English Courses

This is an English for Academic Purpose (EAP) course with a primary focus on language development and proficiency. The course also helps students develop academic literacy skills. 

• Developing effective language skills and language learning habits and practices
• Evaluating useful and appropriate resources and learning strategies for university education
• Exploring multiple perspectives in academic discussions

• Speaking Task 1: Give a spoken monologue and engage in academic group discussion
• Speaking Task 2: Deliver a short academic speech
• Writing Task: Write a short academic essay
• Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Tasks and Activities: 3 required tasks which help students achieve their language learning goals and a reflective writing task

• Required course for first year Pathway 1 students.
• Students are pre-registered into different streams based on their English language proficiency upon admission to HKUST.

Student testimonials

• “The course makes me more confident on speaking English."
• “Feedback is very useful."

Course outcomes

• develop logical arguments in academic writing and speaking
• select appropriate content and language for the audience, context and purpose; for spoken and written contexts

LANG1406 aims to develop ability to communicate accurately and appropriately to business audiences –with critical thinking, collaboration and creativity–in business contexts in the university and beyond.

• Chatbot and interactive microlearning support for assessment development
• Communicative practice with personalized feedback 

• Assessment 1: Work with a group to persuade a business audience with a pitch about a real-world business communication problem in Hong Kong.
• Assessment 2: Inspire a business audience with your written business proposal for a business innovation to solve a real-world business communication problem in Hong Kong.
• Other tasks: in-class checkpoints and end-of-course language test.

Required course for all business students.

Student testimonials

• "I believe this course has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and valuable feedback, and I consider it an excellent foundation for starting my bachelor's degree."
• “LANG 1406 is a course that has helped me improve a lot in presentations and writing.”

LANG1407 aims to develop ability to communicate appropriately to target audiences with critical thinking, collaboration and creativity in engineering contexts in the university and beyond.

• Chatbot and interactive microlearning support for assessment development
• Communicative practice with personalized feedback  

• Assessment 1: Enhancing ability to communicate with clarity and precision in engineering contexts through a creative project.
• Assessment 2: Building communication and critical thinking skills by analysing real-world problems with peers and integrating feedback into your learning process.
• Other tasks: in-class checkpoints and end-of-course language test

Required course for all engineering students

Course outcomes

• gain a clear understanding of key ethical issues engineers face in professional practice.
• learn how to analyze engineering topics and deliver confident, well-structured presentations.
• develop the ability to reference appropriate engineering codes of ethics when needed.
• build teamwork and collaboration skills through engaging group assignments.

This course develops transferable academic literacy skills in researching and developing a credible and persuasive academic argument through a range of communication methods. This takes place within the context of the humanities and social science discipline.   

• Chatbot and interactive micro-learning support for assessment development
• Communicative practice with personalized feedback  

• Assessment 1: enhance your ability to critique source material through a spoken critique forum
• Assessment 2: produce discipline-related texts through a written argumentative essay
• Other tasks: in-class checkpoints and end-of-course language test

Required course for all undergraduate on Global China Studies and Quantitative Social Analysis programs.

Gain transferable skills such as literature searches and literature evaluation, building a persuasive argument and appropriate use of multimodal and linguistic features to communicate to a particular audience.

Sample of previous student infographic poster

LANG1409 aims to develop ability to communicate appropriately to target audiences–with critical thinking, collaboration and creativity–in science contexts in the university and beyond.

• Chatbot and interactive microlearning support for assessment development
• Communicative practice with personalized feedback  

• Assessment 1: Inspire the public with a science concept through a short science talk
• Assessment 2: Interest the public in your science research through a scientific blog post
• Other tasks: in-class checkpoints and end-of-course language test

Required course for all science students

Student testimonials

• “Every scientist needs to be able to engage other people in science. This course made me understand how I can have more impact as a scientist.”
• “I learned how to make science interesting to other people!”
• “As I'm planning to work in the science field or in science communication, this course has been extremely useful to me. I learnt how to cite and find sources properly and this course aroused my interest in communicating science to the public and debunking their misunderstandings.”
• “It has been a valuable and memorable part of my university experience. I have gained a lot from the learning materials you provided, especially in understanding and applying synthesis techniques.”
• “All the explanations were very clear and all the in-class activities helped acquire and consolidate the course content. As a result, I feel like I have learnt a lot of useful knowledge and skills that I am certain to use in subsequent language courses and my life in general.”

