Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Programme Overview and Aims
Enquiries Information
Application and Admissions
Contact: Faculty of Education
+852 3917 4659
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Academic Matters
Contact: Miss Nicole Tavares (Programme Director)
+852 3917 2175
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MA(TESOL) is a full time programme, extending over one academic year, including the summer semester.
Why MA(TESOL)?
The Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages [MA(TESOL)] programme equips students with a thorough grounding in current research, teaching theory, principles and practices in English language education, applicable in schools, universities and other educational institutions in Asia and beyond.
The programme is jointly offered by the Faculty of Education and the Centre for Applied English Studies in the Faculty of Arts and is designed for university graduates and graduating students. It is targeted primarily, but not exclusively, at teachers of English to speakers of other languages. Students will be supported by a strong team of highly experienced teachers and researchers in closely examining and critically analysing established and cutting-edge issues in the field. Through collaboration with local schools and NGOs, the programme provides students with ample opportunities to gain first-hand experience of language teaching pedagogy and to reflect on the theory-practice nexus.
Who can apply?
- School English teachers and other English education professionals with a keen interest in or experience of TESOL; or
- Graduates/graduating students majoring in English or a relevant field such as Linguistics, English Language Education or English Language and Literature.
The Major Aims
The MA(TESOL) curriculum aims to develop candidates’
- understanding of key concepts, theories and research related to TESOL;
- knowledge of a wide range of perspectives on the theory, policy and practice of TESOL;
- capacity to analyse, synthesise and evaluate primary and secondary sources of research in TESOL and applied linguistics;
- ability to investigate a specific field of study in depth and carry out an independent research project.
Programme Recognitions
The MA(TESOL) programme is included in the SCOLAR list of “Recognised English Language Major Degree Programmes” (page 14, item 94) and the list of “Programmes Accepted for Grants under the Professional Development Incentive Grant Scheme for Language Teachers” (page 13, item 94). The programme is also accepted as an English language major degree for meeting the Language Proficiency Requirement (page 6, item 55).
For details, please visit the websites of the Education Bureau about “Recommendations of Standing Committee on Language Education and Research on Language Teacher Education and Qualifications” and “Exemption from the Language Proficiency Requirement (LPR)”; and SCOLAR about “Grant Schemes”.