This course introduces students to the basic concepts and issues in the study of bilingualism by focusing on issues related to the social and cultural background of bilingual communities, more specifically, the systematic use of different languages, language maintenance and shift, language attitudes and the motivations and effects of code-switching. The course discusses how some key concepts have been applied in accounting for individual/societal bilingualism in Hong Kong, Singapore and Macao.

CILO-1: Familiarize students with basic concepts, issues and models discussed in the context of bilingual or multilingual communities. CILO-2: Apply these concepts and models to various bilingual/multilingual communities students are familiar with, e.g. Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao, etc. CILO-3: Stimulate students to reflect on their own bilingual/multilingual experience and hence to broaden their vision towards Macao and their hometowns as a multi-cultural and multi-lingual community.