Courses (Series 2)

“In the past, I never realized that so many skills were involved in presenting one sentence. Now, I am confident in every interview and can answer any questions smoothly. Thank you Talis for giving practice opportunity of all of us. Undoubtedly, the skills I learnt are useful in future.”
-NG Wai-mei from SKH Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School

“I have learnt to be more confident in the interview. I have been equipped with more practical skills, such as self introduction techniques and techniques in handling impromptu questions and giving feedback. It has also reminded me of the minor mistakes which I have made across. From depressed to full of hope, it is really a valuable experience.”
-FONG Wing-fai from Belilios Public School

Course Introduction

Universities conduct group interviews for HKDSE candidates who are likely to meet the admission standards under the new 4-year Undergraduate Curriculum. Hong Kong Baptist University states that interview performance counts 20% of the admission criteria.

Interviews are one of the key applications of public speaking. Interview skills have become an essential leadership skill for all young people. Techniques of packaging and presenting oneself through public speaking are crucial to success. Mr Talis WONG, an experienced coach in public speaking, is going to conduct interactive workshops on public speaking and presentation techniques for interviews. With more practice, young people will be better prepared with curriculum vitae, self introductions, and handle impromptu questions and provide feedback.

“I learnt a lot of important skills of interviews such as how to write a good personal statement and what I should and should NOT speak during the interview. This is very useful for me in the future interviews and increases my confidence of interviews.”     
- CHENG Na from Canossa College

 “Apart from thinking skills, such as ‘step-by-step’ and ‘relate the unrelated’, I have learnt how to have a better organization and clear presentation of ideas. The course has also enhanced my sense of global related issues and my exposure to many odd interview questions.”
-Darren LAM from Shun Tak Fraternal Association Leung Kau Kui College

Course Introduction

Interviews are one of the key applications of public speaking: those conducted in English are basic requirements for admissions into universities. Under the new 4-year Undergraduate Curriculum, universities in Hong Kong conduct English interviews with a large number of HKDSE candidates.

According to Ms Jennifer MA, founder of the ARCH Academy, Hong Kong students are often able to memorise facts and reference model answers at interviews. However, students need to develop more spontaneity by learning to structure and present their thoughts effectively. To this end, Jennifer, an experienced university admission counsellor, is going to conduct a series of interactive workshops on thinking and organisation skills, individual and group interview skills, and exploration of global issues. By participating in English mock interviews and receiving continuous feedback, young people will be better equipped with the requisite interview skills for admission to universities.

Ms Jennifer MA attended St. Paul's Coeducational College and Benenden School in the UK. She was awarded multiple collection prizes during her studies at the University of Oxford and graduated with First-Class Honors in Economics and Management (B.A., Hon M.A.). Jennifer was also the elected president of the then second-largest student-run society, the Guild.

Jennifer was inspired in 2009 to co-establish the ARCH Academy and earned her Master’s degree in Education at The University of Hong Kong. She incorporates theories in her practice and has been teaching the flagship “Thinking Skills” programme both at the ARCH Learning Center and in schools. At ARCH, Jennifer is responsible for enrichment programme curriculum development.. She has delivered workshops of all scales to more than 500 students in her first year of teaching. Beyond enrichment programmes, she delivers tailored consultation sessions and has achieved an impressive track record in helping students attain Oxbridge and professional job offers.

Mr Matthew MINGEY
Instructor, ARCH Academy

Matthew MINGEY graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in International Relations and a minor in Philosophy. Matt was a leader in the International Affairs Association (Model UN) and a captain on the Mock Trial team. Drawing on eight years' debate and public speaking experience, he trained new competitors and mentored younger students as part of Penn Mock Trial's Make-a-Friend initiative. When not traveling the United States for competition, he worked for several legal organizations in Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

At Penn, Matt worked as a research assistant examining political risk in the United Arab Emirates, and later drew on his experience to author a thesis on economic statecraft and resource politics in sub-Saharan Africa. Matt specializes in research skills, issue analysis, and argumentation, and encourages all of his students to see the world from multiple perspectives. He is an advocate of debate and simulation-driven learning, having participated in and designed a number of peacekeeping, historical, and political crisis scenarios.

Matt attended McDowell High School in Pennsylvania, where he was President of McDowell's award-winning speech and debate team. He studied in Beijing, and speaks Mandarin Chinese.

Ms Matilda BROWNE
Instructor, ARCH Academy

Matilda has taken up various teaching responsibilities since 2008, including teaching English in Fiji and in Hong Kong. In addition, Matilda has been involved in organizing Oxbridge summer camps abroad, and in 2011, she was appointed Head Director in charge of 21 Oxbridge volunteers and 18 teaching assistants from Hong Kong Universities who together taught over 600 teenagers in a 5-week period. Prior to Cambridge, Matilda gained the Bodinar All-Round scholarship to St Mary’s School, Calne – one of the top girls schools in the UK.