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DALS Graduates’ Sharing

Student Corner


This year, the Doctor of Applied Language Sciences (DALS) programme produced its seventh graduating class since its launch in 2012. The graduates are delighted to share with us some insiders’ view about DALS.

CHAU Chi Ping Jenny

Chau Chi Ping Jenny

My experience in DALS program is certainly impressive and rewarding. First, my vision in the overall discipline is broadened. Second, as a language teacher, I have been kept up with the latest development of language education in both theory and practice. Third and the most important, the training of doing research and conducting effective teaching has extensively built up my confidence and triggered my interest to do more exploration in my profession. Though the study was a long journey and was filled with challenges for part-time students like me, who had a full-time job and a family to take care of, it gave you the joy, sense of achievement and confidence when you finally completed the program. I am grateful to this program, to my thesis supervisors, the subject teachers, and the General Office Staff for all the help they offered to me during this journey.
LEE Suk Man Angela

Lee Suk Han Angela

I am very thankful that I am one of the lucky students admitted to the first cohort of DALS which was freshly launched in September 2012. My bachelor and master’s degrees are not related to linguistics but are concerned with international business and quality management. I decided to take the part-time DALS programme because I would like to enrich my knowledge in intercultural and professional communication, which is one of the selective strands, at my workplace and career development.

On 28 February 2018, when the Faculty of Humanities celebrated its 10th Anniversary, it was my honour to perform Spanish flamenco dance with Mr Raymond Au who played the guitar for me. This performance was a good realisation of the intercultural characteristic of studying at PolyU. In September 2020, I graduated with the completion of my thesis which was done during the pandemic time of COVID-19. The title of my thesis is about the use of evaluative language in promoting performing arts in Hong Kong. I wish the hard time affecting the performing arts industry will soon come to an end so that all citizens can celebrate their urban lives by enjoying the delight and energy obtained from the performing arts.

Studying DALS can fulfil my vision of bringing contributions to both academic and industrial fields. I have no hesitation to present my deepest gratitude to all teachers and classmates at PolyU who were walking with me to get through the learning journey for the past eight years.
LIU Xiangdong Charlie

Liu Xiangdong Charlie

I am a DALS graduate of the 2015 cohort. I came to PolyU with high expectations and left with great satisfaction. Having been properly trained with the courses and thesis writing, I am fully qualified for my teaching job now. In 2019, I published my first CSSCI paper on one of the top linguistic journals in the Chinese Mainland.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the professors who taught me the advanced knowledge of applied linguistics, both the theories and the application of the theories. Particularly, I want to thank my supervisor Prof. Matthiessen. He has been an excellent mentor in helping me to explore my academic potential. I am also very grateful to the support staff of FH. They are very nice and always ready to help.
SHI Jinfang Helen

Shi Jinfang Helen

PolyU is a well-known university in the world, and I was very excited to have the opportunity to study at PolyU when I received the admission email. The four-year study was full of hardships but it is very rewarding for me. The research staff in the Faculty of Humanities are extremely excellent, and they taught me not only the linguistic theories but the way of how to do research as well. The library service and setting are so perfect that I cannot help missing the days when I worked hard for the deadlines. PolyU staff are very kind and supportive as well. I would like to say "thanks" to all the teachers and staff who have ever taught me and helped me. Thank you!
YUNG Hing Wah Amos

Yung Hing Wah Amos

Communication is so primitive like breathing. A good communicator, however, is not born but nurtured. DALS has broadened my career and my view on analysing human communication from theoretical perspectives to applied language processing skills. DALS taught subjects shared the latest development in different communication research perspectives and laid the foundation in developing my dissertation.

My DALS study started in 2014, right after I graduated from the part-time MA in English Language Studies. Taking a part-time doctoral degree is a challenge to balance work, life, and study. I have lost count the nights sitting in front of the computer to complete assignments, analyse research data, draft reports, and finish my thesis. Now, when I look back on my journey to my doctoral degree, it is the curiosity and desire to advance the knowledge that pushed me to the finish line and the holy grail.

"dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum" - Antoine Léonard Thomas (1765).

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