News & Events

ENG Departmental Seminar – H.C. Andersen Series (2 Seminars)

March 26, 2025

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The Department of English cordially invites you to join our departmental seminar series, “H.C. Andersen Series,” consisting of two seminars. The event will take place on 23 April 2025 (Wednesday).

Date:	23 April 2025 (Wednesday)
Time:	12:15pm – 2:15pm
Venue:	D404, Lee Quo Wei Academic Building
Speakers:	Dr. Maria Chan (Senior Lecturer, HKSYU) and Dr. Kacey Liu (Associate Professor, HKSYU)
Registration:	Complete the online registration form to reserve a seat. Available on a first-come first-served basis.
Remarks:	1 iGPS unit will be awarded to undergraduate students who attend the seminar

Seminar 1: Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Beyond the Childlike Wonder Time

Guest Speaker: Dr. Maria Chan (Senior Lecturer, Hong Kong Shue Yan University)

Abstract
Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, including The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Emperor’s New Clothes, are often classified as children’s literature. Their magical elements, imaginative worlds, and moral lessons seem perfectly suited for children. However, beneath this childlike wonder, these tales also resonate strongly with adults, offering darker themes, existential questions, and critiques of human nature.

This seminar examines how Andersen’s works transcend their surface simplicity to engage both children and adults. For children, his stories provide accessible language, enchanting worlds, and clear ethical lessons. For adults, they reveal emotional and thematic complexity, such as the tragic sacrifices in The Little Mermaid and the biting satire of The Emperor’s New Clothes. By exploring the layers of meaning in Andersen’s fairy tales, we uncover why they continue to captivate and challenge readers of all ages.

Bio
Dr. Maria Chan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. She obtained her Doctor of Education degree from the University of Hong Kong. Her research interests include modern fiction, drama from Eastern and Western traditions, and Renaissance and Neoclassical literature.

Seminar 2: Reimagining Witches: A Comparative Study of Witch Depictions in Modern Chinese Adaptations of Andersen’s The Little Mermaid

Guest Speaker: Dr. Kacey Liu (Associate Professor, Hong Kong Shue Yan University)

Abstract
Since the late Qing and early Republican periods, when Andersen’s works were introduced to the Chinese audience, fairy tales have gained popularity and acclaim among readers in China. Presently, numerous adaptations and retellings of Andersen’s narratives abound. This study delves into the depiction of witches in contemporary Chinese adaptations of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. By examining the portrayal of witches in these adaptations, the research compares modern renditions with the English version of Andersen’s tale and its early Chinese translation, “海的女兒” as translated by Ye Junjian (葉君健) in 1956. Ye’s version is directly translated from Denmark and has been recognized as an authoritative and excellent translated version. Through a comparative analysis of modern adaptations alongside the original English and the Chinese translation by Ye, this study argues that the representation of witches has undergone demonization to suit the sensitivities of contemporary young readers.

Bio
Dr. LIU Jianwen (Kacey) is an Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. She holds a Ph.D. in Gender Studies/Translation Studies from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research interests focus on gender and language, picture book translations, gender-based translation studies, and corpus-based translation studies.

For enquiries, please feel free to contact us at eng@hsu.edu.hk.

ENG Departmental Seminar – Tackling the lack of expertise in language acquisition and misleading beliefs in second language teaching: Suggesting the way forward.

March 25, 2025

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The Department of English cordially invites you to join our departmental seminar, Tackling the lack of expertise in language acquisition and misleading beliefs in second language teaching: Suggesting the way forward, to be organized by the English Language Centre on 24 April 2025 (Thursday).

Date: 24 April 2025 (Thursday)

Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Venue: Lecture Hall CR002, Creative Humanities Hub

Guest Speaker: Professor Alessandro Benati, Dean of Education, University of Dublin

Registration: Complete this online form to reserve a seat. Available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Remarks: 1 iGPS unit will be awarded to undergraduate students who attend the seminar

Abstract

The nature of language, its representation in the mind-brain of humans, and how language is processed and acquired should constitute the backbone of all language and teacher-education programmes. The lack of language experts teaching in these programmes has often led to the perpetuation of misleading beliefs about language and language teaching. For example, the belief that language is a list of rules, such as those found in textbooks and that ‘knowing a language involves knowing its rules’. Perhaps one of the more critical sets of consequences of non-expertise in language and language acquisition involves a lack of understanding about how language develops over time. Some of the myths perpetuated include that teaching grammar explicitly and error correction is necessary or even beneficial, that first-language transfer is the source of all learning problems, and that adults learn languages differently from children, among many, many others. In this talk, the main consequences of the lack of experts and expertise in providing appropriate language teacher training will be discussed and several possible solutions highlighted.

