English Courses

LANG5000 empowers new research postgraduate students to confidently find their voice in an English-medium university. By learning English sound structures and engaging in collaborative speaking practice, students develop the essential clarity and fluency to better communicate their research and ideas.

• Conquer speaking anxiety in a supportive environment. Engage in low-stakes, peer-to-peer activities designed to build immediate communication confidence alongside your classmates.
• Master pronunciation through a clear, systematic approach. Use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to decode the underlying patterns of spoken English, allowing you to correct your speech habits and make concrete improvements in clarity.

• Short talk on the importance of your field of study and its contribution to society
• Language learning portfolio including a learning plan and verbal progress reports
• ELPA Speaking Assessment as a final evaluation of spoken English proficiency

• Intended for research postgraduate students who have not attained ELPA Level 4 (Speaking) upon entry to HKUST.
• Prerequisite for progressing in academic communication courses.
• Typically taken in Year 1.

Student testimonials

• "This course was highly valuable: it effectively enhanced oral English skills, encouraged thinking about complex topics in English (boosting logical reasoning), and provided practical guidance on research and TA skills. It was inclusive, fostering a supportive environment for students from diverse backgrounds. I gained transferable skills for my PhD and career."

• "This course is exceptionally well-structured, offering everything from fundamental pronunciation drills to advanced conversational practice, which proves extremely useful for learners at all levels within an inclusive classroom setting."
• "Regular feedback from the instructor on assignments and assessments was highly beneficial, offering valuable insights into our progress and identifying areas for improvement."
• "This course is very important and impressive, and it helps me a lot in spoken English. I can communicate with students from all other schools in HKUST."