In English Medium Instruction (EMI) programmes, students learn content subjects through English, their second language (L2). While it has been argued that students can develop their L2 alongside their content knowledge, the L2 goal is not always clearly defined. For example, we do not know enough about the amount of vocabulary required for success in EMI, and the subject-specific language demanded by different content subjects. Some attempts have been made to identify the language demand in EMI concerning the vocabulary used in learning materials and classroom discourse, representing the ‘process’ dimension of research; however, in order to clearly define the language goal, it is crucial to also delve into the ‘product dimension’, pointing to the need for research on EMI assessment. To address the research gap, our study examined 16 sets of papers containing two subjects, namely Biology and Geography, spanning eight years from a high-stakes examination in Hong Kong. The examination is conducted at the end of Secondary Six (Grade 12) to determine university admission and can thus be regarded as what learners are expected to achieve in secondary education. Our investigation into the vocabulary profiles of the examination papers indicates that students needed to learn beyond the K1−K3 (the most frequency 3000 words in English) and master the mid-frequency words (K4−K8) as well as academic words. It also reveals that the less frequent vocabulary items were not often shared by the subjects. Further, the analysis of academic words suggests how some words were commonly used in the examination papers of the two subjects, and others more subject-specific. Pedagogical implications are discussed to highlight the need for teachers and students to attend to the target language goal in EMI and to consider the subject-specific nature of the vocabulary items in EMI. Copyright © 2022 ICELEAL.

This article reports on a study exploring primary students’ after-class social interactions in English vocabulary acquisition using a mobile learner-generated-content (m-LGC) tool. A total number of 29 grade 4 students from an elementary school in Hong Kong were involved. A case study approach was adopted. Data collection included log data on the m-LGC tool and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis included content analysis, visualisation using Gephi, and thematic analysis. The results show two types of students’ social interactions in a m-LGC learning environment. The interview results indicate that students held different perceptions of social interactions using the m-LGC tool. The implications are discussed. Copyright © 2022 Yin Yang, Yanjie Song.

Perusall, a web-based collaborative reading platform characterised by its social annotation functionalities, was introduced in a postgraduate teacher-training language-awareness course in Hong Kong during the shift to online teaching and learning brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Tasks were designed on Perusall to engage the participants in reading the literature and references on grammar and lexis teaching and in analyses of coursebook materials and classroom-teaching excerpts. In this article, I discuss why Perusall was adopted, the pedagogic innovations at different stages, the impact this had on sharpening participants’ teacher language awareness, and the implications this has for both teacher education and language learning. I aim to highlight how autonomy can be fostered via effective task design and student-centred pedagogies. I maintain that it is not just the platform that matters but how Perusall is utilised with a strategic blend of synchronous and asynchronous classroom activities and instructor intervention to promote teacher language-awareness gains and the empowerment of teachers as grammar specialists and critical coursebook analysts and users. © The Author(s) 2023.

This study investigates the impact of Filipina domestic workers (FilDWs), a marginalized group in Hong Kong (HK), on HK children's language development. It focusses on FilDWs' influence on the second language (L2) English of bilingual HK primary school children attending an English Medium of Instruction school. The elements investigated are L2 English spoken complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF), and reading accuracy and fluency. Participants comprise 34 children (17 boys and 17 girls, mean age 8;11) from homes with FilDWs and 30 (15 boys and 15 girls, mean age 8;11) from homes with no FilDW. Participants completed an English reading and speaking task, and an English working memory capacity (WMC) test. Participants from households with FilDWs scored significantly higher on all aspects of both English language measures, while no significant differences for WMC were observed. These suggest that FilDWs exert a positive impact on children's L2 English proficiency, placing them in a different position to the low status they are usually ascribed. These findings have implications for decolonizing and decentring language learning and teaching. Copyright ©2023 Oxford University Press.

This study investigated instruction in vocabulary consolidation strategies over eight months and vocabulary learning among a group of secondary students in Hong Kong. Two vocabulary tests and one vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) questionnaire survey were administered near the end of the school year. The data were analysed using t-tests and correlation coefficients. The results show that the eight-month VLSs instruction was significantly correlated with students' vocabulary knowledge. It was also found that: (1) students favoured cognitive strategies and word analysis strategies to other VLSs; (2) more successful learners employed a wider variety of VLSs than less successful learners, with significant, positive correlations found between the repertoire of strategies and vocabulary performance; and (3) the strategies taught were effective for students' vocabulary learning and were significant predictors of more successful students. Students' responses from group discussions revealed their positive experiences with learning VLSs through explicit instruction, supporting the effectiveness of consolidation strategies. This study adds to the limited research literature on the role of VLSs instruction for EFL secondary learners. Strategies conducive to vocabulary learning and the implications of this study are discussed. Copyright © 2023 Routledge.