Bio

Alessandro is a scholar in the field of second language acquisition research with an interest in two distinct areas: (i) the theoretical framework known as Input Processing, and particularly its pedagogical model Processing Instruction; (ii) the empirical research on the effects of formal instruction (focus on form) on the acquisition of linguistic properties in several romance and non-romance languages. His research on Processing Instruction has been recently driven using new online measurements (e.g., eye tracking, self-paced reading).

DEPARTMENT NEWS – Rediscover Andersen’s Fairy Tales

March 19, 2025

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The Department recently organized an engaging event titled “The Fairytale World of H.C. Andersen” (安徒生的童話世界) to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the renowned Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. This initiative aimed to explore the themes within Andersen’s beloved fairy tales and their relevance in today’s world.

Media Coverage

The event received significant media attention, with Ming Pao Daily News covering the story in their education section. The article, titled “恒大辦活動「重讀」安徒生學生代入「醜小鴨」：故事不止教別以貌取人,” detailed the activities and the students’ reflections on the story’s lessons.

LAM Winola Wai-larm, a third-year student in the Department of English, shared her reflections on the story, highlighting its message about not judging others by their appearance. She expressed how the tale resonated with her personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of understanding and self-discovery.

Radio Episodes

For those interested in further exploring Andersen’s fairy tales, RTHK has archived radio episodes produced by Dr Anna TSO Wing-bo discussing these timeless stories. You can access the episodes here.

Public Lecture: Paris Olympics and the History of the Game

March 6, 2025

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[Open for Public Registration!]

Were you mesmerized by the grand opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Seine River? Discover how it connects to French literature, movies, and creative industries! 📖🎥🎨🥂

Join us for a public lecture with Dr. Tong Yui, who will unveil the mysteries and historical elements behind the scenes. See how the Olympics is not just about sports, but a great celebration of French arts as well.

🗓 Date: March 18 (Tuesday)

⏰Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

📍Venue: G/F, CR002 Lecture Hall, CR Hub

🎤Guest Speaker: Dr. Tong Yui, Associate Professor, Hong Kong Baptist University

*The lecture will be conducted in Cantonese

Register now

Abstract (Chinese version only)

2024年巴黎奧運的開幕式，引入了許多別開生面的想法，大大顛覆了人們對大型賽事開幕式的印象。開幕式的創作團隊，通過各種奇思妙想，讓開幕式得以順利在比賽場館外進行，同時還善用塞納河兩岸的景觀，讓開幕式變成了一場教人目不暇給的嘉年華。創作團隊的創意和精心構思並不只限於此。製作團隊在整個開幕式裡，注入了不少法國引以自豪的藝術、文化元素，而有別於傳統開幕式的表現手法，巴黎奧運開幕式在展示這些法國文化成就時，採用了相對婉轉和暗示等手法，只讓識者去解讀和發現箇中種種驚喜。講者將通過法國文學文化，影視作品以及創意產業，來為聽眾剖析2024巴黎奧運開幕式的各種文化細節，探索它所隱含的人文信息和價值觀。

Music Performance: Voices of the Silver Screen

March 5, 2025

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Music Performance: Voices of the Silver Screen

🗓 Date: 21 March 2025 (Friday)

⏰Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00PM

📍Venue: 2/F, D201 Auditorium, Lee Quo Wei Academic Building (D Building), Yuen Campus, HSUHK

Join us for Voices of the Silver Screen! Enjoy live music performances by the Band Society of HSUHK and the talented winners of our music video competition. Engage in interactive activities and explore the fascinating connection between language, music, and films. Celebrate emerging artists and discover how film music can enrich your English learning journey!

Free Entry – register now!

ENG Departmental Seminar – How Do L2 Learners Understand Functional Adequacy in TBLT?

March 4, 2025

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The Department of English cordially invites you to join our departmental seminar, How Do L2 Learners Understand Functional Adequacy in TBLT?, to be organized on 20 March 2025 (Thursday).

Date: 20 March 2025 (Thursday)

Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Venue: Room A310, S H Ho Academic Building

Speaker: Dr Gavin Bui, Associate Professor and Associate Head of Department of English

Registration: Complete the online registration form to reserve a seat. Available on a first-come first-served basis.

