Dr Mable CHAN
Senior Lecturer


Qualifications:
B.A. (Hons) in English and Translation, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
M.Phil. in English (General/Applied Linguistics), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (English), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
PhD in Language and Linguistics, University of Essex, UK
Telephone: 3411 5041
Email:?mablechan@hkbu.edu.hk
Office: OEE1011
SCOPUS ID: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55423877300
ORCID ID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0821-1692
ResearchGate: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mable_Chan/



BIO
Dr Chan obtained her B.A. (Hons) in English and Translation, MPhil in English (General/Applied Linguistics), and Postgraduate Diploma in Education with Distinction (The Chinese University of Hong Kong), as well as a PhD in Language and Linguistics (University of Essex, UK). Before joining Hong Kong Baptist University, Dr Chan taught in secondary schools and the Department of English of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for more than 20 years. Her main research interests include second language acquisition (SLA) at the interface with language education, and professional/workplace communication. In terms of the first area, her training as generative grammarian under Roger Hawkins and Vivian Cook (at the University of Essex, where she did her PhD) has led her to develop work on how instruction can support the second language development of English as a foreign language student. In terms of her second main area of research, which focuses on workplace/professional communication, she examines the communicative needs and communicative competence of Chinese professionals in the Hong Kong workplace. Dr Chan authored a business communication book, entitled English for Business Communication, for Routledge, a prestigious international publisher. It was recently published in January 2020 to fill the niche for a research-oriented business communication book. Please see this link for details about the uniqueness of the book, contents and reviews: https://www.routledge.com/English-for-Business-Communication-1st-Edition/Chan/p/book/9781138481688?fbclid=IwAR15Mh0RxWYbyW_VscXX9kKlzN2q1dKZ40TF53XHZrKgSB6zmH-R8wC34X0. With the recent award of a grant of about $900,000 from the Standing Committee of Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) for a research project entitled Communicative Needs of Chinese professionals in Hong Kong, more exciting and significant findings will be obtained to better our understanding of workplace communicative needs.
Dr Chan received the Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching twice (2004/2005; 2010/2011). She also secured key external grants from: University Grants Committee (GRF: $677,300), and Standing Committee of Language Education and Research ($882,286.9).



TEACHING AREAS
Second language acquisition (SLA)
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
English for Specific Purposes
Workplace communication
Academic communication



PUBLICATIONS
Journal Articles
Chan, M. (2019). The role of classroom input: Processing instruction, traditional instruction, and implicit instruction in the acquisition of the English simple past by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong. System, 80, 246-256. doi: 10.1016/j.system.2018.12.003
Chan, M. (2018). Processing instruction in helping map forms and meaning in second language acquisition of the English simple past. Journal of Educational Research, 111(6), 720- 732. doi: 10.1080/00220671.2017.1411879
Chan, M. (2016). Teachers’ cognition about teaching and learning of simple past tense: Can processing instruction help? Open Journal of Modern Linguistics, 6(4), 329-371. doi.org/10.4236/ojml.2016.64033
Chan, M. (2015). Language learner autonomy and learning contract: A case study of language majors of a university in Hong Kong. Open Journal of Modern Linguistics, 5, 147-180. doi:10.4236/ojml.2015. 52013
Chan, M. (2014). Communicative needs in the workplace and curriculum development of business English courses. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 77(4), 376-408. doi: 10.1177/232949
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Books
Chan, M. (forthcoming in 2023). Teaching business English. London: Routledge.
Chan, M. (Ed.). (forthcoming in 2022). Perspectives on teaching workplace English in the 21st century. London: Routledge.
Chan, M. & Benati, A. (Eds.). (forthcoming in June 2021). Challenges encountered by Chinese ESL learners in L2 acquisition: Problems and solutions from complementary perspectives. New York: Springer.
Chan, M. (January 2020). English for business communication. London: Routledge.
Chan, M. (2015). 《職場英語2: 知錯能改》[Common errors in workplace English]. Hong Kong: World Publishing.
Chan, M. (2014). Acquisition of ‘be’ by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong and its pedagogical implications. Bern: Peter Lang.
