Bachelor of Arts (Honours) / Bachelor of Science (Honours) Scheme in Language Sciences, Translation, and Speech Therapy (Linguistics and Translation / Language Sciences and Analytics / Speech Therapy)
語言科學、翻譯學及言語治療(榮譽)文學士/理學士組合課程 (語言學及翻譯學 / 語言科學與語言數據分析 / 言語治療)


Sept 2023 Entry

Programme code: JS3330

Duration & Credit Requirement

Duration and Credit Requirement


Mode of Study
Full-time
Normal Duration

4 years

Credit Required for Graduation

126 (including 3 Work-Integrated Education training credits) for BALT/ BScLSA and 132 credits (including 27 Clinical Education credits) for BScST

Scheme/Programme Intake
37
Fund Type
Government-Funded
Scheme/Programme Leader(s)

Programme Leader – BA (Hons) in Linguistics and Translation
Dr LIU Kanglong
PhD, MA, BA 

Programme Leader – BSc (Hons) in Language Sciences and Analytics 
Dr KWONG Yee Lan, Elaine 
PhD, BSc 

Programme Leader – BSc (Hons) in Speech Therapy
Dr LAU Kai Yan, Dustin 
PhD, BSc

Remarks
  • Students will gain one of the following awards upon successful completion of the programme:
    • BA (Hons) in Linguistics and Translation
    • BSc (Hons) in Language Sciences and Analytics
    • BSc (Hons) in Speech Therapy
  • Contingent on successful accreditation of the programme by the Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists (HKIST), BScST graduates will be qualified to practise as registered speech therapists.
  • JUPAS applicants with a HKDSE score of 30.0# or above in any best 5 subjects will be guaranteed admission into a programme of their choice (from Year 2 to Year 4). Other than ‘guaranteed’ admission cases, priority of programme choice from Year 2 to Year 4 will be based on students’ GPA of all discipline-specific requirement subjects at the end of their first year studies.
  • The option of a Secondary Major in AI and Data Analysis is available to students of the BA (Hons) in Linguistics and Translation and the BSc (Hons) in Language Sciences and Analytics. Admission to the Secondary Major is competitive and subject to different credit requirements for graduation. Please see Secondary Major Details for further information. 

HKDSE level attainments will be converted to score points where level 5**=8.5, 5*=7, 5=5.5, 4=4, 3=3, 2=2, 1=1 and Unclassified=0

 

Entry Scholarship

  • In recognition of high academic attainment, the Faculty of Humanities will grant entry scholarships to eligible students with outstanding HKDSE scores admitted to the programme via JUPAS. The award criteria for the scholarship are listed in this information sheet.

Aims & Characteristics

Aims and Characteristics

The BA (Hons)/BSc (Hons) Scheme in Language Sciences, Translation and Speech Therapy comprises one of the following awards: the BA (Hons) in Linguistics and Translation; the BSc (Hons) in Language Sciences and Analytics; and the BSc (Hons) in Speech Therapy.

 

Students admitted to the Scheme study a common curriculum in Year One and complete their chosen programme (one of the above three) over the following 3 years. Students are asked to rank their choices of Major programme in order of preference by the end of Semester 2 of Year One for the consideration of and approval by the CBS. The decision to admit a student to a Major programme is made by the CBS based on the student’s choice and their GPA of DSR common subjects. An intake quota may apply. 

 

Applicants to the BScST should be able to communicate verbally in both Cantonese and English effectively. Proficiency in Mandarin (Putonghua) is preferred. 

 

1. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Linguistics and Translation

Programme Aims 

  • To train language-related professionals in our knowledge-rich and highly connected world with special focus on biliterate and trilingual proficiency;
  • To endow our graduates with highly sophisticated communication skills, especially in terms of cultural and linguistic sensitivity in intercultural and corporate communication; interpersonal skills and empathy in face-to-face interaction as well as digital communication and the technological savvy to address the complex needs and challenges of today’s media landscape;
  • To equip our graduates with a general knowledge of the underlying concepts and profession-specific literacy skills in linguistics, speech sciences, translation and interpreting, and corporate communication; and
  • To equip our graduates with competence in data analytics involving linguistic and textual data, and the ability to identify, analyse and evaluate relevant trends and information using effective linguistic analytic methods.