LANG2063 helps master workplace writing by focusing on thoughtful approaches and strategies to craft impactful communication that adapts to diverse professional scenarios.

• Combines theory and practice in workplace communication
• Focuses on real-world authenticity, reflecting workplace communication dynamics and challenges
• Includes checkpoints to support steady progress

• Individual Workplace Scenario Project: Create professional documents for a hypothetical startup, explaining writing choices for audience, purpose, and context. (spoken and written components)
• Group Genre Analysis Project: Analyze a chosen workplace genre, applying strategies to build transferable skills for future professional contexts. (spoken and written components)

• Ideal for students who want to enhance their workplace communication skills and learn how to craft effective, audience-focused messages. It is especially suited for those seeking to apply communication theories to real-world scenarios and develop transferable writing strategies.
• Prerequisite(s): LANG 1403, 1406, 1407, 1408, or 1409
• Exclusion(s): LANG2061

Student Testimonials

• “I learned that each time you write a document in a new genre, you can do some analysis to write it effectively.”
• “I learned how language and format and even minor details can affect how your message is perceived by your readers.”

Course outcomes

• Practical workplace writing skills that are adaptable across industries, enabling you to craft professional workplace communication with clarity and impact.
• Confidence in analyzing and producing audience-focused messages by applying communication theories and strategies to real-world scenarios.

LANG 2064 develops advanced spoken communication skills to influence workplace audiences, focusing on personal branding, intercultural awareness, crisis management, and effective business meeting and communication strategies.

• Communicative practice based on business scenarios with personalized feedback 
• Interactive microlearning support for assessment development

• Assessment 1: Engage potential employers and investors by creating a Personal Branding Video.
• Assessment 2: Develop effective business meeting strategies by applying both intercultural communication and politeness theories in a written Business Meeting Reflection.
• Assessment 3: Enhance crisis response strategies and communication by drafting a press statement and conducting a simulated crisis press conference.
• Other tasks: Complete microlearning lessons supporting course assessments. Complete peer evaluation and crisis press conference reflection.

• Designed for students who are:
  • curious about language use and interactions in professional and intercultural contexts
  • interested in careers involving strong communication skills
  • aiming to enhance their career prospects by developing a personal brand
• Pre-requisites: LANG 1403, 1406, 1407, 1408, or 1409
• Exclusion(s): LANG 2062

Gain transferable skills in persuasive communication, critical analysis, intercultural competence, crisis management, personal branding, and effective workplace interaction to influence and lead in diverse professional settings.

LANG 2065 equips students from any discipline to confidently tackle advanced academic writing for research projects and adapt academic texts for public audiences to engage and persuade. 

• Explore common and discipline-specific conventions to effectively adapt your academic writing style. 

• Learn advanced synthesis, citation strategies and rhetorical techniques to critically position your ideas and stance. 

• Use Gen AI tools and chatbots to support research and writing with academic integrity. 

• A critical analysis of research writing in your discipline 

• A research report from a small-scale research project 

• Repurposing research to engage through infographics 

• Review peers’ writing and evaluate peers’ contributions to teamwork 

• Ideal for undergraduate students planning to pursue or currently engaged in research work or who simply want to develop in advanced academic writing skills 

• Prerequisite(s): LANG 1003, 1403, 1404, 1406, 1407, 1408, or 1409 

• Exclusion: LANG 3060 

Student testimonial

“Many of the topics we covered would be relevant in completing our UROP summer coursework or final thesis, thus I am very satisfied with the content and structure of the course.” 

Transferable skills

• Use Gen AI tools to assist research. 

