An IELTS course helped improve this Bilingual Studies major’s English. She came across some new terms and theories in a design course but couldn’t grasp the meaning even with a dictionary. She read The Vampire Diaries because of the TV show.

Encouraged by her teacher, this Mathematics major tried hard to deliver a speech. Taking a class in preparation for IELTS improved her reading skills.

Tutorial lessons attended by this Environment major were arranged by his classmates’ parents. He read Harry Potter in English because he couldn’t wait for the Chinese version.

A teacher encouraged this Linguistics major to join a speech competition, which made her realise learning English could be fun. She read Tuesdays with Morrie and found it inspiring.

Learning the pronunciation of A to Z in secondary school was not expected by this Medical student. Sophie Kinsella’s books make her cry. The first book she read from the author is Can You Keep a Secret?

An exchange to Canada let this Economics major live and chat with foreigners. He read Pride and Prejudice to improve English. He also enjoyed the story.

A PhD student recalls watching Mr Bean videos in secondary school.

Learning exam skills for the DSE didn’t enhance this Journalism major’s English level. She learnt about different topics and expanded her vocabulary by reading the SCMP before taking the DSE.

English was seldom used when studying in junior secondary. Past paper training was arranged in senior years. This Chinese major showed improvement with more frequent use of the language in university.

Knowing English allows this History major to chat with foreign colleagues and friends. The English in historical sources that date back to 17th century or earlier is not easy to understand.

Painful memories of vocabulary dictation in primary school has turned out to be something that this Accounting and Finance major appreciates as it boosted his reading and listening skills. He learns about grammar and social issues from newspapers.

When this Psychology graduate could not understand the dialogue in Brokeback Mountain, she could refer to the subtitles. A regular 20-minute session in secondary school helped to establish a reading habit.

A Bilingual Studies major used English to explore religious differences during a cultural exchange programme in Israel. She sees The Great Gatsby as a complex love story and The Alchemist as an adventurous story.

A teacher played a song to teach this Chemistry major vocabulary. Reading books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for a school project enhanced her vocabulary and writing.

English was used by this Medical student for everyday communication in a summer programme in Canada. The War World Z book has a deeper meaning when compared to the film.

Going on a study tour to Canada during high school gave this PR major an opportunity to improve her English. She became interested in reading Harry Potter after watching the movies.

American TV series taught this Accounting major intonation, pronunciation, vocabulary and culture. Reading World War Z with the dictionary expanded his knowledge of biological terms.

Reading grammar books was one of the methods used by this China Studies major who had to retake his A-levels. He also used to read the website BBC Learning English.

A secondary school English teacher helped this Geomatics major to catch up by providing additional classes focusing on reading and comprehension. Her classmate also assisted in translating what the teacher was asking. She enjoyed reading Pride and Prejudice and Romeo and Juliet with her friends.

There have been more English language opportunities in university for this Chemistry major. Reading 1984 and Shakespeare during secondary school sparked his interest in literature. [5TT301]  ...

A new principal proactively organised English learning activities such as debates and discussions in secondary school. This Nursing major has read The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

Attending a tutorial school expanded this Finance major’s circle of friends and knowledge of American TV shows. Reading The Economist and TIME has exposed her to different political views.

A designer recalls an English class where he took part in a group project that involved cooking and performing a drama about it. He laments the decline of English in his workplace. He plays in a band that uses English songs but is not sure about the meaning of some of the lyrics.

Watching Titanic and writing a report was relaxing for this Chemical Technology major. The exercise helped improve his pronunciation. He also wrote a book report on Forrest Gump.

Primary school is where this Sociology major learnt basic grammar and daily conversation. He was an audience member of a debate competition and went on an exchange in senior secondary. Nowadays, he has gatherings with exchange students in his university.

The language in law is special according to this Accounting major. She uses the dictionary.

Being a NET’s helper allowed this Accounting major to talk with the teacher every day in English. She was required to read the book Jane Eyre. She also read Harry Potter and Twilight after watching the movies.

Secondary school English classes were dull due to their focus on grammar and the lack of speaking practice for this Management major. He read Percy Jackson and Harry Potter for the SBA but prefers not being forced to do so as it might cause him to lose interest in English.

Grammar exercises and DSE practice papers contributed to this Management major’s learning experience. She read Princess Diana for the SBA.

English was used in an NGO programme in this student’s secondary school. She also joined a pair-reading scheme. She says her mobile phone prevents her from reading.

Having enjoyed learning the language in secondary school, this Engineering major is disappointed that he has few chances to practise his spoken English. After working and studying, there is little time to enjoy reading.

This Business major spent her kindergarten years in Canada where she learnt English through pictures, actions and words. She read fiction in the library every day during primary school. Her favourite authors are Christopher Pike and Diana Wynne Jones. She now reads online stories and blogs.

A nice primary school teacher and watching movies followed by a personal reflection are this student’s learning highlights. She enjoyed reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower because she could relate to the story.

This student enjoyed an interactive drama performance with foreign actors while in secondary school. She uses the Internet to read about different attitudes to horoscope.

The timing of the Book Fair suits this woman as it is near the summer holidays. She looks for books on beauty and those linked to movies. She has read Gone Girl, The Fault in Our Stars and Game of Thrones.

Organising a booth trained this Accounting major to speak English with confidence. She read the book Tuesdays with Morrie after watching the movie.

Going on an exchange to Korea required this Science major to speak English. He prefers reading Chinese books.

Practising with teachers helped this Computer Science major change her speaking habits, especially pronunciation. She likes the humour in O. Henry’s short stories and essays.

The Big Bang Theory TV show formed part of this Green Technology major’s language learning. She also read a book on world history.

A private tutor from a different background exposed this Business major to another culture. She read The Phantom of the Opera and Harry Potter with her teachers. She likes reading the SCMP and the short articles in Sing Tao Daily.