Languages English
This course is delivered entirely online, with all sessions conducted virtually.
Programme Overview
Highlights
On completion of the course, you will:
• Speak and listen with confidence in a wide range of real-life situations
• Communicate clearly and persuasively using proven techniques
• Express yourself fluently in spoken English in both face-to-face and virtualsettings
• Use practical communication tools and strategies to succeed in professionaland social environments.
Programme Details
Course Content
Week 1-10 - Smart Grammar principles - tools of effective communication
Each session includes 1 principle and practice for effectively utilising it in your speech, 5 useful collocations with practice, an entertaining video, and a quiz.
Week 11-20 - Social Formulas and AI tools
Making the principles work in everyday situations in a professional environment (compliments, invitations, responding to toxic behaviour, bereavement, asking for a promotion, etc.). We will also talk about effectively using AI for practice in real life situations.
Week 21-30 - Talking About Art
Building vocabulary and learning an exquisite and grounded way of talking about art genres, styles, art movements, specific features, smart adjectives, and fascinating
terms that ooze sophistication.
Week 31-36 - Humour in a professional environment
Humour is a superpower in life and at work. According to a survey in 2020 (Financial Times), employees with a sense of humour were more likely to be promoted and received a higher bonus. An interesting way to progress in your career, isn't it? Learn how to harness the power of humour and get equipped with the algorithms for creating your own clean jokes that would be appropriate for a professional environment.
Course Schedules
|
Day |
Date |
|
Mondays |
28 September 2026 12 October 2026 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 November 2026 7, 14, 21, 28 December 2026 11, 18, 25 January 2027 1, 22 February 2027 1, 8 March 2027 |
|
Wednesdays (7:30 – 9:00 pm) |
30 September 2026 14, 21 October 2026 4, 11, 18, 25 November 2026 2, 9, 16, 23 December 2026 6, 13, 20, 27 January 2027 3, 24 February 2027 3 March 2027 |
| Application Code | 2445-3812NW | Apply Online Now |
| Start Date | 28 Sep 2026 (Mon) | |
| Apply Online Now | ||
Days / Time
- Mon, Wed, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
- 36 meeting(s)
- 1.5 hours per meeting
- Online
Teachers
Teacher Information
Ms Elena McCaffrey
Elena McCaffrey is a university lecturer, doctoral candidate in sociolinguistics, course developer, and specialist in sophisticated British English and effective professional communication. Her distinctive career has taken her from television presenting to investment banking and university teaching, giving her first-hand insight into the language of influence, credibility, and successful relationship-building.
Elena spent more than 15 years working in senior professional environments in London, including institutional sales and account management. She now draws on this experience to help international professionals communicate with greater confidence, precision, and cultural awareness. Her teaching explores how carefully chosen language can build trust, prevent cross-cultural misunderstandings, strengthen client relationships, and facilitate more effective negotiations.
As the tutor of Communicate with Impact: Skills for Every Situation, Elena brings grammar to life through practical communication strategies, useful collocations, authentic videos, and interactive activities. The course also reflects her broader interests in social conventions, cross-cultural communication, art, and the intelligent use of humour in professional settings.
Elena has delivered public lectures at the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK. An eloquent speaker, keen linguist, and energetic mentor, she creates an intellectually stimulating yet welcoming environment in which learners can refine their English, develop their individual voice, and communicate with sophistication, confidence, and impact.
Fee & Entry Requirements
Fee
- Course Fee : HK$4,800
Entry Requirements
Applicants with an intermediate level of English proficiency, a minimum of CEFR B1.
Course participants should have access to a computer or a tablet plus a smart phone for the online activities.
Apply
Online Application Apply Now
Application Form Download Application Form
Enrolment MethodOnline Enrolment
HKU SPACE provides 24-hour online application and payment service for students to apply to selected award-bearing programmes and to enrol in most open admission courses (courses enrolled on a first come, first served basis) via the Internet. Applicants may settle the payment by using either "PPS by Internet" (not available via mobile phones), VISA or Mastercard online. Online WeChat Pay, Online AliPay and Faster Payment System (FPS) are also available for continuing enrolment in the same programme, if online service is offered.
For first time enrolment
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Complete the online application form
Applicant may click the icon
on the top right-hand corner of the programme/course webpage to make online application, and then follow the instructions to fill in the online application form.
Some programmes/courses may admit by selection, and may require applicants to provide electronic copy of any required documents (e.g. proof of qualification) as indicated on the programme/course webpage. Only file format in doc, docx, jpg and pdf are supported. -
Make Online Payment
Pay the application or programme/course fees by either using:
"PPS by Internet" - You will need a PPS account and a PPS Internet password. For information on how to open a PPS account and how to set up a PPS Internet password, please visit http://www.ppshk.com.
*Credit Card Online Payment - Course fees can be paid by VISA or Mastercard including the “HKU SPACE Mastercard”.