Remarks: 1 iGPS unit will be awarded to undergraduate students who attend the seminar

Abstract

In Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), second language (L2) task performance has traditionally been assessed through metrics of complexity, accuracy, lexis, and fluency (CALF; Bui & Skehan, 2018). However, these criteria focus solely on linguistic features, overlooking pragmatic competence in task performance. To address this limitation, the concept of functional adequacy (FA) has been proposed (Kuiken & Vedder, 2016, 2018), encompassing content, task requirements, comprehensibility, and coherence/cohesion. To date, research on FA has predominantly examined quantitative outcomes, with limited exploration of learners’ qualitative perceptions of FA. Furthermore, scant attention has been paid to how learners’ backgrounds shape their understanding and demonstration of FA. This study addresses these gaps by analysing post-task interviews with eight university students, alongside their preparatory notes (compiled before and during tasks) and the researcher’s observational field notes. Findings revealed that while learners’ perceptions of FA broadly aligned with Kuiken and Vedder’s current FA framework, discrepancies emerged in their interpretations of content and task requirements. Additionally, the study identified cultural sensitivity and creativity as potential dimensions requiring integration into a robust FA framework. Theoretical and pedagogical implications are discussed.

Bio

Dr Gavin Bui is an Associate Professor and Associate Head in the English Department at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, where he also serves as the Director of the MA in English Language Teaching and Assessment programme. He is the co-editor of the Asian Journal of English Language Teaching and served as the President of the Hong Kong Association for Applied Linguistics from 2021 to 2023.

For enquiries, please feel free to contact us at eng@hsu.edu.hk.

The Year of Hans Christian Andersen

December 17, 2024

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The year of hans christian andersen: creative writing, art illustration, & video story-telling competitions

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the passing of Hans Christian Andersen (2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875), renowned for his fairy tales such as The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, and The Little Match Girl, the Department of English of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong is launching a series of creative competitions across the territory, as follows:

1. Embracing the Shadows: Darkness in H.C. Andersen's Fairy Tales

Craft a short story inspired by Andersen’s works (available on: http://hca.gilead.org.il/) that explores the darker aspects of his fairy tales. Reimagine his narratives by delving into the madness and sins of the characters, reinterpreting the melancholy and supernatural elements, and/or giving voice to the silences within the tales. Unleash your creativity and let the shadows guide your storytelling!

This short-story writing competition is open to secondary school students only.
Short story length: 900-1100 words
Format: Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced, standard margin (1 inch)
Judging Criteria: Content, style/voice, word choice/sentence fluency, and conventions.
Submit your work to eng@hsu.edu.hk with the Subject “Short Story Writing Competition” and name your file “Full Name_Story title.docx” (e.g., Chan Tai Man Peter_The Diamond Pig.docx). Please provide Andersen’s original story’s title and paste the link of the e-text from http://hca.gilead.org.il/ (e.g., Adapted from Andersen’s The Metal Pig, retrieved from http://hca.gilead.org.il/metal_pi.html).
Include your name, school name, level of study, telephone number, and email address in the email.
Deadline for submission: 22^nd March 2025.
Any detection of AI-generated content will result in the cancellation of competition eligibility.

Each winner of the Short-story Writing Competition will receive a scholarship in the following amount:

Champion	HK$500
First runner-up	HK$300
Second runner-up	HK$200
Honourable Mentions	HK$100 each

2. Poetry Writing in Memory of Hans Christian Andersen

Choose one character from the list of stories written by Andersen (available on: http://hca.gilead.org.il/) and write a poem from his/her perspective. The poem should ideally have the following:

A clear picture (called a “dramatic situation”) that establishes where your chosen character is at the moment
His/her inner thoughts about himself/herself and his/her relationship with other characters and the events in the story
An insight into human life or a lesson learned as represented by your chosen character’s experience

This poetry writing competition is open to secondary school students only.
Line count: At least ten (10) lines
Poem Structure: No stanza number requirements. You can use conventional forms (e.g., the sonnet or the villanelle) or free form. The poem can have a rhyme scheme, or it can be free verse (no rhymes). Having experimental forms (e.g., making the poem “heart-shaped”) is discouraged.
Format: Times New Roman, size 12, single-spaced, standard margin.
Judging Criteria: Content, Diction, Form & Structure, and Conventions
Submit your work to eng@hsu.edu.hk with the Subject “Poetry Writing Competition” and name your file “Full
Name_Poem title.docx” (e.g., Chan Tai Man Peter_The Diamond Pig.docx). Provide Andersen’s original story’s title and paste the link of the e-text from http://hca.gilead.org.il/
(e.g., Adapted from Andersen’s The Metal Pig, retrieved from http://hca.gilead.org.il/metal_pi.html).
Include your name, school name, level of study, telephone number, and email address in the email.
Deadline for submission: 2^nd March 2025.
Any detection of AI-generated content will result in the cancellation of competition eligibility.

