Welcome to the Department of English Language Education at The Education University of Hong Kong!
The Department has around 25 culturally diverse full-time academic and teaching staff representing ten different countries, around ten part-time teachers, and ten support staff in administration and research. Our aim is to provide first-class English language education with a focus on the pedagogical, linguistic and communicative skills and expertise needed to succeed in the context of primary and secondary education in Hong Kong, as well as in other local and global workplaces.
Despite the increased use of AI and other forms of digital technology, the ability to engage in human communication, competently and effectively, across diverse languages and cultures has never been more important. The Department of English Language Education is leading engagement with recent developments, including the critical and ethically responsible use of AI. Through our teaching and research, and through collaboration with schools and teachers across Hong Kong and internationally, we are responding to new educational needs and opportunities.
Our teaching and research address some of the most pressing questions facing education today, including how languages are learned, how AI is transforming teaching and assessment, how digital technologies are changing communication, and how education can foster intercultural competence and global citizenship. Our main research areas include teacher education, second language writing, computer-assisted language learning, AI in language teaching and learning, minority student education, intercultural education, language policy and planning, and AI-powered language assessment.
Connecting research and practice, we provide courses to the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered by the Faculty of Humanities focusing on English language studies and digital communication. We also offer Professional Development Programmes to in-service teachers, departmental seminars open to the public, school-based support to front-line practitioners, and a range of General Education courses.
The Department has four thematic focus areas which broadly represent our research expertise and supervisory capabilities in our research postgraduate degree programme: (1) Identity, agency and empowerment in language learning; (2) Content-centric English language education; (3) Digital media and AI in global English education; and (4) Multiliteracies and intercultural literacies.
We invite you to read more about our activities in teaching, research and service on this website, and on the Faculty of Humanities website.
Hans J Ladegaard
Head of Department