E-Portfolio as a Tool to Respond Higher Education Ambitions and Societal Expectations

For several years now, we may observe a shift from a traditional knowledge-oriented educational philosophy to the importance for students to acquire skills and competences in the higher education (HE) arena. This echoes the recurrent idea of employability combined with graduates’ concern to find their first job and potential recruiters’ expectations. Hong Kong is no exception here, and societal expectations and HE ambitions place a strong emphasis on exposure to a range of transferable skills (e.g. team-working, communication, problem-solving) and attitudes that all students will need in their future professional life. This chapter illustrates how e-portfolios can support the reorientation of discourse in HE and societal expectations with a final year seminar with French as medium of instruction as a case study. This seminar focuses on the multi-faceted skills and competences appropriate in a multicultural professional environment. Students are required to compile a reflective e-portfolio with the support of two main activities, such as a simulation project in a French professional setting as well as a professional development plan. E-portfolios and the inherent component of self-reflection/awareness and other awareness are envisaged as highly valuable tools to better equip fresh graduates for the global world of work.