Each winner of the Poetry Writing Competition will receive a scholarship in the following amount:

Champion	HK$500
First runner-up	HK$300
Second runner-up	HK$200
Honourable Mentions	HK$ 100 each

3. H.C. Andersen Art Illustration Award

Create an illustration inspired by a selected scene or theme from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales (available on: http://hca.gilead.org.il/) and include a 100-word English description explaining the inspiration behind your artwork.

This art illustration competition is open to students of all ages.
The artwork should be created on drawing paper, sized to 11.7 inches x16.5 inches.
The work could be done in dry colors (crayon, pencil, colour pencil, dry pastel), watercolors, poster, acrylic colors, and/or oil-based colors. Mixed medium, including collage, is acceptable.
Please mail your artwork to CR418, 4/F, Department of English, Creative Humanities Hub, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. Make sure to include your name, level of study, school name, telephone number, and email address on the envelope.
Email the 100-word English description in a Word file to eng@hsu.edu.hk. Name the file “Full Name_Artwork Title.docx”

(e.g., Chan Tai Man Peter_The Diamond Pig.docx). In the word document, provide Andersen’s original story’s title and paste the link of the e-text from http://hca.gilead.org.il/
(e.g., Adapted from Andersen’s The Metal Pig, retrieved from http://hca.gilead.org.il/metal_pi.html).

In the email, include your name, school name, level of study, telephone number, and email address in the email, with a photo of the artwork attached.
Judging Criteria: Drawing Technique, Composition & Design, Creativity & Originality, Visual Impact, Depiction of Theme, Meaning & Content, Attention to Detail, Expressiveness, and Use of Color.
Deadline for submission: 2^ndMarch 2025.

Each winner of the H.C. Andersen Art Illustration Competition will receive a scholarship in the following amount:

Champion (Secondary Level)

Champion (Primary Level)

Champion (Kindergarten Level)

HK$800

HK$500

HK$300

First runner-up (Secondary Level)

First runner-up (Primary Level)

First runner-up (Kindergarten Level)

HK$500

HK$300

HK$200

Second runner-up (Secondary Level)

Second runner-up (Primary Level)

Second runner-up (Kindergarten Level)

HK$300

HK$200

HK$100

Honourable Mentions (Secondary Level)

Honourable Mentions (Primary Level)

Honourable Mentions (Kindergarten Level)

HK$ 200 each

HK$100 each

HK$50 each

4. When H.C. Andersen Meets UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Funded by the Strategic Development Grant of the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, this competition aims to recruit contestants to produce a short English video aimed at raising awareness about one of the following UN Sustainable Development Goals in an educating and entertaining way. Please pick up one UN SDG (https://sdgs.un.org/goals) and produce a 5-minute English video that tells a story of a UN SDG based on the adaptation of Andersen’s fairy tale(s) (available on: http://hca.gilead.org.il/).

This video story-telling competition is open to secondary school students only.
Maximum number of contestants per video: 5
Video length: around 5 minutes
Judging criteria: 1. the educational value and effectiveness of the content, 2. English proficiency (both spoken and written), 3. creativity, and 4. video presentation techniques (e.g., filming, editing, and visual effects).
Name the video “Full Name_Videodocx” (e.g., Chan Tai Man Peter_The Diamond Pig.mp3). Upload your video HERE by 15th March 2025. Send an email to elc@hsu.edu.hk to confirm your submission. Please also include your full name, school’s name, level of study, phone number, and email address.
In the email, please provide the UN SDG(s) you are working on, & the title(s) of Andersen’s original tale(s) and paste the link of the e-text(s) from http://hca.gilead.org.il/ (e.g., Adapted from Andersen’s The Metal Pig, retrieved from http://hca.gilead.org.il/metal_pi.html). Please also indicate if you want to receive a certificate of participation.