 

Programme Characteristics

  • Leveraging the combined strengths of linguistics and translation to create a synergy of theory, application and professional training.
  • Capitalising on advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) to train language-related professionals across a wide range of professions (e.g. translation and interpreting, the IT industry, language policy making, language teaching, and publishing).
  • Possible enrolment to a dual degree programme with The Shanghai Jiao Tong University (admission on a competitive basis).

 

Medium of Instruction

  • English and Chinese*

* Putonghua by default; Cantonese used only in elective subjects on the Cantonese language

 

2. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Language Sciences and Analytics

Programme Aims 

  • To train language and knowledge professionals for our information-rich and highly connected world and the era of digital humanities. 
  • To endow our graduates with highly sophisticated communication skills, especially in terms of culture and domain sensitivity in intercultural and corporate communication; inter-personal skills and empathy in face-to-face communication as well as over digital media; and technological know-how to master current and future new media. 
  • To equip our graduates with general knowledge of the underlying concepts and profession-specific literacy and skills in linguistics and bilingual communication. 
  • To train our graduates in utilising analytic tools, performing and presenting quantitative analyses on language data, and extracting useful information from large-scale language datasets with complex scales.  
  • To empower our graduates with the ability to create, adapt and utilise language-related applications and tap into advances in artificial intelligence research. 

 

Programme Characteristics

  • The programme provides students with interdisciplinary training in areas including language sciences, quantitative data analytics, computer programming and computational linguistics. 
  • To nurture a deep understanding of how language works (in an individual and in a society) and foster familiarity with the concepts of digital humanities and the tools and methods of collecting and analysing language data in the digital era.
  • To strengthen skills in analysing social sentiments, spotting trends in the making, generating predictions and providing insight for business and/or administrative decision making. 

 

Medium of Instruction

  • English and Chinese*

* Putonghua by default; Cantonese used only in elective subjects on the Cantonese language 

 

3. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Speech Therapy

Programme Aims 

  • To produce collaborative practice-ready speech therapists with the ability to practise speech therapy safely and effectively in the areas of speech, language, voice, fluency and swallowing with children and adults presenting with developmental and acquired communication disorders and swallowing disabilities. 
  • To equip students with the professional and academic knowledge base, clinical and research skills, and attitudes and ethics required to function effectively as entry-level speech therapists. 
  • To cultivate graduates who are able to practise as speech therapists in Hong Kong and serve as speech therapy advocates in mainland China and the Macau SAR.  

 

Programme Characteristics

  • The curriculum offers a unique approach to education and training in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, addressing speech therapy in both Chinese and bilingual contexts. A hybrid teaching and learning approach is adopted: traditional lectures are conducted in the first year, and the problem-based learning (PBL) approach is adopted in the second year. 
  • The curriculum of this undergraduate programme builds on the success of our self-financed Master of Speech Therapy programme, with added emphases on interdisciplinary approaches to rehabilitation and evidence-based practice underpinned by the latest research conducted at CBS.
  • The teaching team is composed of academic and teaching staff with considerable teaching experience, proven research track records and extensive clinical expertise. 
  • Accreditation for the programme will be sought from the Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists (HKIST), the local professional body responsible for regulating the speech therapy profession and conducting Institution-based Assessment for Speech Therapy Education Programmes in Hong Kong under the Accredited Registers Scheme for Healthcare Professions, Department of Health, Hong Kong. 

