ELC Surveys on AI Teachers and Subjects being Replaced by Language Exit Tests

The ELC advocates the student-centred classroom with AI playing the role as an assistant. Although AI teachers replacing human teachers has been in the news recently with, for example, Adelaide University having tentative plans to phase out face-to-face lectures, and closer to home HKUST has introduced an AI lecturer in one of its subjects, the power of AI to replace all the features that a qualified human teacher brings to the classroom is not yet possible. The ELC keeps abreast of these changes and has long been at the forefront of innovations such as co-hosting the Symposium on Repositioning Language Education in the Age of AI, sharing resources on how GenAI can be used in the language classroom, and making materials more accessible through AI created podcasts. Language exit tests are also back in the news with local universities such as Lingnan and EdUHK requiring students to take a language exit test, while other universities such as Hong Kong Metropolitan University and the PolyU offer reimbursement to student taking language tests. The ELC already offers online resources and F2F workshops for students planning to take IELTS. Language tests can act as a motivational tool to encourage students to improve their language skills, but it is debatable whether a test alone can lead to sustained language improvement.  The ELC was interested to find out student views about AI teachers and language exit tests. At the end of each semester, Student Staff Consultative Meetings (SSCMs) are held for each ELC subject, and during these meetings in the last semester students were asked for their views on the above. Full reports can be found at these links (AI Teachers and Exit Tests), or you can listen to a short podcast talking about the reports below. In summary, students recommend retaining and enhancing the current interactive language courses and using AI as a supplementary tool to support human teachers. This approach addresses the potential benefits of AI while retaining the irreplaceable human elements in fostering a dynamic and holistic learning environment. Students also expressed concerns about a compulsory language exit test.

AHKLC Symposium Podcast

The AHKLC Symposium 2025 is coming soon! We have four great plenary speakers at the Symposium - Dr Takako Aikawa, Prof Glen Stockwell, Dr Chao-Mei Tu and Prof Ursula Wingate. What will they be talking about? Listen to this short podcast to hear a short discussion on their upcoming talks. More details about the speakers can be found on the Symposium website: https://events.polyu.edu.hk/ahklc2025/plenary_speaker

Revealing the Secrets of Professional English: from the Private Sector to Public Service

The Art and Secrets of Professional English: From Private Sector to Public Service Date: 16 May 2025 (Fri)        Time: 3:00pm to 4:00pm    Venue: A607     Amy Hung’s Biodata Amy has had an unusual and varied career covering luxury industries in the private sector serving the select few and in the public sector serving all citizens of Hong Kong.  She started out in the finance industry and was later headhunted to the auction industry.  At the height of COVID-19, she decided to utilise her Master’s degree in International Health Management and joined the Department of Health as Research Officer.  She is currently working for the Health Bureau in Dental Policy Implementation. Blurb of the Sharing Session Step into the dynamic world of Amy Hung!  With experience in private banking, high-end auctions, and government departments, Ms Hung will reveal the interesting differences in English use across industries, from the polished formality of prestigious realms to the precision of government documents.  Packed with office culture insights, amusing real-life stories, and practical tips, this talk will uncover hidden nuances of workplace English that are rarely discussed.  Don’t miss this chance to inspire your learning and teaching with insights from authentic workplace experiences across different industries. Register here.   This event is co-presented by the Business English Interest Group and the Centre Staff Development Committee of the English Language Centre All PolyU Students & Staff are welcome

