Developing and enhancing creativity : a case study of the special challenges of teaching writing in Hong Kong

The internationalisation of higher education and, especially, the provision of off-shore teaching and learning activities, come with a range of special challenges and opportunities for both teachers and students. This paper explores a number of the issues involved in teaching writing in English in Hong Kong, by utilising a case study of how one Australian teaching team handled the dual challenge of both embedding student-centred learning activities in a series of intensive writing classes and realising an aim of enhancing students' creativity and creative thinking. As such teaching and learning practice contradicts widely held stereotypes about Chinese language students' lack of creativity and preferred learning styles, this case study offers food for thought for all those engaged in providing learning opportunities for such students.