 

Medium of Instruction

  • English

# Supplemented by Cantonese and Mandarin for Cantonese-speaking and Mandarin-speaking clients in clinical placements 

Recognition & Prospects

Recognition and Prospects

Recognition

Contingent on successful accreditation of the programme by the Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists (HKIST), BScST graduates will be qualified to practise as registered speech therapists. 

 

Career Prospects

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Linguistics and Translation 

With their strong language proficiency and competence in technology, BALT graduates can pursue careers in various professions, local and overseas, including but not limited to the following: 

  • Linguistic research 
  • Translation/interpreting 
  • Administration and management 
  • Education 
  • Corporate communication 
  • Language data analysis 
  • Digital/social media content creation and editing 
  • Social/cultural analysis 
  • Editing and publishing 
  • Civil service 
  • Marketing and sales 

 

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Language Sciences and Analytics

The programme produces graduates who can make meaningful contributions to various sectors of society (e.g. business development, marketing, journalism and media, education, academic research, and public services) by analysing social sentiments, spotting trends in the making, generating predictions and providing insight for business and/or administrative decision making. 

 

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Speech Therapy

Graduates are equipped to practise as speech therapists in different service settings, such as the Hospital Authority, non-government organisations, special and mainstream schools, and private clinics, as well as other community service providers. 

Curriculum

Curriculum

Academic Pathways 

1. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Linguistics and Translation 

a) Single Discipline Major; 
b) Major and Minor/free Electives; 
c) Double Major (BALT and BAEAL);  
d) Major + AIDA Pathway; or 
e) Dual Degree with The Shanghai Jiao Tong University (admission on a competitive basis)

 

2. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Language Sciences and Analytics

a) Single Discipline Major; 
b) Major and Minor/free Electives; or 
c) Major + AIDA Pathway

 

3. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Speech Therapy

a) Single Discipline Major; or 
b) Major and Minor 

 

Curriculum Structure  

The overall credit requirements for the programmes are as follows:

  BALT  BScLSA  BScST 
General University Requirements (GUR)  30 credits  30 credits  30 credits 
Discipline-Specific Requirements (DSR)  75 credits + 3 training credits  75 credits + 3 training credits  75 credits + 27 clinical education credits 
Minor or Free Electives  18 credits  18 credits  18 credits
Credit requirement for graduation  126 credits including 3 training credits / 135 credits including 3 training credits for Major + AIDA / 171 credits including 3 training credits for double Majors in BALT + BAEAL   126 credits including 3 training credits / 135 credits including 3 training credits for Major + AIDA 132 credits including 27 clinical education credits + 18 credits for the Minor option

 

The three programmes under the Scheme share a common curriculum in Year One, consisting of linguistics, language enhancement, the University’s general education, speech therapy and translation courses. Exploration of these areas enables students to rank their choices of Major programme in order of preference by the end of Semester 2 of Year One for the consideration of and approval by the CBS. 

 

From Year Two onwards, students are recommended to follow the curricula of their respective programmes. In the final year of study, students can apply their knowledge through a (Capstone) project. 

 

Compulsory Subjects 

1. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Linguistics and Translation

Introduction to Translation; Introduction to Linguistics; Work Integrated Education (WIE); Introduction to Bilingual Communication; Introduction to Speech Therapy; Academic and Technical Chinese Writing; Introduction to Modern Chinese; Introduction to Interpreting; Consecutive Interpreting; Translation for Corporate Communication; Translation for the Media in the Digital Age; Programming and Data Analysis for Language Studies; Semantics: Meaning in Language; Sounds and Sound Systems of Language; Pragmatics: Language in Use; Project in Language Studies; Translation Studies; Comparative and Contrastive Studies of Chinese and English Grammar; English for Advanced Academic Writing

 

2. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Language Sciences and Analytics