Cheng, W., Chan, M., Chiu, H., Kwok, A., Lam, K. H., Lam, K. M. K., Lim, G., & Wright, R. (2014). Enhancing students’ professional competence and generic qualities through writing in English across the curriculum. Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Chan, M. (2013).《職場英語》 [Workplace English]. Hong Kong: World Publishing.
Chan, M. (2009). 《職時上位：名人英語全面睇》[Master your English in the workplace]. Hong Kong: World Publishing.
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Book chapters
Chan, M. (forthcoming in 2022). What Chinese professionals consider most significant and challenging in having spoken communication in the workplace. In M. Chan (Ed.), Perspectives of teaching workplace English in the 21st century. London: Routledge.
Chan, M. (forthcoming in June 2021). Perception of local English teachers and Cantonese ESL students towards learning and pedagogy of English articles. In M. Chan & A. Benati (Eds.), Challenges Encountered by Chinese ESL learners in L2 acquisition: Problems and solutions from complementary perspectives. New York: Springer.
Chan, M. (forthcoming in June 2021). Teaching and learning of English tense by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong. In M. Chan & A. Benati (Eds.), Challenges Encountered by Chinese ESL learners in L2 acquisition: Problems and solutions from complementary perspectives. New York: Springer.
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Book review
Chan, M. (2011). Review of communicating internationally in English by B. Dignen and I. McMaster, ELT Journal, 66(2), 271-273. doi: 10.1093/elt/ccs012



RESEARCH GRANTS
2018 Communicative needs of Chinese professionals in Hong Kong (funded $882,286.9 by Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) (PI)
2017 Articles in Cantonese/English interlanguage (a GRF proposal, obtained a rating of 3.5 (i.e. fundable but not funded) and internally funded $105,000) (PI)
2016 Articles in Cantonese/English interlangauge (a 3.5 GRF proposal internally funded: $105,000) (PI)
2016 Reflective writing as an active learning tool: A case study of year 1 English major students of a university in Hong Kong ($49,087.5: Dean’s Reserve) (PI)
2015 Exploring structural moves and lexico-grammatical patterns of workplace texts: A corpus approach ($100,000: Dean’s Reserve) (PI)
2013 The role of pedagogical intervention: Acquisition of tense by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong ($677,300: University Grants Committee (UGC), a General Research Fund (GRF) project) (PI)
2013 L2 acquisition of tense and aspect by Cantonese and Mandarin ESL learners of different proficiency levels ($80,000: PolyU-Tsinghua U Centre for Language Sciences) (PI)
2012 Grammar stories: Maximizing students’ learning outcomes in grammar courses ($80,000: Dean’s Reserve) (PI)
2011 Enhancing students’ professional competence and generic qualities through reading, discussing and writing in English across the curriculum ($940,000: Learning and Teaching Development Grants of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region) (CI)
2011 A diachronic analysis of temporal and modal constructions in Indo-European and Asian languages, with implications for L2 acquisition ($80,000: Departmental Research Grant (DRG)) (CI)
2011 From empirical findings to pedagogical implications: Diachronic perspectives to grammar stories ($80,000: Departmental Learning and Teaching Committee (DLTC)) (PI)
2010 Processing instruction and acquisition of tense by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong ($105,000: a 3.5 GRF proposal internally funded) (PI)
2010 Doctor-patient communication in Hong Kong: Alignment, issues and implications ($83,000: Internal Competitive Research Grant) (PI)
2010 Dialogue with the workplace: Optimizing students’ learning outcomes in business English courses ($80,000: Learning and Teaching Committee (LTC) small-scale projects) (PI)
2010 What learning contract reveals about Cantonese ESL learners’ attitude towards English language learning and the pedagogical implications ($80,000: DLTC funding) (PI)
2007 Tertiary students’ perceptions on the importance and use of teacher feedback in Hong Kong ($80,000: DLTC funding) (PI)
Total External Research Grants secured as PI: HK$1,559,586,9 (over 1.5 million)Total Internal Research Grants secured as PI: HK$1,027,087.5 (over 1 million)



CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Chan, M. (2021, February). Communicative needs of Chinese professionals in Hong Kong. Paper to be presented at the 28th KOTESOL International Conference Re-envisioning ELT Altogether, All Together, 19-28 February 2021, Seoul, South Korea.
