News and Kudos

Dr. Wu Wing li Shares the Aims and Key Features of the New Programme in a Dot Dot News Interview

Dr. Wu Wing li, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Language Science and Technology and Programme Leader of the BSc (Hons) in Language Science and Technology, was featured in an interview with Dot Dot News to introduce the aims and key features of the new programme. The programme combines language science and AI technologies to prepare students for the era of human–AI collaboration, equipping them with the skills to use and develop AI-enabled language solutions while fostering critical thinking and lifelong learning. Click HERE to read the full feature on Dot Dot News.

Prof Zhu Xinhua and Team Earn Wiley Recognition for High-Impact GenAI Research

The Department of Language Science and Technology is proud to announce that Yuan Yao, Yiwen Sun, Siyu Zhu, and Xinhua Zhu have been recognized by Wiley for a Top Viewed Article. Their research, “A Qualitative Inquiry Into Metacognitive Strategies of Postgraduate Students in Employing ChatGPT for English Academic Writing,” published in the European Journal of Education, ranked within the top 10% of most-viewed papers published by the journal in 2024. This recognition celebrates the paper’s strong readership and academic contribution to research on GenAI-assisted academic writing, metacognitive strategies, and postgraduate education. We congratulate Prof. Zhu Xinhua and his team on this meaningful achievement.

Prof. Zhu Xinhua Advances Multimodal Reading through Research and Knowledge Transfer

Prof. Zhu Xinhua, Professor in the Department of Language Science and Technology, was invited as an expert advisor for the multimodal reading activities in the 2026 National Reading Week – “Reading Across Horizons Shared Reading Session cum Joint Primary and Secondary School 30-minute Read” event organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) on 23 April 2026. The event engaged over 1,100 students and teachers onsite and 30,000 participants online across Hong Kong, and set a new world record related to Multimodal Reading Activity. Drawing on over six years of sustained research in online and multimodal reading, Prof. Zhu provided professional guidance on lesson design, pedagogical principles, and assessment considerations. His work bridges curriculum policy, classroom practice, and academic research, aligning closely with EDB’s renewed focus on multimodal reading and literacy. The initiative also exemplifies effective knowledge transfer, translating internationally recognised research (including multiple SSCI Q1 publications) into large scale educational practice. Prof. Zhu and his team have developed multimodal reading frameworks, assessment tools, and instructional strategies which have been piloted in many Hong Kong schools and disseminated through teacher professional development and public platforms. Click HERE for more information.

Prof. Sun Xin Wins Early Career Research Excellence Award at ARWA 2026

Prof. Sun Xin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Language Science and Technology, won the Early Career Research Excellence Award in the 10th Annual Conference for the Association for Reading and Writing in Asia (ARWA 2026). This award aims to recognise a talented early-career researcher who shows outstanding research potential in an area of reading and writing research that is related to Asia. The ARWA, registered as a society in 2016, is for researchers studying literacy development, literacy impairment, or expert linguistic processing via print in Asia.

The 1st Symposium on Chinese and Multilingual Education Successfully Held

The First Symposium on "Chinese and Multilingual Education" was successfully held at PolyU on 28 April 2026, bringing together more than 180 distinguished scholars and participants to explore the future of Chinese language pedagogy. Themes discussed ranged from applied Chinese studies to comparative studies on how native Japanese and alphabetic language speakers recognize Chinese characters. Innovative classroom practices, such as utilizing AI to enhance non-Chinese speaking students' listening assessments and the use of multimedia in teaching classical poetry were explored. Scholars also tackled the complexities of languages teaching characterized by spoken-written diglossia. The symposium also served as a special event in honor of Professor Chan Shui-duen’s 38 years of unwavering dedication to Chinese language education. The final segment began with a tribute session to Professor Chan Shui-duen focusing on biliteracy and trilingualism in Chinese education, followed by Professor Chan’s Valedictory Lecture. Drawing from her nearly four decades of experience, her presentation provided masterful insights on the challenges facing non-Chinese speaking students with practical recommendations. The event concluded with a forum on the legacy of Chinese education at PolyU, offering inspirations for the next generation of educators.