Introduction to Translation; Introduction to Linguistics; Work Integrated Education (WIE); Introduction to Speech Therapy; Academic and Technical Chinese Writing; Introduction to Modern Chinese; Psycholinguistics; Language, Cognition and the Brain; Programming and Data Analysis for Language Studies; Semantics: Meaning in Language; Sounds and Sound Systems of Language; Pragmatics: Language in Use; Advanced Topics in Quantitative Language Studies; Project in Language Sciences and Analytics; Comparative and Contrastive Studies of Chinese and English Grammar; Corpus and Language Technology for Language Studies; Introduction to Data Analytics; Introduction to Statistics for Business; English for Advanced Academic Writing

 

3. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Speech Therapy

Behavioural and Social Sciences I; Clinical Linguistics: Semantics and Pragmatics; Anatomy and Physiology: Speech and Hearing Sciences I; Behavioural and Social Sciences II; Clinical Linguistics: Language Acquisition and Multilingualism; Clinical Linguistics: Phonetics and Phonology; Anatomy and Physiology: Speech and Hearing Sciences II; Introduction to Clinical Practice in Speech Therapy and Audiology; Communication Disorders and Audiology (DSLR English); Preschool Communication Disorders: Assessment and Treatment; Communication Disorders of Neurogenic Origin: Assessment and Treatment; Disorders in Swallowing, Fluency and Voice: Assessment and Treatment; School-age Communication and Literacy Disorders: Assessment and Treatment; Geriatric Communication and Cognitive Disorders: Assessment and Treatment; Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Communication Disorders; Craniofacial Disorders, Hearing Impairments and Other Communication Disorders: Assessment and Treatment; Capstone Project; Clinical Education I; Clinical Education II; Clinical Education III; Clinical Education IV; Clinical Education V; Clinical Education VI; Clinical Education VII; Ethics and Professional Issues in Speech Therapy; Interdisciplinary Case Conference 

 

Elective Subjects (excluding subjects in the Japanese and Korean Minors within CBS)

Nearly 20 subjects are offered for BALT and BScLSA students.

(The above subject list is subject to revision.)

Secondary Major Details

Secondary Major Details

The option of a Secondary Major in AI and Data Analytics is available to students of the BA (Hons) in Linguistics and Translation and BSc (Hons) in Language Sciences and Analytics.

 

Students on this pathway will complete 75 academic credits + 3 training credits for the Primary Major (BALT/BScLSA) and 36 credits for the Secondary Major (AIDA). Certain credits, including those for the Integrated Capstone Project, can be double-counted for the Primary and Secondary Majors. The list of compulsory and elective subjects for the Primary Major (BALT/BScLSA) is almost the same as that for the existing BALT/BScLSA programme. The only difference is in the Capstone Project, as students will complete an integrated project (involving both BALT/BScLSA and AIDA) instead of the regular BALT/BScLSA route. The minimum credit requirement of BALT/BScLSA + AIDA is 132 credits.

 

Remarks
There is no professional accreditation for BALT + AIDA/BScLSA + AIDA.

Entrance Requirements & Subject Weightings

Entrance Requirements and Subject Weightings

Satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirements.


There is no compulsory subject requirement. Preferred subject(s) with the highest weighting for admission score calculation include(s):

  • Chinese Language
  • English Language
  • Mathematics

Admission Score Calculation

Admission Score Calculation

Admission Score Calculation Mechanism for the Current Admission Exercise

Any Best 5 Subjects

(Click here for an explanation)

Average HKDSE Scores of Admittees

This programme has been restructured and retitled starting from 2023/24. The average HKDSE score is listed for reference:

 

BA (Hons) Scheme in Linguistics and Translation

2022/23 Average Score: Chinese & English Languages + Any Best 3 Subjects (with Subject Weighting) = 181.0

 

2023/24 Flexible Admission Threshold Score: Any Best 5 Subjects (without subject weighting) = 23.0


(Click here for an explanation)

Enquiries

Enquiries

For further programme information, please contact:
the General Office (tel.: 2766 7463; email: cbs.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk).

