Research on migrant domestic helpers’ healthcare and communication challenges in Hong Kong

Research on the health and other structural issues faced by migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, conducted by our Prof. Hans Ladegaard, Dr Jeffry Oktavianus, and Dr Margo Turnbull has been featured in local news and online media. The researchers, led by Prof. Hans Ladegaard, have interviewed more than 700 Filipino and Indonesian migrant domestic workers and surveyed more than 400 to investigate their life stories and well-being in Hong Kong, covering topics from narratives about their (traumatic) experiences, health literacy and healthcare needs to their communication networks. In view of the increasing number of workers driven by growing demand for domestic elderly care in Hong Kong, these studies aimed to highlight the significance of cultivating favourable conditions for workers. Another research study, led by Dr Jeffry Oktavianus, found that community storytelling networks, including interpersonal relationships, community organisations, and media outlets, played an essential role in supporting migrant domestic workers in coping during the pandemic. His research has been published in the journal Health Communication under Taylor and Francis. On the other hand, Dr Margo Turnbull led a research team focusing on the health literacy needs of migrant domestic workers. The study provides a critical examination of how breast cancer and migration impact these workers' lives and was published in the journal Quality Health Research under Sage Publications. Click HERE to read the full press release on the PolyU website. Local news and online media coverage: RTHK (1:08:52 - 1:13:51) Medical Xpress Mirage Ming Pao Daily News  

New co-edited book - Dao De Jing: Artistic Seals and Calligraphy with Annotated Translation

The book Dao De Jing: Artistic Seals and Calligraphy with Annotated Translation, co-edited by Ms Pan Pan and our Dr Molly Pan, has been nominated as the designated gift by the Reception Office of the Luyi County Government in Henan Province, China. This book encapsulates the understanding and artistic interpretations of the Chinese traditional cultural classic, Dao De Jing, by three generations: Dr Pan Xie (Molly), her sister Ms Pan Pan, their father Mr Pan Yong, and their grandfather Mr Pan Youquan. This book contains three forms of the Dao De Jing: artistic seals, Chinese calligraphy (regular script in small characters), and annotations in contemporary Chinese with their English translations. Mr Pan Youquan published Dao De Jing Carving and Annotations in 1993. Starting from the age of sixty, Mr Pan Youquan used over two thousand pieces of stone, underwent eight rounds of polishing and re-engraving, and transformed the five thousand words of Dao De Jing into individual seals using Chinese seal carving art. This resulted in the creation of the world’s first stone-engraved version of Dao De Jing. Mr. Pan hoped that more people worldwide could understand the culture and art of the Dao De Jing. To this end, his granddaughters, Dr Molly Pan and Ms Pan Pan, translated his life-experience-based interpretation of the original text into English. In addition to seal carving, Mr Pan was also locally renowned for his Chinese calligraphy. To honor his love for calligraphy, his son, Mr Pan Yong, wrote the entire Dao De Jing using regular script in small characters. This book contributes to the international communication of Chinese traditional art and Taoism. Luyi County, the birthplace of Laozi, has been dedicated to the promotion of Taoist culture for many years. Serving as a cultural artifact, this book significantly enhances and promotes the local cultural industry. A formal new book launch event is being organized by Luyi Federation of Literary and Art Circles in July 2024. More information about the book can be found on the website here.

New joint article on the role of signaling and novelty in rating metaphors

In this new joint paper by our Prof. Kathleen Ahrens "Comprehension of metaphorical expressions varies with novelty", published in the Journal of Psycholinguistic Research under Springer Nature, the research team found that novel metaphors decrease the interpretability and acceptability of sentences compared to conventional metaphors and literal sentences. Metaphor signals have minimal impact, except for double signals, which increase acceptability for novel metaphors but decrease it for conventional metaphors. Open access to the article from HERE.

New joint article on migrant domestic workers’ experiences of having breast cancer in Hong Kong

This new paper in Qualitative Health Research under the Sage Journal, with Dr Margo Turnbull, Dr Carol Yu and Prof. Dennis Tay as the authors.  Diagnoses of breast cancer are continuing to increase around the world. Although research has focused on the care and recovery experiences of women in various geographical locations, little is known about how temporary, transnational migration influences access to and use of cancer-related services.  This article presents the findings of a qualitative research project that explored the experiences of a group of Filipino migrant domestic workers who were diagnosed with breast cancer during a period of employment in Hong Kong. Analysis of the narratives told by these women highlighted the numerous points at which their status as family income providers and temporary migrant workers intersected with and shaped their experiences of breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment.  These findings provide useful insights into the information and communication needs of migrant workers diagnosed with serious illnesses.  Open access to the article from here.  

New joint article on English Language Teachers’ Emotional Vulnerability in the Era of Self-Branding on Social Media

This new paper in TESOL Quarterly under Wiley, with our Dr Hassan Nejadghanbar and Prof. Guangwei Hu as authors, explores the burgeoning trend of language teachers utilizing social media platforms to promote their personal or institutional language programs. Despite the widespread adoption, little attention has been paid to the experiences, challenges, and vulnerabilities these teachers encounter in such contexts. This study aimed to bridge this gap by examining English language teachers' vulnerability and identity negotiation in relation to self-branding on social media. The results highlight the teachers' constant struggles in competing against those who appear to have superior skills and resources for self-promotion and their resistance to the "rules of the game" in gaining quick visibility. They shed light on language teachers' vulnerability and identity negotiation in their efforts to present themselves as authentic and legitimate teachers on Instagram against popular, self-branded individuals. This study highlights the intersection of language teaching, emotion, and identity, offering valuable implications for language teacher identity in a rapidly evolving teaching context.  More information about the article can be found on the website here.

