Author: Grace Li
In this installment of the Student Spotlight Series, we are interviewing Hayley and Dorothy, the founders of Bridge to English.
Q1. Please introduce yourself and the mission of Bridge to English.
Hi, we’re Hayley and Dorothy, Form 2 students from Diocesan Girls’ School and founders of Bridge to English, a youth-led NGO based in Hong Kong. Our mission is to provide free English tutoring to underprivileged primary students from low-income and ethnic minority families, helping them overcome language barriers that limit school success, job prospects, and social mobility in our competitive city.
Q2. What inspired you to start or join Bridge to English?
Seeing classmates with access to private tutors still struggle academically made us realise how much harder it is for kids from low-income families with no support at all. Coming from a more privileged background ourselves, we felt a strong pull to use our skills to give back directly – so in October 2025, we started Bridge to English from scratch, building volunteer teams and partnerships to reach those who needed it most.
Q3. What are concrete ways you think English language support can empower youth and reduce socioeconomic barriers?
In Hong Kong, English unlocks a lot of different opportunities: better exam grades lead to top secondary schools; confident speaking helps in job interviews and university apps; practical skills like emails or presentations build self-esteem. For ethnic minority kids, it reduces the “language gap” that traps families in low-wage cycles-studies show bilingual fluency boosts earnings by 20-30%. We focus on fun, practical sessions so they gain tools for life and not just tests.
Q4. What has been your proudest moment with Bridge to English, and why?
Watching a shy 10-year-old from a Yau Tsim Mong centre go from barely speaking in our first Tuesday session to leading a group debate during our weekly debriefings by January, her smile when she realised she could express her ideas fluently. With over 300 kids impacted and 80+ volunteers from top schools across the city, it proves student-led change works, and it’s deeply personal knowing we’re altering their futures.
Q5. How can students help Bridge to English’s mission?
If you are based in Hong Kong, join as a volunteer tutor (Tuesdays/Wednesdays), no experience needed, just enthusiasm! If you are based internationally, reach out to us via email or DM’s to start your own chapter of Bridge to English in your city today! Sign up now, every hour you give multiplies our reach to more kids.
Thank you so much to Bridge to English for joining us in this interview! Please check out their work here: linktr.ee/bridge2englishhk
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