The first Storytelling Conference in EdUHK: A big success

On Sunday, 10 April, 2022, the Centre for Language in Education (CLE) hosted the 2022 Storytelling Conference, The Taken Roads. Two student speakers and three invited guest speakers presented true stories about their life experiences in front of a live virtual audience.

The theme for our 2022 Storytelling Conference, The Taken Roads, was inspired by Robert Frost’s famous poem “The Road Not Taken.” In Frost’s poem, he ponders about a fork in the road and the decision to walk the path not taken. But, what about the roads that we did take? What major life decisions made us who we are today? Looking back, did we choose the right path all along?

89 attendees logging in from Hong Kong and around the world listened to five unique stories about choices and paths they took in life. Millie Liu, a BA(Lang Studies) & BEd(EL) student, discussed learning from regrets in her experience delivering a speech for the Model United Nations. Sophia Han, an English tutor in CUHK, shared her chaotic experience traveling to Hong Kong and the lessons she learned through her adventures. Charla Rochella Saamong, a PhD student, shared her experience of motherhood through letters her son overseas wrote to her. Steve Lee, an entertainment professional, shared his struggle chasing his artistic dream and dealing with a death in his family. Rachel Smith, an artist and producer, ended our conference with sharing her heartbreaking journey of starting a family. Video recordings of these stories will be uploaded to our CLE website later for viewing.

In addition to the story presentations, the conference included interactive Kahoot activities, lucky draw raffles, and a Q&A session where audience members asked questions to our storytellers. Although this year’s event was held virtually due to the pandemic, we hope to host a similar in-person storytelling event next year at our university campus.