This field trip course provides students with an experiential learning opportunity to explore the dynamic interplay of English linguistics, literature, and culture outside Hong Kong. Under this year’s theme “Language and Society in the UK”, students will analyze linguistic variation and its connections to broader social issues through pre-trip seminars and fieldwork in major cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow. Prior knowledge of English phonetics and sociolinguistics will be helpful but not obligatory. This on-site learning will be enriched by guest lectures and cultural excursions (e.g. theatrical productions or literary sites) that reflect the region's diverse social and cultural history. Through these hands-on experiences, students will gather field data to present their findings in a creative digital project. 

Financial support for students 

Examples of available university financial support include: 

1. Faculty Global Exploration Fund (HKUArts)
   
   Note: The maximum funding amount for trips to Europe is HK$12,000.
   Details: https://arts.hku.hk/current-students/student-experiential-learning/financial-support/faculty-global-exploration-fund-ug-fgef/ 

2. Student Travel Funds (CEDARS) 

   Points to note:

   (1) Full-time local students who are in receipt of government financial assistance are eligible

   (2) Preference is given to students without other source of university support and who have successfully applied for the Government financial aids

   (3) The funding amount ranges from HK$3,000 to HK$30,000

        Details: https://www.cedars.hku.hk/ssi/finances/student-travel-funds 
 

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By the end of this course, students should be able to: 

1. Analyze linguistic variation in the UK and critically evaluate the interplay between British social dynamics and regional language practices. 

2. Articulate personal reflections on field experiences, synthesizing experiential insights regarding the role of English in diverse sociolinguistic contexts. 

3. Demonstrate enhanced multimodal communication skills (oral, written, visual, and digital) through a pre-trip presentation, reflective blog posts, and the collaborative production of a short video. 
    

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Linguistic variation in the UK, British English accents, language contact and multilingualism, social class and language stratification, language attitudes and accent prestige, language and identity, forensic linguistics 

 

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Pre-trip: 1-hour class per week 

Field Trip Duration: 14 days (19 May – 1 June 2027 | Tentative) 

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• Attendance and participation (10%):
  -A minimum of 80% attendance in pre-trip classes is a strict prerequisite for participating in the field trip. Students who fail to meet this requirement will not be permitted to travel and, consequently, cannot pass the course. 
   
• Group Presentation (20%)
   
• Reflective Blog Posts (20%)
   
• Short Video Project (50%):
  -Investigates a selected topic on linguistic variation and sociolinguistic issues in the UK. 
  -Includes a video production plan (10%) and the final video (40%). 
  -Requires no prior video production experience. Guidance and technical support on planning, shooting, and editing will be provided. 
  -The final submission will be due during the summer. 

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• Hughes, A., Trudgill, P., & Watt, D. (2013). English accents and dialects: An introduction to social and regional varieties of English in the British Isles. Routledge. 

• McKenzie, R. M., & McNeill, A. (2022). Implicit and explicit language attitudes: Mapping linguistic prejudice and attitude change in England. Routledge. 

Additional readings will be recommended throughout the course.