Sze Chuy Hei works on a classroom exercise Wednesday during an English-language learners class at the Kalikow Education Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Students from HKMA David Li Kwok Po College in Hong Kong work through a lesson Wednesday during an English-language learners class at the Kalikow Education Center at University of Maine at Farmington.

Tracy Cheung, one of the Hong Kong school's two principals, talks Wednesday of the importance for their students not only to learn English but also to visit a rural area such as Farmington, where they can see nature.

Kathryn Will-Dubyak, an assistant professor in literacy education, works with a group of students from HKMA David Li Kwok Po College in Hong Kong on Wednesday during an English-language learners class at the Kalikow Education Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Sze Chuy Hei, right, works on a classroom exercise Wednesday with classmate Chong King Yin, left, during an English-language learners class at the Kalikow Education Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Paige Carter, a special education major who also is pursuing an English-language learners certificate, works with a group of Hong Kong students during class Wednesday at the Kalikow Education Center at University of Maine at Farmington.