Chan, M. (2021, January). Spoken challenges faced By Chinese professionals communicating in the workplace. Paper presented at The HKCPD Hub International Conference 2020 for University English Teachers, 8-10 January 2021, Hong Kong.
Chan, M. (2020, November). Genre analysis of persuasive texts: sales correspondence, invitations and charity appeals, and pedagogical implications. Paper presented at Asia TEFL Conference, 26-28 November 2020. Seoul, South Korea.
Chan, M. (2020, October). Genre analysis of persuasive texts: sales correspondence, invitations and charity appeals, and pedagogical implications. Paper presented at the 2020 TESPA International Conference on English for Specific Purposes, 16-17 October 2020, Taiwan.
Chan, M. (2019, June). Acquisition of functional categories by Chinese ESL learners. Colloquia at TEFL International, 27-29 June 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chan, M. (2018, December). Teacher perceptions of Cantonese learners’ difficulties with English articles. Paper presented at The 5th International Conference on Foreign Language Learning and Teaching (FLLT 2018). Duangtawan Hotel, 7-8 December 2018, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Chan, M. (2018, October). Teacher perceptions of Cantonese learners’ difficulties with English articles. Paper presented at The 2018 Korea TESOL International Conference. Sookmyung Women’s University, 13-14 October 2018, Seoul, Korea.
Chan, M. (2018, June). Reflective level of English major undergraduate students in a local university in Hong Kong and pedagogical implications. Paper presented at The 16th Asia TEFL, 1st MAAL & 6th HAAL International Conference. University of Macau, 27-29 June 2018, Macau.
Chan, M. (2018, May). Reflective level of English major undergraduate students in a local university in Hong Kong and pedagogical implications. Paper presented at The 3rd Global Educators Network (Teaching English Foreign Language) International Conference. 11-13 May 2018, Novotel City Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Chan, M. (2017, December). Role of pedagogical intervention: Acquisition of English simple past by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong. Paper presented at 3rd International Conference on Linguistics and Language Studies, 29 June 2017, Hong Kong.
Chan, M. (2016, June). Exploring structural moves and lexio-grammatical patterns of workplace texts: A corpus approach. Paper presented at the 15th International Conference on Language and Social Psychology, 22 – 25 June 2016, Thailand.
Chan, M. (2016, May). Processing instruction and acquisition of tense. Invited featured talk at Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (MELTA) 25th International Conference, 30 May – 1 June 2016, Malaysia.
Chan, M. (2016, May). Processing instruction and English simple past. Paper presented at 5th CELC (Centre for English Language Communication) Symposium, 25 – 27 May 2016, Singapore.
Chan, M. (2015, September). Persuasive writing at workplace: A corpus linguistic approach. Paper presented at 2015 ALAK International Conference, 19 September 2015, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Chan, M. (2015, June). L2 acquisition of tense and aspect by Cantonese and Mandarin ESL learners of different proficiency. Paper presented at Changing English: Integrating cognitive, social & typological perspectives, the University of Helsinki, 8-10 June 2015, Finland.
Chan, M. (2015, January). Processing instruction and learning of tense. Workshop at 13th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education (HICAH), 9-13 January 2015, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Chan, M. (2014, August). Processing instruction and teaching and learning of tense. Workshop at 17th World Congress of the International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA), 10-15 August 2014, Brisbane, Australia.
Chan, M. (2014, August). What Chinese professionals expect from a business English course: Quantitative and corpus data. Paper presented at 17th World Congress of the International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA), 10-15 August 2014, Brisbane, Australia.
Chan, M. (2013, October). Acquisition of tense: Findings concerning how English simple past tense is taught and learned in Hong Kong. Paper presented at The 9th International Symposium on Teaching English at Tertiary Level (ISTETL 9), 18-20 October 2013, Hangzhou, China.
Chan, M. (2013, July). Teaching and learning of the English simple past in Hong Kong primary classrooms. Paper presented at International Conference on English Linguistics, 3-6 July 2013, Seoul, Korea.
