Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong

Programme Overview

The Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education jointly offer a four-year full-time BA&BEd (LangEd) programme for applicants wishing to become teachers of English.

The Programme:

• integrates both academic and professional studies in English language education;
• includes a major in English Language and Linguistics *, with courses to be chosen from the Faculty of Arts;
• focuses on the teaching of English as a second or foreign language in mainstream Hong Kong secondary schools;
• offers two degrees in four years, the equivalent of a three-year honours degree plus a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

*

The major in English Language and Linguistics covers the subject knowledge recommended by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR).

Background Information

In June 2003, the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) recommended that language teachers should be adequately prepared in terms of proficiency, subject knowledge and pedagogy (theories and practices in language teaching and learning). New language teachers are now required to hold (or acquire within three to five years of entering the profession):

Either:

• a Bachelor of Education degree majoring in the relevant language subject;

Or:

• a first or higher degree majoring in the relevant language subject; plus
• a recognized teacher training qualification majoring in the relevant language subject;

And to meet:

• the Language Proficiency Requirement for Teachers (LPR).

The BA&BEd (LangEd) was created in response to this policy and to meet these requirements.

Aims of the Programme

The overall purpose of the BA&BEd (LangEd) programme is to contribute substantially to Hong Kong's goal of an all-graduate, all-trained teaching profession.

The major aims are:

1. to give students a passion for learning and to extend their personal education to first-degree level in the study of English Language and Linguistics as well as providing a broad knowledge base;
2. to develop students' understanding of education as a human enterprise, its social context and its provision, with particular reference to Hong Kong;
3. to promote students' understanding of the teaching-learning process as knowledge construction rather than information feeding, and to strengthen the quality of their work in classrooms or other educational settings;
4. to help students acquire expertise in the teaching of English Language in schools;
5. to develop students' language and communication skills;
6. to encourage in students a spirit of enquiry: sharing ideas, exploring different approaches, taking risks, adopting problem-solving strategies, becoming reflective practitioners;
7. to foster teachers with love, care and respect for their students, committed to whole-person development, appreciating diversity and special educational needs, believing that every student can learn and is able to achieve;
8. to foster teachers committed to continuing professional development and life-long learning, and seeing schools as learning communities.

Curriculum Structure

The programme is full-time, extending over four years. Students are required to complete courses worth 240 credit units, allocated as set out below.

Admissions Requirements

JUPAS candidates :

The University requires a Grade D in AS Use of English for applicants using Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations (HKALE) results (see University entrance requirements ), but a higher Use of English grade will be an advantage for entry to the BA&BEd (LangEd).

Non-JUPAS candidates :

Applicants not using HKALE results may refer to the HKU website at http://www.als.hku.hk/admission/applying-or-admission-info/hong-kong-students/non-jupas then "Entrance Requirements" to see the requirements from other examination systems, e.g. UK, USA, Canada, Australia or IB, or other English proficiency tests.

Admissions Schedule

Deadlines for JUPAS application

School and non-school applicants should submit their applications via
the JUPAS website at http://www.jupas.edu.hk from 27 September 2011 (9:00 am) onwards.

Deadline for Non-JUPAS application

Information Seminar

Date:

May 15, 2012

Time:

2:15 pm

Venue:

Rayson Huang Theatre, HKU

Please register your seat on-line at here.

How to Apply

JUPAS candidates :

Secondary 7 students and candidates wishing to apply on the strength of their HKALE results should apply through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS).

Non-JUPAS candidates :

Other candidates, e.g. from international schools, overseas or mature applicants, may apply directly to the University (Non-JUPAS) via the on-line application system at: http://www.als.hku.hk/admission/applying-or-admission-info/hong-kong-students/non-jupas

Scholarships

The Scholarship for Prospective English Teachers, recently set up by the Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is available for applications by students who are admitted in 2012-13 and satisfy the stipulated English requirement, from the end of July to early August 2012.

Details of the Scholarship can be viewed at http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=7746&langno=1.