But there are benefits while doing this, right?
A: I must admit, yes. I have been very active in extra-curricular activities myself, but I think more time should be spent on academics.

Q: What do you hope for while teaching here?
A: I hope that my students can excel. I hope that I can have good relationships with students and other teachers.

Q: Are you training the choir now?
A: Yes, we have started with our section rehearsals. The whole choir will join together after the Speech Festival because I will be able to allocate more time for choir practice then.

Q: Do you think the choir can achieve good results this year?
A: We will try our best.