English Debate Club won a finalist prize in the 2024 Macau Debate Open

Meet Qin Xin, Eric, our English Debate Club's shining star and a finalist at the 2024 Macau Debate Open. Competing against other seasoned debaters, including undergraduate and graduate students, he demonstrated excellent debating skills and fluent English. Eric kept a cool head throughout each intense round, resulting in a remarkable overall performance that showcased his talent. We're incredibly proud of his achievements and can't wait to see where his debating journey takes him next.

ENGL’s EDB-funded Gifted Education Programme on English Language and Digital Literacies in 2023/24 invites applications from secondary school students

The Department of English and Communication (ENGL) has recently launched a gifted education programme, “Cultivating English Language and Digital Literacies for Future Leaders”. This programme is funded by the Gifted Education Fund of the Education Bureau (EDB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. This year-long programme is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of gifted secondary school students in Secondary 4 and 5 (2023/24 school year) or equivalent in academic, digital, and workplace literacies. To promote creativity and practical application of their learning, students will also undertake a research project at the end of the programme. The programme is divided into four phases: Phase 1: Academic literacies (May to July 2024) Provides students with the tools to excel in academic writing and reading and effective communication  15 hours of lessons about genres and features of academic literacies Phase 2: Digital literacies (July to September 2024) Equips students with the skills to navigate the digital world, including interpreting and creating digital content 15 hours of lessons developing students’ digital literacy competence Phase 3: Professional workplace literacies (September to November 2024) Prepares students for the professional world, focusing on business communication and presentation skills 15 hours of lessons to learn ways of analysing communicative practices in the workplace Phase 4: Research project and student conference (November 2024 to January 2025) 36 hours to conduct a small-scale research project on a topic related to English language literacy under mentorship and presentation of the project findings at a student conference The programme is inviting applications between 1 March and 19 April 2024. This is a unique opportunity for secondary schools in Hong Kong to empower their students and prepare them for a future where English language and digital literacy skills are paramount. The application form can be downloaded from this link. (Application deadline: 19 April) More information about the programme is available from this link.

English Training Programme for Migrant Workers celebrates its first batch of graduates

On Sunday, 4th February 2024, the English Training Program for Migrant Workers recently celebrated its first batch of graduates. Around 39 dedicated migrant domestic workers proudly received their certificates, marking the successful completion of a 4-month training program. This project is a fruitful collaboration between the Department of English and Communication and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union. It was designed to enhance the English proficiency of migrant domestic workers, not only to improve their communication with employers but more importantly, to equip them with the ability to advocate for themselves. Since October 2023, participants attended classes twice a month, where they had the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience. They practised conversing with instructors, solved homework sheets, and recited passages, thereby acquiring a range of skills including basic vocabulary, grammar, and communication. As a result, the workers reported feeling less anxious and more confident in speaking English. The certificate presentation was attended by Prof. Eric Friginal, the Head of the Department of English and Communication, Sringatin, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, and Yul Edison, the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong. Guests from various universities, grassroots, and migrant organisations were also in attendance. The program has been met with enthusiasm and interest, with a staggering 95 people already applied for the second batch, which is set to commence in late February 2024. As the program continues to grow, Dr Jeffry Oktavianus, Research Assistant Professor and project leader of the program, aspires to persist in bringing forward positive transformations to both the English language and each learner’s lives. Click here to watch the highlights.

Dr Christy Qiu and Dr Jenifer Ho received funding from EDB to run a gifted education programme on English Language and Digital Literacies in 2023/24

The Department of English and Communication is set to unveil a gifted education programme, "Cultivating English Language and Digital Literacies for Future Leaders". This programme is funded by the Gifted Education Fund of the Education Bureau (EDB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. This year-long programme is meticulously designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of gifted secondary school students in Secondary 4 and 5 (2023/24 school year) in three key areas: academic, digital, and professional workplace literacies. The programme is led by Dr Christy Qiu and Dr Jenifer Ho from the Department. The Academic Literacies course will provide students with the tools to excel in academic writing and reading and effective communication. The Digital Literacies course will equip students with the skills to navigate the digital world, including interpreting and creating digital content. The Workplace Literacies course will prepare students for the professional world, focusing on business communication and presentation skills. To consolidate their knowledge, students will undertake a research project under the mentorship of an academic. This project will not only allow students to apply what they have learned but also foster their creativity, independent and critical thinking skills. We will be recruiting gifted students for this transformative programme between 1 March and 19 April 2024. This is a unique opportunity for secondary schools in Hong Kong to empower their students and prepare them for a future where English language and digital literacy skills are paramount. Stay tuned for more information on our website and social media. Together, let's cultivate the leaders of the future!

New joint article on motivating healthcare professionals to correct online health misinformation

This new joint paper by our Dr Jeffry Oktavianus published in Computers in Human Behavior under Elsevier, delves into the factors that motivate healthcare professionals to counter health misinformation on social media, focusing on the roles of third-person perception and subjective norms. Drawing on survey data from 377 US doctors and nurses, the findings indicate that subjective norms, or the perceived expectations of others, drive healthcare providers to correct and report online health misinformation. These norms are triggered by exposure to misinformation on online platforms, particularly Facebook. The findings offer valuable insights for developing tailored interventions to encourage more active participation from health professionals in combating health misinformation on social media. More information about the article can be found on the website HERE.