In a city well-known for its aspiration to nurture a biliterate and trilingual population for effective communication and connections, our language education landscape continues to evolve in fascinating ways. As the Task Force on Language Support (Task Force) sails past the 20th year milestone, this collection of reports, aptly entitled "The Language Teaching Album: A Collection of School-based Practices", is particularly timely in showcasing how our schools are embracing recent curriculum initiatives with remarkable creativity and vision.

Long gone are the days when language learning was confined to traditional classroom boundaries. The experiences detailed in these pages reveal how our language teachers are actualising their creative vision and orchestrating meaningful transformations in partnership with the Task Force.

From whole-school approaches promoting values education (including national education and national security education) to STEAM education integration, from infusing media and information literacy to leveraging cultural diversity in language learning, our frontline practitioners are demonstrating with their solid experience that effective language learning can simultaneously be multi-faceted, rigorous and engaging.

What's particularly noteworthy is how schools are turning challenges into driving forces for changes and opportunities for growth in their educational settings, thanks to their healthy appetite for risk. From enhancing teaching strategies to developing school-based curricula, from promoting assessment literacy to strengthening e-learning - schools are creating synergies that benefit both content and values learning and language development. These innovative approaches equip students with various literacy skills and self-directed learning capabilities, leading to lifelong learning and whole-person development.

Grounded in authentic classroom experiences, these reports demonstrate how language education in Hong Kong has evolved beyond traditional vocabulary and grammar instruction. The documented practices show how schools experiment with creative practices and create learning environments that simultaneously address learner diversity, foster cultural awareness, and nurture "well-rounded individuals" who can confidently navigate our interconnected world. Through cross-curricular integration, technology enhancement, and cultural literacy development, these thoughtfully designed learning experiences enable educators to draw insights about holistic curriculum planning and inspire reflection on ways to enrich students' learning journeys and achieve balanced development of academic and whole-person development.

As we mark two decades of the Task Force's dedicated service, the publication of this collection owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our school partners, including their curriculum leaders.

Throughout our collaboration, I have had the privilege of witnessing their remarkable dedication firsthand, particularly during our professional development activities. These gatherings have consistently moved me, as teachers' quest for professional growth often leaves me both inspired and occasionally wondering if I have accidentally wandered into a TED Talk rather than a teacher sharing session! Their eagerness to share innovative practices and shine in their professional community reminds me that the best educators are perpetual students themselves – constantly seeking growth opportunities with the enthusiasm of treasure hunters who have found a map to pedagogical gold.

Equally heartwarming is my time supporting one school where brewing fresh coffee for co-planning meetings has become something of a cherished ritual -- a reminder that the best professional dialogues often happen over a cup of coffee and genuine collegiality. This collection serves as our humble attempt to return the favor, offering a stage where their achievements can inspire others. After all, great teaching ideas are like good coffee – they are best when shared. So, dive in and explore. In the dynamic world of language education, these reports offer both practical wisdom and inspiring possibilities for transforming how we approach language learning in our schools.