Hong Kong students tackle Aussie English in context

January 23, 2007

Nineteen students have just returned to their university in Hong Kong after a two-week "language and cultural immersion" experience in Armidale, NSW.

The students, who stayed with families in and around Armidale and attended practical English classes at the University of New England, learnt how to apply their English language skills in a variety of new cultural contexts.

They are all in their first year of studies at Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST). It was that university's international program called LIBRA (for "Language Immersion by Residence Abroad") that brought them to Armidale and UNE.

Mark Cooper, Deputy Director of Studies in UNE's English Language Centre, said it was the first time UNE had been involved in the LIBRA program, and added that he and his colleagues were keen for that involvement to continue. Mr Cooper developed a program of academic and cultural activities for the students that enabled them to successfully engage with a broad cross-section of Australians. He said that, because they had arrived with a high level of competence in English, they had been able to focus on more complex, culturally oriented communication strategies.

Melissa Megan, a former teacher in UNE's English Language Centre who now teaches at HKUST, escorted the students to Armidale. She explained that their experience of domestic life with their host families was an important part of the program.

The students confirmed that their immersion in the lives of their host families had been illuminating. One of them, Koon Kong, said it had been "a wonderful opportunity to experience Australian culture". He, like his fellow students, commented on the friendliness of Australian families, and the fact that "you can ask them about anything". Steve and Jacqueline Weir of Uralla, who hosted Koon Kong for a week, said it had been "a wonderful, positive experience" for them and their young daughter Evie.

Ms Megan said that, in its placement of students abroad, the LIBRA program avoided big cities like Hong Kong. "This ensures that they have a very different experience," she said. The students commented appreciatively on the healthy natural environment of New England, the bigger living spaces (compared to the small city apartments of Hong Kong), and the slower pace of life. They also commented on differences in teaching styles between Hong Kong and Australia. (They were used to a strictly academic approach to teaching and learning, while their UNE experience had included many learning activities that, while designed to be educational and challenging, were also meant to be fun.)

During their two-week stay, the students saw a wide range of landscapes – from beaches to rainforest and tablelands – and visited museums and galleries to gain further insight into Australian culture and history. They were particularly interested in Aboriginal culture, and learnt how to throw a boomerang. Each of the students made a terracotta tile at Rick and Susanne Hatch's "Weemala" Pottery near Armidale, and took the tile back with them to Hong Kong.

"Overall, the experience was educational for both the Hong Kong students and the staff of the UNE English Language Centre," Mr Cooper said. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology."

THE PHOTOGRAPH displayed here shows Mark Cooper (right) with one of the HKUST students, Jacky Ma. It expands to include the coordinator of this month's LIBRA program at UNE, Cindy Schneider.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at January 23, 2007 04:59 PM