Given the significant role vocabulary plays in second language acquisition, how to help learners acquire vocabulary has always been a concern for educators. Despite the general consensus that beliefs influence learners' behaviour, limited research effort has been devoted to the exploration of English as a second language (ESL) learners' beliefs about vocabulary knowledge and learning in the secondary education context and how their beliefs are affected by such factors as grades and proficiency levels. This paper reports on a convergent mixed-methods study that addresses the research gap with the use of a questionnaire administered to 556 ESL students in a Hong Kong secondary school. Results revealed that while students in general perceived vocabulary learning as important, their beliefs about vocabulary knowledge and learning were found to be related to their grade and proficiency levels. Open-ended responses provided further insights into learners' beliefs qualitatively about the difficulties faced by learners and their perceptions of the effective ways to tackle these difficulties. Overall, this paper broadens the understanding of L2 learners' beliefs about vocabulary knowledge and learning. It complements existing literature on L2 vocabulary learning and sheds light on issues related to vocabulary learning and teaching. Copyright © 2023 Routledge.

Self-regulated reading-to-write (R2W) can be portrayed as learners' proactive learning of useful elements (e.g. content, rhetorical features, and conventions) from reading by using strategies, which is an effective mechanism connecting reading and writing, to improve their writing competence. In the present study, six major types of self-regulated R2W strategies, i.e. mining reading, writerly reading, cognitive strategies, purposive reading, recalling while writing, and peer revision reading that can contribute to writing competence were included in the proposed self-regulated R2W framework. Importantly, a self-regulated R2W scale was established to understand the impacts of four types of strategies. Participants were 458 primary students (9 to 13 years old, M = 10.12, SD = 0.62) in Hong Kong. They completed the self-regulated R2W questionnaire along with motivational variables and a writing competence test. The motivational variables (i.e. self-efficacy and perceived task values) were positively related to self-regulated R2W strategy use. Important differences in self-regulated R2W strategy use among the high, average, and low achievers were identified. Results indicated that self-regulated R2W strategy use had positive impacts on writing competence. This is the first time that reading-to-write is proposed from a self-regulated learning perspective in ESL/EFL school contexts. The self-regulated R2W framework, scale and positive impacts of strategy use on writing have important implications for future research and practices. Copyright © 2023 SAGE Publications.

English-medium instruction (EMI) is taking hold within higher education in non-Anglophone settings, but there is insufficient research into the challenges students encounter when taking EMI courses online. This exploratory quantitative study conducted in Hong Kong examines the language and studying challenges faced by undergraduate students when in-person classes were suspended due to COVID-19. One hundred thirteen first- and second-year students completed a questionnaire, rating their perceived challenges in the areas of writing, speaking, reading, listening, and study skills. The results showed that they faced particular challenges with reading and study skills (especially self-motivation), as well as vocabulary range, which affected more than one skill. Corroborating existing research, students with less secondary school EMI experience reported greater challenges. As providing English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses is a primary way to support the language skills of students in EMI settings, we offer guidance to EAP practitioners who seek to help their students overcome the challenges identified in this article. As online technology continues to deliver content in tertiary education, EAP courses must be closely aligned with the language and study skills needs of students in digital EMI environments. Copyright © 2023 by the authors.

Fifty-five Chinese kindergarten teachers from Shenzhen (n = 38) and Hong Kong (n = 17) were surveyed to discern their beliefs and reported practices about multiple literacies related to e-learning and knowledge management. Results indicated that: (1) Shenzhen teachers had a better knowledge about multiple literacies and facilitated the development of multiple literacies in their students more than their counterparts from Hong Kong; (2) Teachers' educational attainment and their beliefs did not predict the multiple literacies practice; and (3) after controlling for these variables, child-PC ratio significantly contributed to the variation in multiple literacies practice. Educational implications and challenges associated with teacher education are discussed. Copyright © 2009 Laboratory for Knowledge Management & E-Learning, The University of Hong Kong.

Reading is a multidimensional process that has evolved through history to adapt to accommodate environmental changes. Today, reading continues to evolve to meet the demands of globalization. The study examined the complex connection between curriculum, teachers, and students. To explore and research the relationship between stakeholders in the English reading curriculum, primarily policymakers, teachers, and students. The author selected English reading education for Hong Kong secondary students as a case study. Current and prior literature suggests that English reading to English Second Language Learners (ESL) focuses on the general perceptions and motivations of ESL learning and teaching. However, minimal research focuses on Chinese learners' self-perception of ESL reading, teachers’ beliefs and practices, curriculum interpretation, implementation, and intent. Therefore, examining, understanding, and identifying the relationship between Curriculum Intentions and Classroom Realities is essential.The objective of the study was threefold (1) to find the relations between learning and teaching and the perceptions of students, (2) to identify teachers' interpretations of the English reading curriculum and how their beliefs and classroom practices could affect the implementation of curriculum, and (3) the alignment of ESL reading lessons prescribed by the Education Bureau of Hong Kong policymakers and the teachers’ implementation in class.There were 250 junior form students participants and 24 English teachers. Questionnaires, semi-formal interviews, lesson observations, and focus group discussions were employed for data collection.The results highlighted four themes around the area of (i) teachers' efficacy of curriculum interpretation, (ii) challenges affecting beliefs and classroom practice for the implementation of curriculum, (iii) students' understanding of the intent of curriculum, and (iv) the misalignments of curriculum intentions and classroom realities. The points