Preparing for IELTS exposed this Malaysian Civil Engineering major to academic writing and argumentative essays. He has read many news magazines and the dictionary. He says he uses English more in Hong Kong but the standard is not as high as Malaysia.

University tested this graduate’s English proficiency because it was the medium for instruction and homework. He reads about soccer on the Internet and read a book about North Korea.

Researching a topic for a presentation in secondary school made this student question his English proficiency. His reading has centred on course material. He is finding it difficult to study in English university because he used Cantonese in secondary school.

Preparing for a public exam in the Mainland made this student focus on a good grade and not interpersonal communication. She started to read a lot more in English in university when she was studying course textbooks. It’s easier for her to read books that have been translated into Chinese.

A language centre salesman dented this highly proficient student’s English speaking confidence after performing a test in the street. She is an English Teaching major and a fan of Harry Potter.

This student was part of a secondary school team that won an inter-house drama competition with their own composition based on Mario Brothers. She bought All the Light We Cannot See because she is interested in history.

Early spelling lessons with her father established a good system for dictation for this student. She read children’s novels when she was young and now watches TV drama to polish her English.

Communicating in English with a home assistant gave this student more opportunities to speak in English rather than school. She reads about music history which is related to her major.

Preparing for a speech festival in senior secondary gave this student a chance to read a variety of scripts while receiving guidance on pronunciation. In university, he prefers to read English versions of some material as translations may be inaccurate.

Coming from an all English IB secondary school, this student had difficulty adjusting to the use of Cantonese at university even though she used it at home. She has developed a liking for classical literature such as Plato but couldn’t get the hang of Othello.

This Visual Arts major received dialogue coaching from teachers while she prepared for a drama competition in Form Four. She prefers to read Chinese books but read English fiction and non-fiction for the SBA.

Workshops by international tutors in this student’s university provide an alternative way to learn English. She uses little English in her part-time job in a theme park.

Conversations skills are important for this accountant who enrolled in tutorial classes that focus on speaking. She was motivated to study after working in a multinational company. She read TIME magazine.

An Engineering graduate uses English for problem solving with colleagues overseas. He has read journals and newspapers. He feels newspapers use everyday English. Talking to foreigners can also improve speaking skills.

Preparing for the IELTS exam in Beijing expanded this Mechanical Engineering student’s circle of friends. She only reads English if it will help with her studies.

Group discussions during the DSE speaking module is enjoyable. This student seldom reads in English except for lecture notes. He uses English to communicate with gamers from other countries.

A communications major had to catch-up when she transitioned to Hong Kong in Primary 3. Initiating a speech club helped prepare for the DSE. She uses English when she has to and prefers to read Chinese.

This Marketing major would have paid more attention during class if high school English was more interactive. Tutorial lessons helped with grammar when she was young. She read The Shadow of the Wind and believes English is a requirement in business.

Writing exams is the main motivation of studying English for this Accounting major. She uses “basic English” in her programme and believes the most effective way to learn is to communicate with native speakers.

English is the only language of communication in Hong Kong for this Indonesian student. She uses Google and the thesaurus when she encounters difficulties reading journal articles.

“Survival instinct” pushed this Korean student to learn English when she had to make friends and study in a Mainland international school. She is focused on reading course material because it results in a transfer of knowledge rather than a pastime.

Responding to teacher’s questions in English class was a nervous experience. This Civil Engineering major works hard in the compulsory language courses for a better GPA. He reads course materials and believes English learning should start from kindergarten.

An environmental science PhD student was mesmerized by her high school English teacher’s retelling of a love story. She was influenced by her mother to pick up reading. She enjoys Sherlock Holmes. English is the medium of instruction in native Philippines.

Competing in a secondary school Speech Festival expanded this Business major’s vocabulary. He used English textbooks at school and enjoyed the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

English has been important for this Engineering major since an early age as it was the language for communicating with her family’s domestic helper. She likes books by Mitch Albom.

Watching the Twilight movie triggered this Engineering major’s interest in reading. She surprised herself by completing the book and noticed it also improved her English. She read a number of books for high school English.

English is a lifelong pursuit for this Speech Therapy major. She used the language during a tour of Europe and also reads articles in English.

The school Speech Festival required this Occupational Therapy major to read a poem with emotion. She is getting used to doing English presentations in university.

A tour of England during secondary school included intercultural communication with the locals for this Speech Therapy major. English is important for case notes and professional communication.

A summer internship for this Engineering major involved working with a colleague who spoke only English. Reading TIME is a good learning experience.

Despite being afraid of NETs in primary school, this Tourism major worked more closely with them in secondary and now feels there are no barriers to intercultural communication.

Teaching junior students English in secondary school boosted this Surveying major’s language competency. He learnt about social issues while reading the South China Morning Post. He did a book report on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Debating in secondary school has developed this Surveying major’s research, reading, pronunciation, and presentation skills. He was forced to read every day in secondary school. English is important in his field because the laws and contracts are in the language.

Achieving good results in IELTS is a goal for this Fashion major who wants to travel after graduation. She recalls reading English passages in the DSE exam.

PhD studies involve writing, reading and presenting in English for this Engineering major. It’s important to have good speaking skills to communicate with scholars from other countries. He reads about psychology as he finds it interesting.

Arranging English classes for his son had made this Nursing major more aware of his own language needs. He feels his standard of English has affected his life’s direction.

English was a hobby in primary school and it became a necessity to gain a place in university for this Engineering major. He only reads English material if it’s required for his studies.

Teaching basic English to kindergarten students during secondary school highlighted the use of communication skills for this Property Management major. He started reading Harry Potter but didn’t finish. He believes English is important for his future career.

English is one of many languages used by this Bilingual Studies major. She likes reading Stephen King because his stories are exciting. She also enjoys 1984 and The Storyteller.

Preparing for the speaking section of the IELTS exam was part of this Engineering major’s plan to qualify for postgraduate studies in Hong Kong. Her English reading centres on course material.