New book chapter on second language motivation

This joint article by our Dr Sal Consoli discusses teacher research offered insights into the evolving identities, linguistic repertoires, and pedagogies of student-teachers.

New paper published in World Englishes

This new paper by our Professor Kathleen Ahrens examines keyness, conceptual frames, and metaphorical signals in newspaper editorials in two varieties of World Englishes: Chinese and Amercian English. These editorials focus on opinion articles and commentaries about territorial issues in the South China Sea during 2013-2015 and the study helps to understand how the media in China and the United States present their arguments over this geopolitical situation issue. The paper can be accessed via the Wiley Scholarly Network.

IRCAHC partners with The University of Queensland

A 2-year MoU has been signed for the two universities to promote effective interpersonal practice through mutually beneficial education and research.

WANTED! Author or Editor for Routledge Research in Speech-Language Pathology

A new book series – Routledge Research in Speech-Language Pathology – Taylor & Francis by our Professor Louise Cummings is now inviting ideas from SLPs who would like to author or edit a book on an area of interest to them. Topics already included in the series include palliative care, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sensory loss. If you have a novel idea or topic for a book, please contact series editor Prof. Cummings at: louise.cummings@polyu.edu.hk. Further information about the series

Systemic Functional Linguistics Part 1, Volume 1

The first of 8 volumes of collected works by our Chair Professor Christian M.I.M. Matthiessen published by Equinox Publishing is out! Prof. Matthiessen is one of the world's leading scholars in Systemic Functional Linguistics #SFL and the series is about the nature, the functions and the structure of human language seen from a number of points of view within the framework of contemporary scientific thought. It covers about 35 years of work by him. This Volume 1 is titled Systemic Functional Linguistics Part 1 which focuses on "The challenge of theorizing language: theoretical cartography." It provides the foundation of the whole series as well as introducing and summarising SFL. The painting on the book cover is by Prof. Matthiessen's father. More about the book and buy the hard copy or eBook at discount: click here Stay tuned for our update on the release of Volume 2!

Open for application: Junior Research Mentoring Programme (deadline: 13 April 2021)

Want to be part of our research projects and learn more about language research? Our Department is offering four practical and interesting research projects under the Junior Research Mentoring Programme organised by the Academic Registry. S.4 & S.5 / Grade 10 & Grade 11 / Year 11 & 12 students are welcome to apply: Project 1: Changes in Verbal and Non-verbal behavior as Proficiency in English Develops (Research Leader: Dr Renia Lopez) Project 2: Cultural Values in Public Service Advertisements in Hong Kong (Research Leader: Dr William Feng)  Project 3: Language, Social Media, and Time (Research Leader: Dr Dennis Tay)  Project 4: Leveraging ‘Uncertainty’ during a Health Crisis: A Comparative Analysis of the Use of Hedges in the Speeches of Four International Political Leaders During 2020 (Research Leader: Dr Margo Turnbull)  The research projects allow students to get helpful insights into our BA (Hons) in English and Applied Linguistics programme as well as to create a unique experience in language research. Application deadline: 13 April 2021 Project period: May - August 2021 Click here for more information.

Virtual Presentation of the Stephen Evans Awards 2020

In recognition of the contributions of the late Prof. Stephen Evans, former associate head of our Department, the Department has introduced the Stephen Evans Awards since 2018. For the 2020 awards, we are glad to have his beloved wife Mrs Kerry Evans, our Head Prof. Hans Ladegaard, and Associate Head Prof. Bernadette Watson, to virtually present the awards on 17 March 2021. ‘I feel humbled and honored to receive this award and my journey at PolyU started with Prof. Stephen Evan's support and encouragement. I was really shattered to know about his untimely demise before I started my PhD. This award meant a lot to me and it has inspired me to work more.’ - Dr Madhu NEUPANE, The Stephen Evans Best Paper 2020 Awardee (Title of paper: Supervisory feedback across disciplines: does it meet students’ expectations?) ‘I look on this award as a memento that would always remind me of the significant role that Prof. Stephen Evans played towards my academic development in the seven months that I had him as my supervisor. He made an indelible impression on my mind not only as an academic aficionado but more importantly as an empathetic and benevolent human being. He is still very much my memory.’ - Dr Mark NARTEY, The Stephen Evans Best Thesis 2020 Awardee (Title of thesis: Discourse and political myth-making: A critical discourse study of Nkrumaism) The Tribute volume to Stephen Evans – “Approaches to Specialized Genres” was presented to Mrs Evans at the last part of the presentation. The special volume was edited by two former PhD students of Prof. Stephen Evans and our Dr Dennis Tay with an aim to connect Prof. Evans' intellectual legacy. It highlights the value and the growing trend of a multi-perspective and inter-theoretic approach to genre research. Click here for the replay of the virtual presentation.  

The 26th Congregation of the Faculty of Humanities

Congratulations to all our graduates! The 26th Congregation of the Faculty of Humanities, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University will be held virtually on 27 March 2021. Keep in touch with other fellow ENGL alumni and the Department by joining Department of English Alumni Association (DEAA)!

Update your PolyU alumni profile

Dear ENGL Alumni, We hope you are still able to recall the many positive experiences and moments you had with the Department of English at PolyU, and the many friendships you developed with your professors and peers. We here at the Department would very much like to re-engage and reconnect with you. PolyU will be celebrating its 85th Anniversary in 2022. We would like to cordially invite you to come back to your alma mater and join us and your fellow classmates in celebrating and commemorating your many achievements. We would also like to keep you up to date with the latest news and any future happenings. Please take a few minutes to update your alumnus profile and help us build a strong and healthy alumni network with you and PolyU. You will get access to MS Office 365 and 5TB OneDrive storage for free with a PolyU Connect email account! Click here to act now! Best wishes, The Department of English The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Replay: Global Business English in Asia by Dr Jane Lockwood

The webinar took place on 1 March 2021 with our Dr Jane Lockwood as the speaker. Traditional Business English books cannot reflect changes in the real world. She shared how her forthcoming book “Developing global business English in Asia” teaches localised business English in Asia. Abstract: For decades business English teaching materials have been ‘materials, rather than research led’ (Maggie St. John, 1980). Publishers have been cautious in changing the course book content and approaches which have traditionally relied heavily on American business and cultural norms, and assumed everything in business is done face to face. Increasingly scholars are contesting much of what is included in traditional business English books as not reflecting real life in business, not being authentic and not focusing on the changing nature of communication exchange (see for example Bhatia, 2010; Gimenez, 2014; Lockwood & Song, 2016). However, one of the biggest complaints of business English teachers at college level in Asia, is that course books are not tailored to the needs of Asian business English students where they need to use English when they graduate and work in Asia. Developing global business English in Asia (Routledge - forthcoming) has been designed to meet the needs of teachers and students at college level across Asia wanting relevant, realistic and research-based materials. This online seminar was jointly organised by the Department of English and Research Centre for Professional Communication in English, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.