ELC's Drama Club 2025 Annual Performance

The ELC’s Drama Club had their annual performance on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th March 2025. A packed Chiang Chen Studio Theatre saw a thrilled audience entertained by the talented PolyU actors. The play performed this year was ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’. Thankfully, nothing went wrong in either performance!  Videos of the shows are available on the ELC’s YouTube channel. Opening night: https://youtu.be/3a9inKlMezk Second night: https://youtu.be/0V5gHAxeygE Speech: https://youtu.be/YR_CINhcx0c Jay Bidal, a lecturer at the ELC commented that the play was “a hilarious blend of theatre parody and orchestrated chaos!” while Martin Chan, a second-year nursing student said that the performance was “out of this world” and an example of how hard work and dedication can lead to excellent English skills. Zarina Patel-Abenoja, ELC Instructor and the coordinator of the ELC’s Drama Club was full of praise for the performance and all the effort that the students had made.  Planning for next year’s show is now starting! Cast and crew of the ELC Drama Club Chan Ching Man Jasmine: Actor, Assistant Director, Promotion Team Chan King Ming Scott: Actor Dora Saylikoglu: Actor He Mengzhou Elsie: Make-up Team Hui Yan Chi Sharon: Vice President, Promotion Team, Make-up Team Ismail Arda Ergene: Actor Joanna Marie Ologenio Nillo: Stage Crew Lee Chiu Yui Mila: Director Liu Yihan Homerie: Stage Crew Liu Fangsheng Jackson: Promotion Team, Props and Design Team Liu Yingxi Blake: Film and Photography Team Lo Ka Yuet Ryan: Actor Nassonova Arina: Promotion Team Ngok Charis: President, Promotion Team, Make-up Team Prithula Prashun Aishy: Human Resources and Treasurer Pant Anoushka: Backstage Committee, Props and Design Team Szeto Siu Chun Yoshi: Props and Design Team Tang Hiu Yin Hillary: Assistant Director, Promotion Team Tanya Budhrani: Actor Vikramadity Shukla: Stage Crew/Backstage Manager Wang Jiani: Props and Design Team Yip Antony Cedric: Actor Yu Jiawen Carmen: Director, Promotion Team, Film and Photography Team Zhang Wenxi Christina: Stage Crew Zoe Anne Jantschar: Actor, Props and Design Team    

AHKLC 2025 Symposium - Register NOW

We are now open for registration. Register NOW! https://events.polyu.edu.hk/ahklc2025/registration  

ELC's Drama Club - 2025 Performance Trailer - The Play That Goes Wrong

The English Language Centre Drama Club proudly presents "The Play That Goes Wrong". This year the ELC Drama Club will perform live at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre (CCST). Performance Details: Dates: 28th (Fri) and 29th March 2025 (Sat) Time: 7:00- 8:30 PM Venue: Chiang Chen Studio Theatre (Ground Floor A core) Student ticket registration: https://forms.gle/otH8bhUFLJCXzADW9 Staff ticket registration: https://forms.gle/p5x6Kj3BuoiqGwKP6

Poster Presentation Practice by PG Students

Poster Presentation Practice by PG Students In ELC6011, Presentation Skills for Research Students, students have a practice poster presentation in Week 9 of the subject. The practice is usually held in Room A305, CILL and involves students from different groups introducing their research and answering questions from a diverse audience. This interactive and engaging activity is well regarded by students and teachers alike. The session plays a large part in helping students develop their skills in using clear, appropriate, persuasive and analytical language for their delivery of effective academic presentations.  

The die is cast on the Rubicon: PolyU's Undergraduate Podcast

The ELC is delighted to announce the launch of the Red Brick Rubicon podcast. Click below to sample the Season 1 promo and the first episode of Rubicon: PolyU’s undergraduate podcast, hosted by the ELC and created by students for the local community.   Please listen to the ELC version OR Cross over to check out the Director’s Cut    And, please follow the podcast team on Instagram:  See you on the other side! Team Rubicon  

ELC2011 Feature Article Competition Results!

The ELC2011 Feature Article Poster competition finished on Friday 14 March with the award ceremony taking place on Tuesday 18 March. Hundreds of students took part in the competition by visiting CILL in Room A305, reading the articles, and voting on the one that they found most engaging. Comments about the articles from students included, “very engaging and interesting”, “really attractive”, “good observation for society” and “the topic is captivating”. The winning entry was from Nashita Nur for her article Lost in Translation: Language Barriers Reshaping Social Identities. One student commented that the article “reveals the current situation which every non-local student was facing” and another mentioned that “the writer detailed their personal experience extensively [and] really draws in the reader in terms of emotion and sympathy”. You can read the full article below.     All the winning entries can be found on this padlet. Thanks to all the students for their great work in creating these articles, and all the students who participated in the competition. Current and future students of ELC2011 will find these sample feature articles very useful as they write their own articles.

Wordfinder for fashion and textiles vocabulary

Wordfinder - an ELC website to help students find the right word in fashion and textiles. With hand drawn images to give you a clear understanding. Audio recordings and IPA to help you with a perfect pronunciation. And short descriptions which are tailored for the need of fashion students. Go here to find out more: https://elc.polyu.edu.hk/sft-wordfinder/