Teaching & Learning

Dr Benedict Rowlett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Hong Kong Baptist University. After many years as an English teacher in Japan and the UK, he completed a PhD at City University of Hong Kong in which he focused on language learning, sexualities and social action in Cambodia. He is an applied sociolinguist and discourse analyst with research interests in language education, gender and sexuality, narrative inquiry, queer linguistics and ethnography. His recent publications can be found in the journals Multilingua, Narrative Inquiry, Gender and Language and The Journal of Language and Sexuality. He has also been a long serving member of the International Gender and Language Association (IGALA) advisory board.

Dr Wang and Dr Rowlett (the Team) are now teaching GCAP3056 Taking a Stand: Engaging in Public Discourse through Advanced Research and Writing (Level 3 GE Capstone). The Panel appreciated the Team’s strategy of adopting research-informed teaching practices, and the impact of their collaborative work on the development of effective teaching and learning practices.

The Panel was inspired by the Team’s positive teamwork synergy across course development and delivery. Though they taught in separate sessions, they prepared teaching materials and activities together, which showcased their collective effort. They offered their students multiple opportunities to explore the subject through a variety of modes of learning. It was impressive to hear that students’ achievements were published widely and frequently in the press, and that it was indeed a course which sought to make a difference in the society.

In their submission and presentation to the Panel, they showed active engagement in the Students-as-Partners scheme organized by the GE Office to exemplify the University’s aspiration of achieving best student experience. The Panel was pleased to see the positive feedback from students about their course delivery, and their active involvement in community engagement as evidenced by the Team.

The Panel recommended the Team to receive the GE Teaching Award (Team) to recognize their outstanding performance and devotion to the delivery of GE courses and students’ community engagement.