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.
Q: Am I allowed to extend my stay for personal travel after the field trip ends?
A: Extensions of stay for personal travel are permitted subject to approval. Students must discuss their plans with the course teacher before making any travel arrangements.
Q: Is the course open to all HKU students?
A: This course is open to English majors and minors only. Year 1 students intending to declare a major or minor in English Studies may contact the School Office to request special consideration, provided they will meet the prerequisites prior to the field trip.
Q: I am a final-year student graduating this summer. Will the summer assignment deadline affect my graduation timeline or attendance at the congregation?
A: We understand your concern regarding the timeline. Final-year students who need to complete their programme requirements by June 2027 should contact the School Office as soon as possible to request special arrangements regarding the final assignment of the course.
Q: Do I need to arrange my own visa for the UK?
A: Yes. Students are fully responsible for checking their own visa requirements based on their nationality and passport type. The School can provide an official support letter confirming your enrollment in the course, but you must manage and fund the application process yourself well in advance.
Q: What is the overall cost for the field trip?
The estimated gross cost for the field trip is approximately HKD21,000 to 24,000 per person, excluding personal shopping and leisure activities. The itemized budget breakdown is as follows:
- Round-trip flights: HKD 7,500 – 9,500
- Accommodation (13 Nights): HKD 6,500 – 7,000 (~HKD 500 per night for a twin room in a hostel or university residence)
- UK inter-city rail & transit: HKD 2,500
- Meals & subsistence: HKD 4,000 – 4,500
- Travel insurance & UK ETA: HKD 500
Your actual out-of-pocket expenses may be substantially reduced depending on available financial subsidies as well as final student enrollment numbers.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
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Analyze linguistic variation in the UK and critically evaluate the interplay between British social dynamics and regional language practices.
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Articulate personal reflections on field experiences, synthesizing experiential insights regarding the role of English in diverse sociolinguistic contexts.
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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.
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
Pre-trip: 1-hour class per week
Field Trip Duration: 14 days (19 May – 1 June 2027 | Tentative)
- 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 or Individual Essay (50%):
- Investigates a selected topic on linguistic variation and sociolinguistic issues in the UK.
- Option A — Short Video Project (Group):
- 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 in early/mid-July.
- Option B — Research Essay (Individual):
- Includes an essay plan (10%) and the final essay (40%)
- The final submission will be due in early June.
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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.
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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.