• Adapt research writing to your discipline’s conventions. 

• Strengthen arguments with advanced synthesis, citation, and rhetorical strategies. 

• Communicate research to the public using infographics. 

LANG2066 delves into the art of dynamic science communication, equipping students to engage and inspire diverse audiences through creative storytelling, hands-on demonstrations, and impactful busking performances while making complex concepts accessible and exciting for everyone.

• Engaging in a gamified learning experience and role-playing adventure to become a Science Influencer, unlocking skills, earning rewards, and competing in challenges.
• Combining storytelling, public speaking, and live experiments in creative performances to captivate audiences during dynamic science busking shows.
• Using a differentiated approach in key assessments, offering flexibility to align with your strengths and preferences.

• Assessment 1: Create a 2-minute science reel.
• Assessment 2: Collaborate on a group science busking performance video, supported by dedicated in-class project time.

• Ideal for students passionate about making science accessible and engaging. It is especially suited for students eager to inspire and educate diverse audiences through dynamic science communication.
• This course is also suitable for students who feel nervous when speaking. The course helps students deliver talks more confidently in ways that really connect with the audience.
• Especially useful for students aiming to go into the following careers:
  • careers in teaching: become an engaging teacher!
  • careers in research: persuade potential funders more effectively!
  • careers in industry: promote your research and ideas with impact for key stakeholders in business!
  • careers in finance and marketing: explain technical concepts to non-experts professionally!
• Prerequisite(s): LANG 1403, 1406, 1407, 1408, or 1409

Transferable skills

• Dynamic communication skills that can be applied to presentations, public speaking, and professional networking.
• Confidence in simplifying complex ideas and tailoring messages for diverse audiences—an essential skill for careers in education, science, media, and beyond.

LANG2067 helps students create and share digital artifacts, such as podcasts, vlogs, and digital portfolios, and craft engaging multimodal content tailored to specific audiences. Students also reflect on the ethical implications of digital media use by critically analyzing authentic digital content and their social influence.  

• Engaging in a formative process of ideating, pitching, promoting, and creating a vlog/podcast project.
• Publishing the work through platforms dedicated to student scholarship.
• Applying effective storytelling to digital communication.

• Assessment 1: A production pitch of the vlog/podcast project
• Assessment 2: A promotional reel to engage an audience and following
• Assessment 3: Final vlog/podcast project
• Assessment 4: Learning portfolio reflecting on learning over the course of the semester 

• Ideal for creative, collaborative, and reflective students who want to critically explore digital media and enhance their digital communication.
• This course would also appeal to students who want to showcase their work to broader audiences.
• Prerequisite(s): 1403, 1406, 1407, 1408, or 1409

Course outcomes

• develop online multimodal communication skills
• create compelling digital identities that showcase their learning and enhance their digital communication
• utilize audience awareness, relevant evidence, storytelling, and multimodality to create compelling digital artifacts

Showcase

• Teachers' Lift
• Student Voices

LANG2068 helps students craft and deliver impactful public speeches. It enhances confidence and stage presence, while developing spoken communication skills for academic, personal, and professional success.

• Hands-on experience in public speaking to build confidence and refine delivery.
• Personalized feedback supported by peer evaluations interactive microlearning modules that target effective use of voice, body language, persuasive techniques, and visual aids.

• Assessment 1: A live elevator pitch
• Assessment 2: A recorded influencer advocacy video
• Assessment 3: A live persuasive PechaKucha presentation

• This course is designed for students of all language proficiencies who wish to speak with confidence, clarity, and impact in a variety of settings.
• Whether you lack confidence or you are already an experienced speaker, this course provides practical tools and strategies for improvement, regardless of your starting point.
• Prerequisite(s): 1403, 1406, 1407, 1408, or 1409

Course outcomes

• Critical thinking and persuasive abilities to influence and inspire diverse audiences.
• Confidence, adaptability, and creativity for effective communication and presentation in academic, professional, and social settings.