Student Message

Student Message


I am a current Year Three BALT student. In my first 2 years of study, I gained not only professional knowledge but also professional support in various areas. BALT has provided a robust foundation of knowledge for my future development and given me the opportunity to explore different options. The kind and patient academic team supports the needs of students, providing opportunities for exchange, internships and research and empowering them to discover their true passions through these precious experiences. They always answer questions carefully and are willing to help with research projects and provide career advice. I feel privileged to be a BALT student


JU Tianqi Jocelyn (BALT student)



The CBS offers not only a variety of course choices, to allow students to explore their interests and achieve all-round development, but also an extremely encouraging learning environment. The inspirational and supportive academics motivated me to consider all possibilities and challenge myself. Without my tutors’ endless encouragement, I would not have had the confidence to participate in multifarious extracurricular activities and initiate a service project delivering essential mental support for the PolyU community.

 

Although the pandemic had an impact on our teaching mode, the support from the University was unwavering. When all plans for physical academic exchange were abandoned, opportunities to enrich university life through local internships were offered under the Work-Integrated Education (WIE) component. This enabled me to consolidate my academic learning and accrue practical work experience under challenging circumstances.

   

I believe that if you enjoy studying language and strive for personal growth, the CBS is the best choice! 


HO Hiu Man (BACBS graduate)



I was repeatedly wowed by the opportunities that the CBS offered during my 4 years of study. The internships, research projects, service learning and countless other possibilities were tremendous and should not be overlooked by prospective students of the BACBS programme. One of the ambitions of the Department is to inspire students to involve themselves in learning activities overseas, a vision that I took advantage of on several occasions, such as by attending conferences and other events in foreign countries. 

 

The programme structure smooths a way for a highly personalised study path: I, for one, chose a Minor in Computing, a field vastly different from my Major, along with a rider in Linguistics, although my love of translation persists. Given the scope of this programme, my experience is only one of many pathways for students. Outside my academic studies, I played a role in the founding and growth of the Hong Kong Linguistics Olympiad, a linguistics-oriented competition for secondary school students. 


PAN Tung-Le (BACBS graduate)



If you are enthusiastic about language but also attach great importance to its integration with modern technology, this programme is a perfect choice. Studying linguistics is more than spending the whole day in a library unpicking obscure sentences. For example, we are taught to recognise the anatomical landmarks of our body that are essential to speech production by studying real examples. In psycholinguistics, we tried to design a simple behavioural experiment using a computer program and tested it on our friends. Gradually, I have discovered how language should be viewed scientifically and how its integration with technology can benefit human society.  


LIU Chenxin (BACBS student)



Linguistics. What a nice word to contemplate. Three years ago, a Google search for “linguistics” returned merely “the scientific study of language”, which gave me little new insight into this discipline. Nor did exploring branches of linguistics help. In fact, encountering “Jabberwocky” terms with Greek roots (syntax, phonetic, pragmatics…) only added to my confusion. 

 

However, freedom to explore the CBS curriculum lifted the veil of linguistics and drew me deeper into the discipline. From one theory to the next, the lecturers bring us closer to what is on the tip of our tongues or fingertips every day. What the CBS teaches is not merely language; it is about language creators and users, who are all of us.  

 

Studying linguistics definitely smooths the journey of language learning, which in my case is German from a Minor in European Studies, and reveals a world outside the net woven by Chinese and English. The Major has also surprised me by introducing me to computer languages. As scary as they initially appear, lines of code are our friend. Indeed, learning computer code is a key part of our holistic training.  

 

Charlemagne said, “To have another language is to possess a second soul”. That very much sums up what we do in the CBS –questing after whatever it is that lies under the pearly white surface of language.


NG Sheung Wa Xavreila (BACBS student)



Additional Documents Required

Additional Documents Required


No information is available at present.

Interview Arrangement

Interview Arrangement


Date: Late July, if necessary
Mode:Individual or small group interview
Aims:

To determine the suitability of applicants who have the same admission scores.

Medium:English and Chinese
Duration:

About 10-15 minutes

Remark:

-