Dr Johnny Yao received his Bachelor of Social Sciences (majoring in Contemporary China Study) from the University of Macau. He further obtained his MA degree in China Studies from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and MA degree in Gender Studies from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He finally earned his EdD degree at the University of Bristol, UK. Dr Yao’s doctoral dissertation concerns the relationship between technology and college students’ autonomy in language learning in Hong Kong. Dr Yao also obtained Level One Grade B in the Putonghua Proficiency Test (Putonghua Shuiping Ceshi) organised by The State Language Commission of China.

 

Dr Yao’s research interests include sociological implications of language, autonomy and technology in language learning, and gender issues in contemporary Chinese society.

 

Before joining this institution, Dr Yao accumulated rich experience in teaching and developing language related subjects in different secondary schools and tertiary institutions, such as Wah Yan College (Kowloon), VTC and LiPACE, OUHK.