Master of Arts in International Language Education (Concentration: Teaching Chinese as a Second Language or Teaching English as a Second Language)
MA(ILE)
Full-time
1 year
HK$135,000
Students who take additional course(s) are required to pay HK$5,625 for each additional credit. Students who need to retake failed course(s) must pay the pro-rated fee for the necessary course(s).
Academic Director:
Prof James SIMPSON, Associate Professor of Humanities
Applicants may apply for TCSL or TESL concentrations.
The Master of Arts (MA) Program in International Language Education offers advanced postgraduate education, taught in English, with two specialized concentrations: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), and Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL). Our research-informed approach to language education prepares language professionals for a dynamic global career in teaching English or Chinese as a second or other language. The program provides a solid foundation across a broad range of language education and applied linguistics topics.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Explain applied linguistics theories;
- Design and implement effective research-informed teaching plans and devise appropriate assessment methods for second-language teaching;
- Effectively teach English or Chinese as a second language in English to non-native speakers; and
- Lead teaching teams in the development of language curricula and teaching materials.
- Minimum Credit Requirement
24 credits
- Credit Transfer
Credit transfer is not allowed.
- Foundation Course
12 credits
For TESL students only:
For TCSL students only:
- Elective Courses
12 Credits
Students are required to take at least two courses (6 credits) from either the TESL or the TCSL Concentration.
General Electives
TESL Concentration Electives
TCSL Concentration Electives
Students may substitute no more than three credits (one course) of elective courses with other courses (including a maximum of one undergraduate course at 4000-level) offered by the School of Humanities and Social Science to fulfill the program requirements with prior approval of the Academic Director(s). The approved substituting courses should be either language teaching-related or culture-related.
- Remarks
Full-time students are required to take a minimum of 9 credits of coursework each regular term.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification.
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Concentration
One of the following:
- IELTS: 7.0 (Writing: 7.0, and other sub-scores: 5.5) *
- TOEFL iBT: 100 (Writing: 27/30) *
- First language being English
- Having obtained a bachelor’s degree awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was English
* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.
Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) Concentration
ENGLISH
One of the following:
- IELTS: 6.5 (all sub-scores: 5.5) *
- TOEFL iBT: 85 *
- First language being English
- Having obtained a bachelor’s degree awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was English
* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.
CHINESE
- For applicant whose first language is not Chinese and whose bachelor’s degree is awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was not Chinese:
- Level 5 in Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK by Hanban or the “New HSK”) ; OR
- For applicant whose first language is Chinese or whose bachelor’s degree is awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was Chinese:
- Grade 2B in National Putonghua Proficiency Test (PSC)
- Applicants must declare the concentration they apply for at the time of application. Any transfer between the TESL and TCSL concentrations must be approved by the Academic Directors, and is contingent on whether students can meet the language proficiency requirement of the concentration they would like to transfer to. Double-concentration is not allowed.
Apply online before the application deadlines.
HK$260
For 2025/26 Fall Term Intake (commencing in Sep 2025):
Non-local Applicants*
Full-time: 1 Apr 2025
Local Applicants
Full-time: 15 Jul 2025
Applicants should apply for MA ILE-TC or MA ILE-TE (respective concentrations) in the Online Admission System.
* Applicants are considered as non-local students if they hold (i) student visa/ entry permit; or (ii) visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or (iii) dependent visa/entry permit who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration. For details on student visa/ entry permit requirements, please click here.
