2026 Hong Kong Second Language Acquisition Forum

On May 6, 2026, the Faculty of Education at The University of Hong Kong was pleased to host the 2026 Hong Kong Second Language Acquisition Research Forum (HK-SLARF). This was the first time the event was hosted by The University of Hong Kong. We were delighted to welcome a large number of attendees, invited speakers, and keynote presenters to this year’s Forum.

The HK-SLARF provided a dynamic platform for scholars, educators, and students to share insights and innovations in the field of second language (L2) teaching and learning. With the aim of fostering collaboration and deepening our understanding of L2 acquisition and pedagogy in a multilingual world, this year’s forum highlighted current developments and challenges shaping language education in Hong Kong and beyond.

The 2026 HK-SLARF focused on three key areas: evidence-based approaches to language learning and teaching; the influence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on communication and pedagogy; and the relationship between teachers’ beliefs and their instructional practices. Through keynote addresses, research presentations, and interactive discussions, participants engaged in meaningful dialogue that bridged theory and classroom practice while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.

The forum was hosted by the Consortium for Research on Language Policy and Practice (CRLPP). The CRLPP, led by Professor Yuen Yi Lo, was established to synergise members’ excellent research endeavours in language policy and practice, and to foster collaboration with world-class researchers in the field, thereby promoting impactful research that benefits Hong Kong, the Asia region, and beyond.

This year’s HK-SLARF continued the tradition of bringing together researchers from diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds. The event created a vibrant space for exchanging emerging ideas, encouraging mentorship, and strengthening communities of practice.

The event featured two outstanding keynote addresses. Professor Alessandro Benati from University College Dublin delivered a thought-provoking keynote titled Beliefs or Facts? Developing an Effective and Scientifically-Based Language Teacher Education Programme. Professor Chun Lai from The University of Hong Kong complemented this with her keynote on Amplifying Learner Agency with GenAI for Language Learning.

The forum also brought together leading researchers from across Hong Kong who presented their latest work, including (according to the presentation sequence on the day)

• Professor John Rogers (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) on In-Person vs. Online Data Collection: Implications for Incidental Vocabulary Learning? 
• Professor George Jiang (The University of Hong Kong) on What Does GenAI Mean for Digital Multimodal Composing?
• Professor Gavin Bui (The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong) on “How Fluent Can My English Be?” The Influence of Willingness to Communicate and Social Presence on L2 Task Performance
• Professor Benjamin Moorhouse (City University of Hong Kong) on Developing Students’ Global Englishes-oriented Critical GenAI Literacy: An Intervention Study
• Professor Sihan Zhou (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) on From Self- to Co-regulated Language Learning with GenAI: A Paradigm Shift
• Professor Kevin W. H. Tai (The University of Hong Kong) on Translanguaging, Medium of Instruction and LX Learning Motivation
• Professor Ju Seong Lee (The Education University of Hong Kong) on When IDLE Meets School Reality: Lessons from Teachers and Researchers
• Professor Clarence Green (The University of Hong Kong) on Morphology, Word Families and Lexical Coverage

The forum also included a Graduate Student Event where 9 MPhil / PhD students presented their work to the audience, providing opportunities for postgraduate students and academics to engage in meaningful conversations and interactions on latest SLA research and development.

The 2026 HK-SLARF led to many stimulating discussions and highlighted the growing importance of research-informed practice in second language education in Hong Kong and internationally.