Chan, M. (2013, May). What makes a business English course effective: Voices from Chinese professionals in Hong Kong. Paper presented at International Conference on Applied Foreign Languages, 23-24 May 2013, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Chan, M. (2012, December). Four constructs in health communication. Paper presented at Applied English and Professional Practice, ALAPP, 5-8 December 2012, Sydney, Australia.
Chan, M. (2012, September). Acquisition of be by Cantonese ESL learners: Implications for L2 acquisition of tense and aspect. Paper presented at EuroSLA 22-22nd Annual Conference of the European Second Language Association, Adam Mickiewicz University, 6-8 September 2012, Poznań, Poland.
Chan, M. (2012, August/September). Learning autonomy of tertiary students in Hong Kong. Paper presented at Independent Learning Association 2012 Conference, Victoria University of Wellington, 30 August to 2 September 2012, Wellington, New Zealand.
Chan, M. (2012, August). Tailoring business English courses to meet students’ communicative needs in the workplace. Paper presented at The 8th ISTE & 17th International Conference of PAAL, Tsinghua University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 20-24 August 2012, Beijing, China.
Chan, M. (2012, June). Narrowing the gap between workplace needs and business English learning in the classroom. Paper presented at Canada International Conference on Education (CICE), University of Guelph, 18-21 June 2012, Ontario, Canada.
Chan, M. (2012, March). Dialogue with the workplace: Optimizing students’ learning outcomes in business English courses. Paper presented at Crossing Boundaries: Working and Communicating in the Asia Pacific Region, 13-15 March 2012, Los Angeles, CA.
Chan, M., Matthiessen, C. M.I.M., & Yap, F. H. (2011, August). Acquisition of tense and aspect. Symposium conducted at The 16th World Congress of Applied Linguistics (AILA 2011), 23-28 August 2011, Beijing.
Chan, M. (2011, July). Crucial moments of interaction of doctor-patient communication in Hong Kong. Paper presented at Ninth Interdisciplinary Conference: Communication, Medicine & Ethics (COMET), 30 June to 2 July 2011, Nottingham, UK.
Chan, M. (2011, June). Doctor-patient communication in Hong Kong: A case study of PolyU clinic. Paper presented at Applied English and Professional Practice, ALAPP, 23-24 June 2011, Cardiff, UK.
Chan, M. (2011, April). Acquisition of be by Cantonese ESL learners: Implications for L2 acquisition of tense and aspect. Paper presented at CHORNOS 10 International Conference on Tense, Aspect and Modality, 18-20 April 2011, Birmingham, UK.
Chan, M. (2010, June). Acquisition of be by Cantonese ESL learners: Missing surface inflection or impairment? Paper presented at Seoul International Conference on Linguistics, 23-25 June 2010, Korea.
Chan, M. (2010, June). Acquisition of be by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong and its pedagogical implications. Paper presented at the 10th Annual Conference of the Japan Second Language Association, 12-13 June 2010, Japan.
Chan, M. (2010, January). The role of work-integrated education (WIE): Optimizing students’ learning outcomes in business English courses. Paper presented at Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, 13-16 January 2010, Honolulu, Hawai‘i.
Chan, M. (2009, December). What learning contract reveals about university students’ attitude towards English language learning. Paper presented at Annual Research Forum, Hong Kong Association of Applied Linguistics, 12 December 2009, Hong Kong.
Chan, M. (2009, November). Tertiary students’ perceptions on the importance and use of teacher feedback in Hong Kong. Paper presented at International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, 16-19 November 2009, Madrid, Spain.
Chan, M. (2009, July). What learning contract reveals about university students’ attitude towards English language learning. Paper presented at the 16th International Conference on Learning, 1-4 July 2009, Barcelona, Spain.
Chan, M. (2008, December). Acquisition of be by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong and its pedagogical implications. Paper presented at Annual Research Forum, the Linguistics Society of Hong Kong, 11 December 2008, Hong Kong.
Chan, M. (2007, June). Acquisition of be by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong and its pedagogical implications. Paper presented at the 4th International Symposium of Teaching English at Tertiary Level, 9-10 June 2007, Hong Kong.



PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Invited as the Member of the Curriculum Development Council-Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (CDC-HKEAA) Committee on English Language (from 30 August 2019 to 2021)
Member of the organizing committee of The 16th Asia TEFL, 1st MAAL & 6th HAAL International Conference (27 to 29 June 2018)
Committee Member (i.e. Secretary) of Hong Kong Association for Applied Linguistics (HAAL)
Member of Linguistic Society of Hong Kong (LSHK)
Member of Association for Business Communication (ABC)
Internal Member of Research Centre for Professional Communication in Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (till June 2020)
Regular Member of PolyU-Tsinghua U Centre for Language Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (till June 2020)
Editors/Reviewer for Journals:Reviewer,?Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching Education
Reviewer,?English for Specific Purposes
Reviewer,?Language Teaching Research
Reviewer,?Applied Linguistics
Reviewer,?Studies in Higher Education
Assistant Editor,?Journal of English for Academic Purposes?(2001-2002)
Reviewer,?Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education
Reviewer,?English Language Teaching Journal
Reviewer,?Language Policy
Reviewer,?Language and Communication
Reviewer,?Language and Intercultural Communication
Reviewer,?System
Reviewer,?Oxford Review of Education
Reviewer,?Educational Research Journal
Reviewer,?International Journal of Education Development
Reviewer,?Essex Graduate Student Papers in Language and Linguistics
Reviewer,?Journal of Applied Communication Research
Assistant Editor,?Journal of Assessing Writing?(2001-2002)
Reviewer,?Asia-Pacific Education Researcher?(TAPE)
Reviewer,?Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Reviewer,?Language and Communication
Reviewer,?Open Journal of Modern Linguistics
Reviewer,?Language and Education
Reviewer,?Journal of Global Research in Education and Social Science
Reviewer,?ELF Annual Research Journal
Reviewer,?Asian Journal of English Language Teaching
Reviewer,?Journal of Asia TEFL
Reviewer,?L1 Educational Studies in Language and Literature
Reviewer,?Asian ESP Journal
Reviewer,?Journal of Business and Behavioral Sciences
Article Editor, SAGE?Open?(Manuscript entitled?“Peer Engagement to Augment English Learning (PETAEL): Literature Synthesis to Support a Conceptual Model”)
Reviewer,?Journal of Teacher Education
Reviewer for Conferences:The ABC 85th Annual International Conference (Oct 2020)
The The 16th Asia TEFL, 1st MAAL & 6th HAAL International Conference (2018)
TESOL Conference (July 2018)
WACE’s 17th World Conference (2011)
Sixth International Conference on Discourse, Communication and the Enterprise DICOEN VI
The HAAL Annual Research Forum (2009; 2011; 2016)
The 3rd, 5th and 7th International Symposium on Teaching English at the Tertiary Level (2007; 2009; 2011)
Reviewer for Grant Proposals:Research and Development Projects 2021-22 of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR)
Competitive Research Funding for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector under Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong (2017, 2015, 2014)
Services to Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ):Panel member for accreditation/re-accreditation of English language programmes offered by private organizations and non-UGC funded tertiary institutions (since 2014)
External Advisor / Reviewer of English language programmesHong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) (since 2012)
Community College of City University – English courses in the proposed B.A. in English and Communication offered by (October 2018)
Writer of English columns:English column in MingPao called 周街學英文 (since September 2015)
Invited by MingPao Dr DSE to address students’ English problems. The first issue concerns vocabulary retention, available on 18 September 2018.
Business English column in the HKIAAT (Hong Kong Institute of Accredited Accounting Technicians Limited) newsletter (a bi-monthly publication)
Invited to be the writing assessor of Institute’s Test of English Language Proficiency (ITELP) by The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) (2015-2018).
Invited by HKIATT to prepare teaching materials for Business, Accounting and Financial Studies (BAFS) teachers concerning how to teach the component of business communication (September 2011)
Adjudicator:The Hong Kong English Public Speaking Contest organized by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and The Standard Chartered (2009-11, 2015-16)
6th Inter-universities Speech Contest (English Stream) organized by Metro Lions Cup (preliminary section)
Business Presentation Campaign (about presenting innovative ideas for developing a new business) organized for the BALSP year 1 students (2005/2006)
English writing competition for the Mentorship Day (2003-2004)
Invited by TVB programme:?Scoop?(東張西望) to share views on a survey released in November 2015 indicating the falling English standard of Hong Kong people (19 November 2014).