* HKU SPACE Mastercard cardholders who wish to enjoy 10-month interest free instalment scheme must pay their tuition fees in person at any of our HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.
To know more about first-time online application/enrolment and payment, please refer to the user guide of Online Application / Enrolment and Payment:
For continuing enrolment in the same programme
Selected programmes offer online continuing enrolment service. Programme staff will inform students if they offer this service and offer further enrolment details.
Online Payment can be made via "PPS by Internet" (not available via mobile phones), VISA or Mastercard, Online WeChat Pay, Online AliPay and Faster Payment System (FPS)
In Person / Mail
For first time enrolment
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For first come, first served short courses, complete the Application for Enrolment Form SF26 and bring or post the completed form(s), together with the appropriate application/course fee(s) and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres.
[Download Enrolment Form SF26] -
Award-bearing and professional courses may require other information. Forms are usually available at the enrolment centres or on request from programme staff. Bring or post the completed form(s), together with the appropriate application/course fee(s) and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres.
For continuing enrolment in the same programme
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The standard ‘Enrolment/Payment Slip’ is designed for students of award-bearing programmes or remaining programmes in a suite of programmes requiring continuing enrolment and it applies to most programmes.
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Students should complete the “Enrolment/Payment Slip” which will be made available by relevant programme staff and return the slip to any HKU SPACE enrolment centre or post it to the relevant programme staff with appropriate fee payment.
Please refer to available Payment Methods for fee payment information. If you are in doubt about the procedures, please check the individual course details, or contact our programme staff or enrolment centres.
Please note the followings for programme/course enrollment:
- To make an application online, you will need a computer with connection to the Internet and a web browser with JavaScript enabled. Google Chrome is recommended.
- Applicants should not leave the online application idle for more than 10 minutes. Otherwise, applicants must restart the application process.
- Only Early Bird Discount is supported for Online Applicants (Application). To enjoy other types of discount, please visit one of our enrolment centres.
- During the online application process, asynchronous application and payment submission may occur. Successful payment may not guarantee successful application. In case of unsuccessful submission, our programme staff will contact you shortly.
- Applicants are reminded that they should only apply for the same programme/course once through counter or online application.
- For online enrolment, a payment confirmation page would be displayed after payment has been made successfully. In addition, a confirmation email would also be sent to your email account. You are advised to keep your payment confirmation for future enquiries.
- Fees paid are not refundable except as statutorily provided or under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment).
- If admission is by selection, the official receipt is not a guarantee that your application has been accepted. We will inform you of the result as soon as possible after the closing date for application. Unsuccessful applicants will be given a refund of programme/course fee if already paid.
Disclaimer
The School provides a platform for online services for a selected range of products it offers. While every effort is made to ensure timeliness and accuracy of information contained in this website, such information and materials are provided "as is" without express or implied warranty of any kind. In particular, no warranty or assurance regarding non-infringement, security, accuracy, fitness for a purpose or freedom from computer viruses is given in connection with such information and materials.
The School (and its respective employees and subsidiaries) is not liable for any loss or damage in connection with any online payments made by you by reason of (i) any failure, delay, interruption, suspension or restriction of the transmission of any information or message from any payment gateways of the relevant banks and/or third party merchants for processing credit/debit/smart card or other payment facilitation mechanism; (ii) any negligence, mistake, error in or omission from any information or message transmitted from the said payment gateways; (iii) any breakdown, malfunction or failure of those gateways in effecting online payment service or (iv) anything arisen out of or in connection with the said payment gateways, including but not limited to unauthorised access to or alternation of the transmission of data or any unlawful act not permitted by the law.
1. Cash, EPS, WeChat Pay Or Alipay
Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.
2. Cheque Or Bank draft
Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:
- bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course or application fees in the form of a cheque, and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
- or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of personal information and payment sent by mail.
3. VISA/Mastercard
Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or Mastercard, including the “HKU SPACE Mastercard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE Mastercard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.
4. Online Payment
Online application / enrolment is offered for most open admission courses (enrolled on first come, first served basis) and selected award-bearing programmes. Application fees and course fees of these programmes/courses can be settled by using "PPS by Internet" (not available via mobile phones), VISA or Mastercard. In addition to the aforesaid online payment channels, new and continuing students of award-bearing programmes with available online service, they may also pay their course fees by Online WeChat Pay, Online Alipay or Faster Payment System (FPS). Please refer to Enrolment Methods - Online Enrolment for details.
Notes
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If the programme/course is starting within five working days, application by post is not recommended to avoid any delays. Applicants are advised to enrol in person at HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres and avoid making cheque payment under this circumstance.
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Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay, Alipay, cheque, FPS or PPS by Internet will be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will be reimbursed to the credit card account used for payment.
- In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
- Fees and places on courses cannot be transferrable from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on each approved transfer.
- HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment, receipt, or personal information sent by mail.
- For payment certification, please submit a completed form, a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to “HKU SPACE” to any of our enrolment centres.
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- English