- 29 January 2026
On 29 January 2026, Graduate School of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), in collaboration with the Baptist Shatin Education Centre, launched the Workplace Cantonese class as part of the HIGH Programme, welcoming postgraduate students to their first session. Designed to build practical workplace communication skills and confidence, the six-lesson Workplace Cantonese series kicked off with an opening session introducing Cantonese phonetic symbols and a memorable approach to pronunciation using "Number Codes,": setting a lively foundation for the weeks ahead.
The instructor teaches Cantonese phonetics and tones.
From the outset, students followed closely and remained highly engaged. The class moved beyond textbook drills, using fun mini-games to practice number pronunciation and build listening and speaking confidence. These activities reinforced phonetic accuracy while opening windows into Hong Kong's local culture—an experience that many students said made the language feel immediately relevant to their daily lives.
Students are attentive in class, taking notes and actively responding to the teacher's questions.
With a class of over 30, post-class one-on-one coaching was arranged to ensure every participant could practice pronunciation and receive personal guidance. Students learned to say their names, institutions, and majors accurately, and were organized into four sub-groups to practice together and receive targeted feedback tailored to their needs.
During the post-class group session, each student has one-on-one practice time.
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Mr YE Jin, a current student in the Master of Science in Risk Analytics (MSc-RA), shared: "We interacted closely with the teacher and played mini-games—these made a deep impression on me. The course is not boring at all; it's incredibly interactive. I hope to work in Hong Kong after graduation, so learning Cantonese will help me adapt to the local workplace and communicate better with colleagues. It will also make my daily life more convenient."
Mr YE Jin (left) and Ms XIA Jing (right) are very satisfied with the Workplace Cantonese class and hope to master the language to better integrate into Hong Kong society.
Another student, Ms XIA Jing from the Master of Arts in Translation (Computer-Aided Translation) (MA-TCAT), said: "Watching TVB sparked my interest in Cantonese. I hope the class will help me grasp the basics and correct my pronunciation on the spot, laying a solid foundation for more advanced learning. I also hope Cantonese will help me integrate more quickly into life in Hong Kong, since it's the language of everyday life here."
She especially appriciated the post-class one-on-one coaching: "Today's first class was excellent. The teacher taught basic pronunciation carefully through engaging methods, and individual coaching afterwards was invaluable. The course gives me an environment where I can speak boldly; in daily life I often hesitate because I worry about my speaking, but this class creates a safe, supportive space to learn."
Graduate School looks forward to hosting more enriching sessions, continuing to support postgraduate students in their academic growth, professional readiness, and research journey. By equipping students with workplace-oriented language skills and the confidence to use them, the Workplace Cantonese class embodies HSUHK’s commitment to helping learners thrive both in the classroom and in the community.
Centered on the "H-I-G-H" philosophy, the Graduate School of HSUHK launched the HIGH Programme to provide postgraduate students with immersive growth support. Driven by both academic research and social practice, the programme aims to achieve the goal of "Research with Impact, Impact with Care."