LANG1405 is an introductory course exploring the impact of digital media texts (such as podcasts, wikis, and social media like YouTube) on academic, professional, and social communication practices.

• Creating your own meme/reel on your chosen scenario or topic
• Using your knowledge of multimodality and audience to create an influencer style video that can be shared online

• Assessment 1: A multimodal influencer style assessment divided into three parts; a short introduction to the topic, a meme or reel about the topic with a rationale describing your process and choices, and an influencer style video on the topic with an accompanying video or written rationale.
• Assessment 2: A weekly group online discussion from weeks 5 to 10.

• Ideal for curious, creative, and reflective students who want to critically explore digital media and enhance their communication skills through the creation and analysis of digital texts like memes, videos, and online discussions.

Student testimonials

• “I thoroughly enjoyed the class and have indeed learned a great deal from your course. The engaging lectures and class assignments inspired me to explore the field of digital literacy.” 
• “[The course] has really intrigued my interest and helped me notice the multimodality elements that exist in real life.”
• “I have learnt so many concepts regarding digital literacy through online and face to face interactions with classmates. The video assignment allows me to practice my editing skills as well, which is a fresh and interesting experience!”

Showcase of student videos

Student Voices

LANG2090 introduces corpus linguistics, a method for studying language through large-scale data. Students learn how to uncover patterns in authentic language use by analysing existing corpora and building their own language datasets. By exploring how language functions across different domains—such as health, business, and digital communication—students will develop digital literacy, quantitative research skills, and a deeper understanding of the role of language in society.

• Using corpus tools to conduct hands-on analyses of real-world language data
• Exploring topics of own interest (e.g. public discourse, online communication) through a group project
• Enhancing ability to interpret and communicate insights using data visualization and analytical writing

• An individual analytical essay develops skills in comparative analysis across genres or registers
• A group-based corpus project to investigate language in a domain relevant to students’ interests

• Suitable for students from all disciplines
• No prior experience in programming or linguistics needed
• Ideal for students curious about language, communication, or data

Course outcomes

• practical experience working with digital language data
• transferable skills in research, critical thinking, and data interpretation
• ability to uncover hidden patterns in everyday language which equips students with valuable insights applicable to fields such as communication, education, media, and business

This course offers a hands-on exploration of the science behind human sounds and speech and their applications in speech technology. Students learn what aspects of speech are important for designing effective AI speech systems, how to analyze speech data using scientific methods, and how to apply these insights to solve real-world challenges. From voice assistants to language learning apps, the knowledge and skills gained provide a competitive edge in fields such as improving customer interactions with voice technology, advancing research in neuroscience and acoustic technology, enhancing branding and marketing through speech analysis, improving human-AI interaction, or refining pronunciation for professional and confident communication. 

• analyze human speech using free, user-friendly software tools
• explore own interests, from understanding foreign accents to improving speech synthesis or studying how humans and machines communicate.

• Final project: explore topics of interests or relevance (e.g. synthesized speech, code-switching, foreign accents)
• Out-of-class work: small group-based tasks to develop skills for the final project
• Other assessments: two in-class tests

• No prior knowledge of phonetics or speech technology needed.

• This course would appeal to any student interested in technology, AI, business innovation, engineering solutions, neuroscience research, or communication; these are fields of direct practical applications for this topic. 

Course outcomes

• Develop ability to use industry-relevant tools and software to analyze speech, opening doors to careers in human-AI interface, automatic speech recognition, language technology, and more.

• Gain technical and analytical skills that can be applied to diverse fields

Practical applications

Speech technology has applications in many fields:

• Engineering: Enhance speech technology systems, design human-computer interfaces, or improve voice recognition software.

• Science: Advance research by analysing speech data for research in neuroscience or bioacoustics.

• Business: Leverage speech analytics to enhance customer experience, optimize AI-driven services, and understand consumer behavior.
• Humanities and Social Sciences: Examine how speech shapes cultural identity, language policy, and social inclusion, and critically assess the ethical implications of speech technology.