Prof. Echo Sihui Ke Receives Top Cited Article Award

The Department of Language Science and Technology is proud to announce that Prof. Echo Sihui Ke has been recognized by Wiley with a Top Cited Article Award. Her research, "Sign language in d/Deaf students’ spoken/written language development: A research synthesis and meta-analysis of cross-linguistic correlation coefficients," published in Review of Education (2024), has been identified as a highly impactful work in the field. This award celebrates the paper’s significant global citations and academic contribution to language development research. We congratulate Prof. Ke and her co-authors on this prestigious achievement.

LST Cultural Exchange with Hokkaido University

The cultural exchange session with Hokkaido University on Tuesday, 10 March, was a resounding success, running smoothly thanks to the dedicated support and cooperation of all involved. We are pleased to report that the event provided a deeply meaningful learning experience for PolyU participants, who enjoyed the rare opportunity to build genuine friendships with Japanese students. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the session as a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to foster international connections. The highlight of the day was the interactive lunch and sharing session, which allowed for an in-depth exploration of campus life in Japan. Students found immense value in practicing their Japanese with native speakers of their own age, noting that the casual environment offered a refreshing and practical contrast to formal or retail interactions. This exchange of perspectives not only sharpened language skills but also broadened cultural horizons, making it a truly unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

GRF-Funded Workshop Successfully Explored Chinese Morphological Instruction for Non-Chinese Speaking Students to Enhance the "Big Six" Competencies

The LST Seminar "Workshop Series for Enhancing the Big Six Competencies in Chinese Language Proficiency for Non-Chinese Speaking Students (I): Case studies and common issues in vocabulary teaching," supported by the General Research Fund (GRF) of the University Grants Committee and led by Prof. Ke Sihui’s team, was successfully held on February 4, 2026 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Around 130 participants—including university students, scholars, frontline educators, and professionals from multiple institutions—gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on “Chinese morphological instruction for NCS students in Hong Kong.” The workshop provided a vital platform for exchanging insights and practical methods for teaching Chinese characters and vocabulary in multilingual contexts. Key topics included balancing oracy and literacy, developing a morpheme-based Chinese dictionary, differentiated instruction, and the emerging role of AI-assisted teaching. The PolyU team extends their heartfelt gratitude to colleagues from the Lions Clubs International Ho Tak Sum Primary School: Mr. WONG Wai-lap (Principal), Mr. LAM Chun Hung (Assistant Principal), Mr. CHOW Chai Tong (SENCO), as well as the two guest workshop presenters, Ms PANG Chung Wai (Chinese Language Teacher) and Ms WAN Chui Lai (Chinese Language Teacher). We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the members from the 17 primary schools participating in the PolyU “After School Little Word Expert” (ALIDE) program for the academic year 2025–2026.

LST’s Prof. Elaine Kwong Featured on Ming Pao Daily and HOY TV to Discuss Ultrasound-Based Swallowing Measures

Prof. Elaine Kwong, Associate Professor in the Department of Language Science and Technology and Associate Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing, was featured in Ming Pao Daily and HOY TV’s programme “Health Concern Group” to discuss a study investigating the temporal measures of oropharyngeal swallowing events identified using ultrasound imaging. This non-invasive approach enables accurate preliminary diagnoses for elderly patients without causing any harm. Click HERE to read the feature on Ming Pao Daily. Click HERE to watch the HOY TV programme “Health Concern Group” (EP461, 8:07–12:04).

The 9th International Conference on Multicultural Discourses & The 13th Symposium on Contemporary Chinese Discourses: A Resounding Success

The 9th International Conference on Multicultural Discourses and the 13th Symposium on Contemporary Chinese Discourses, held from November 15 to 17, 2025, at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was a resounding success.  Scholars, researchers, and students from around the globe gathered to discuss the theme “Asian Unity and Cooperation.” The conference provided a vital platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, exploring how Asia’s cultural traditions and discourses can address pressing global challenges and foster shared prosperity. Over 100 attendees from more than 10 countries and regions participated in the event. It also concluded with a call for greater collaboration among scholars and practitioners to harness Asia’s cultural and intellectual resources in building a shared global future. Participants praised the conference for its interdisciplinary approach, impactful discussions, and commitment to fostering multicultural dialogue.