Each winner of the Video Story-telling Competition will receive a scholarship in the following amount:

Champion	HK$3,000 per team
First runner-up	HK$2,000 per team
Second runner-up	HK$1,000 per team
Honourable Mentions	HK$500 per team
Audience Favourite Award	HK$500 per team

Notes

Selected finalists will be contacted by phone in mid-March and invited to participate in a Q & A session, followed by a Lunch Seminar and an Award Presentation Ceremony, at the School of Humanities & Social Science (SHSS) Creative Humanities Fest, scheduled for 22^nd March 2025.

The creative works will be published in our HSUHK ENG Journal, set to be released in late May, and will also be displayed at the SHSS International Conference on Hans Christian Andersen to be held in late May.

By submitting creative work to any of these competitions, you agree to transfer ownership of the work to the organizers. The organizers may use the artwork for promotional purposes, including, but not limited to, displaying it as a backdrop for our event, incorporating it into printed materials such as leaflets and posters, and sharing it on our website, social media pages, and other digital platforms.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us at eng@hsu.edu.hk.

We look forward to your enthusiastic participation!

Voices of the Silver Screen – Music Video Competition

December 11, 2024

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We are excited to announce the launch of Voices of the Silver Screen, a music video competition, designed to engage you in both music and English language learning. This competition is a fantastic opportunity to express your creativity while enhancing your English skills through music. You are invited to create and submit a music video featuring a song from…

ENG Departmental Seminar – Developing an AI-powered automated writing evaluation (AWE) platform: Insights and challenges

November 1, 2024

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The Department of English cordially invites you to join our departmental seminar, Developing an AI-powered automated writing evaluation (AWE) platform: Insights and challenges, to be organized by the English Language Centre on 14 November 2024 (Thursday).

Date: 14 November 2024 (Thursday)

Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Venue: Lecture Hall CR002, Creative Humanities Hub

Guest Speaker: Dr Steven Yeung, Senior Lecturer at the English Language Teaching Unit of The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Registration: Complete this online form to reserve a seat. Available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Remarks: 1 iGPS unit will be awarded to undergraduate students who attend the seminar

Abstract

Automated writing evaluation (AWE) platforms can enhance writing instruction and development. With advancements in AI technology, the potential of AWE platforms to transform educational experiences and outcomes is even greater. This presentation will focus on the latest research on AWE and share insights from the development of an in-house AWE platform. I will start by reviewing the most recent literature on AWE, with an emphasis on its impact on writers. Building on this understanding, I will share our team’s experience in creating our in-house AWE platform for undergraduate research writing and discuss the rationale behind our design and pedagogical decisions. This will be followed by a study on learners’ perceptions of and engagement with the platform. The challenges encountered in platform development and directions for future work will also be discussed.

Bio

Steven Yeung is Senior Lecturer at the English Language Teaching Unit of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). He received a PhD in Applied Linguistics and Education from IOE, University College London (UCL). His research interests include sociolinguistics, language and political economy and technology-enhanced language learning.

ENG Departmental Seminar – ‘To leave you with…’: Bridging the Gap in Stance and Engagement between TED Talks and L2 Student Digital Oratory

September 30, 2024

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The Department of English cordially invites you to join our departmental seminar, ‘To leave you with…’: Bridging the Gap in Stance and Engagement between TED Talks and L2 Student Digital Oratory, to be organized on 10 October 2024 (Thursday). Date: 10 October 2024 (Thursday) Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm Venue: Room A315, S H Ho Academic Building Speaker: Dr. Michelle Huang, Assistant Professor, Department of…

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Student Life

News & Events

ENG Departmental Seminar – H.C. Andersen Series (2 Seminars)

ENG Departmental Seminar – Tackling the lack of expertise in language acquisition and misleading beliefs in second language teaching: Suggesting the way forward.

DEPARTMENT NEWS – Rediscover Andersen’s Fairy Tales

Media Coverage

Radio Episodes

Public Lecture: Paris Olympics and the History of the Game

Music Performance: Voices of the Silver Screen

ENG Departmental Seminar – How Do L2 Learners Understand Functional Adequacy in TBLT?

The Year of Hans Christian Andersen

The year of hans christian andersen: creative writing, art illustration, & video story-telling competitions

Voices of the Silver Screen – Music Video Competition

ENG Departmental Seminar – Developing an AI-powered automated writing evaluation (AWE) platform: Insights and challenges

ENG Departmental Seminar – ‘To leave you with…’: Bridging the Gap in Stance and Engagement between TED Talks and L2 Student Digital Oratory

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