Rubicon Podcast - PolyU Dating - Love without Borders

We’re pleased to share a new episode from Rubicon, the ELC’s student-led podcast, exploring the realities of modern dating through honest, student-driven discussion. Featuring candid testimonials alongside practical insights, the video unpacks everything from defining your “ideal type” to navigating rejection, mixed signals, and everyday dilemmas. It also looks at first impressions, highlighting what matters, from presentation to authenticity, before guiding viewers through key green flags to seek out and red flags to avoid. Whether you’re new to dating or simply reflecting on your experiences, this episode offers thoughtful, relatable advice grounded in real student perspectives. Watch the podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKg6UegMVKw

ELC Colleagues Receive AHKLC Best Paper Award 2026

We are delighted to announce that ELC colleagues have been recognised with the AHKLC Best Paper Award 2026 (Journal Article), a prestigious honour awarded by the Association of Hong Kong Language Centres (AHKLC). The award-winning article was authored by five ELC colleagues and one from EEE: Jim Lo, Christy Wong, Agnes Ng, Pinna Wong, Denise Cheung, and Pauli Lai (EEE). This award recognises outstanding scholarly contributions to language education, celebrating work that demonstrates innovation, impact, and strong engagement with teaching and learning. The award-winning paper, Stretching AI's reach: Assessing an AI-driven feedback system for extended academic writing, showcases important contributions to the field of language education, offering valuable insights for both research and classroom practice. The work highlights the ongoing commitment of ELC colleagues to advancing pedagogical innovation and scholarship in language teaching. This achievement reflects not only the quality of the research, but also the growing leadership of our colleagues in areas such as AI-enhanced language education and AI grading and feedback. The award ceremony was at the AHKLC Annual Symposium held at HKU from 2-3 June. The conference was well attended by many ELC colleagues, some of who presented on AI and teaching related topics. 👏 Congratulations to the authors on this well-deserved recognition! We encourage colleagues to read the full article and learn more about their work: 👉 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2025.100511

3MT Workshop 4: Designing and Leveraging an Effective Static 3MT Slide

Come to our workshop and learn how to design a winning 3MT slide!

3MT Workshop 3: Engaging Your Audience

Sign up today and don't miss out on your chance!

Co‑Presenting, Co‑Researching, Co‑Creating: Exploring AI Pedagogy with Students

An ELC professional development session brought teachers and students together as genuine partners in exploring the role of AI in academic presentation teaching. Grounded in Participatory Action Research (PAR), the session showcased how collaboration with students as co‑researchers can generate richer insights into how AI tools are actually used, understood and experienced in the classroom. Presenters shared practical, classroom‑tested strategies for integrating tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot and AI‑supported speaking platforms across different stages of presentation learning: from planning and visual design to delivery and feedback. Importantly, the session went beyond tools, prompting critical reflection on learner agency, ethical use, workflow design and the balance between human judgement and AI support. By foregrounding student voices and real teaching contexts, this PD session highlighted how AI‑enhanced pedagogy can be both innovative and responsible, supporting communication skills while reinforcing the central role of teachers in guiding, scaffolding and humanising learning.

Farm to Table Pizza Experience!

🌱🍕 Farm to Table Pizza Experience! On 8 May English Instructor Kristel O'Sullivan, with the generous support of ELC, organised a hands-on field trip to an organic farm in rural Hong Kong owned by a local Australian-trained farmer. 25 ELC students representing 6 countries spent 5 immersive hours learning firsthand about farm life, harvesting fresh seasonal vegetables, and creating and baking their very own pizzas from scratch. Surrounded by clean air and natural beauty, students collaborated, acquired new skills and truly connected with each other. From the farm and straight to the table - every pizza slice was earned! 🧑‍🌾

3MT Workshop 2: Articulating the Value of Your Research

Come and unlock the power to excel in the 3MT competition, and let your research shine in the spotlight! Register

3MT Workshop 1: Analysing Features of Successful 3MT Presentations

Join us and transform your research into a thrilling three-minute pitch!

PolyU 3MT Briefing

Sign up today and don't miss out on your chance!

International Recognition of Excellence: ELC Accredited by BALEAP

The core English Language Centre (ELC) subject English for University Studies (ELC1012 and ELC1013) has been officially accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP). BALEAP accreditation is a specialist quality assurance and enhancement scheme for providers of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) worldwide. The scheme aims to sustain high standards in specialist EAP provision across diverse educational contexts and to promote best practice within academic communities. The PolyU is the first university in Hong Kong and the third in China to receive BALEAP accreditation, marking a significant milestone in the regional development of EAP provision. The BALEAP accreditation report identified several areas of exemplary practice, including: Exceptionally strong internal constructive alignment within ELC1012/1013, with learning outcomes coherently aligned to teaching materials and assessments, and a well‑developed framework of formative assessment designed to support summative evaluation. A highly qualified teaching team demonstrating a strong understanding of the core academic literacy competencies required of PolyU students.  Clear institutional support for staff engagement in scholarship and continuing professional development, underpinned by established appraisal and mentoring systems. Teaching and learning facilities, notably the Centre for Independent Language Learning (CILL), which meet the highest sector standards.