This course aims to introduce learners to the way language is used in social interactions. It is also about defining a very broad field which includes recognizing how individuals use different language(s) in different situations, how language use varies in different towns or regions, how governments make decisions about what language is to be used in what particular situation and how language changes over time. We will look at what causes change in language. In particular, the course enables learners to identify and analyse questions of language use in Hong Kong in an up-to-date sociolinguistic framework. Learners will look to their own work contexts and living environments as starting points for their research.