Faculty Publications and Conference Presentations

LANG 106 is an English communication course for all first-year engineering students at HKUST. The approach adopted in this course is new for HKUST and, as far as we know, for similar courses elsewhere. Now in its third semester, feedback from teachers and students on the course so far indicates that it develops in students a sense of responsibility for their own learning, and fosters confidence and thereby the motivation to actively improve their learning. The course: - requires students to reflect on their previous learning experiences and needs - introduces a range of language-learning strategies for students to try out and consider - requires students to set learning objectives for the semester, and to plan, carry out, and evaluate out-of-class learning designed to meet these objectives - requires students to submit a ‘Learning Portfolio’ - is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis In this paper we will first discuss the rationale for the course, the syllabus and sample materials, and the assessment/evaluation system. We will then share comments from teachers and students on the course. Finally, we will suggest how we hope this course (and other language courses for engineering students) will continue to evolve.