Interviewed by Recruit about English learning tips for working adults. Details can be found online in the 1 November 2013 issue:?http://recruit.com.hk/Resources/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleId=28883
Guest in a video series about best teaching practices: use of learning contract (self-access work) to promote students’ autonomous learning. This was filmed and coordinated by Educational Development Centre (EDC) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
TV host of a programme teaching English pronunciation; use of slang/informal expressions in movies and vocabulary of different kinds (from October 2012 to March 2013)
Invited to be a guest for the?English Basic Competency Enrichment Programme- Professional Tips on Capturing ‘A’?interview organized by e-Education Publishing Ltd devoted to the development of education in Hong Kong. This interview, conducted on 23 February 2010, is for a free online learning platform for enhancing the English proficiency level of secondary school students.



INVITED SEMINARS AND TALKS
From conference poster to publication in language and teaching journals: Tips from editors. ELC and PolyU library, 9 May 2018 (Other speakers included Professor Icy Lee and Professor Jette G. Hansen Edwards).
Processing instruction and tense acquisition, HK Association for Applied Linguistics, 30 March 2017.
周街學英文 [Language awareness and common errors in English], Rhenish Church College, 8 December 2016.
Acquisition of tense by Cantonese ESL learners and how processing instruction might help acquisition of tense by Cantonese ESL learners, keynote presentation at 18th International Conference on Linguistic and Generative Grammar Theory, 6 December 2016.
Interviewing skills for you and your kids, World Publishing Company, 28 November 2015.
Conveying persuasive messages?(for students of Korean programme), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 4 February 2015.
English language learning?(for primary school students), PolyU English Camp at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 4 August 2014.
Research paper writing skill?(workshop for DEd students), Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT), 10 May 2014.
Teaching business communication, one-day intensive course for Korean teachers teaching the diplomats, 28 January 2014.
Business writing skill?(training workshop for Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation), Hong Kong Productivity Council, 19 July 2013.
Business proposal writing skills?(for the participants of a 6-day case competition on?Corporate Social Responsibility), AIESEC, 5 March 2013.
Business proposal writing seminar?(for participants in the Accounting and Business Management Case Competition), HKIAAT, December 2012; January 2010 and November 2009.
Learning English: Myths and strategies?(for secondary students in Tin Shui Wai and Sham Shui Po), 22 January 2011.
Writing in a second language: Challenges, strategies and implications?(EPPRS workshop for postgraduate students), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 20 May 2011 and 18 May 2010.
Master your English in the workplace for youngsters, Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.), 29 July 2010.
Learning English: myths and strategies for secondary school leavers?(a summer programme “PolyU Experiential Visit- A Road to your Professional Life”), Academic Secretariat of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 15 July 2010.
Tense and aspect?(Lecture series), South China Normal University, 14 May 2010 (Other speakers included Professor Christian Matthiessen and Dr Yap Foong Ha).
Use of plain English?(Bookfest@ Hong Kong?Joy to the Reading World), Popular Holdings Limited, 31 December 2009.



AWARDS
2013/14 Finalist for the 2013-14 HKAH First Book Prize (The Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities) for the book Acquisition of ‘be’ by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong and its pedagogical implicationsComments from one of the reviewers:“It offers a well-written and judicious survey of the relevant literature, with an incisive survey of the relevant frameworks and an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, and then moves on to a carefully plotted set of empirical investigations. The conclusion is carefully crafted, it avoids hyperbole and its theoretical claims are well grounded in the empirical work. The book is written in clear and precise language, and demonstrates an orderly and thoughtful mind at work. Particularly striking is the combination of linguistic theory and application in language pedagogy, and the final pages of the book include more general discussion of ideas (or “myths”) about language learning and instruction.”
2010/11 Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
2004/05 Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
1996 Merit Award in the Open Section of the Translation & Simultaneous Interpretation Competition, the 21st Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions (Organized by Peninsula Junior Chamber and sponsored by Home Affairs Department)