The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Department of English and Communication

MA in English Studies for the Professions (MAESP)

Department of English and Communication

Créé en 1988, le Département d'anglais est un chef de file en matière d'études appliquées de l'anglais. Notre personnel académique de renommée internationale vous aidera à acquérir les niveaux élevés de compétences en anglais nécessaires pour réussir professionnellement et vous fournira une compréhension complète et critique de la communication en anglais dans des contextes professionnels multiculturels. Notre département a été rebaptisé Département d'anglais et de communication en septembre 2021 pour refléter notre statut de département interdisciplinaire composé d'experts en linguistique et en communication du monde entier.

Our team of experts has a wide range of research interests in language and professional communication; media and communication; language teaching and learning; linguistics, English language and systemic functional linguistics; and intercultural communication. Our postgraduate students go on to work in a number of exciting and international contexts around the world.

Meeting the needs of professionals

The specialisms in English Language Arts (ELA), English Language Studies (ELS) and English Language Teaching (ELT) are mainly intended for serving English language teachers or graduates who intend to enter the teaching profession, either at the secondary or tertiary level. Preference will be given to applicants who have majored in English or a communication-related field. Each specialism is designed to meet particular professional needs and interests.

• English Language Arts – for those who wish to receive in-depth training in the teaching and use of language arts (e.g. plays, poems, advertisements).
  
  
• English Language Studies – for those who wish to develop their understanding of the systems and uses of English and how these relate to their work.
  
  
• English Language Teaching – for those who wish to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to design and deliver engaging and effective English-language courses for general and specific purposes.

The specialism in English for the Professions (EP) is intended for those with an undergraduate degree other than in English. It is intended for professionals of all disciplines who wish to upgrade their ability and qualifications in English. It is designed primarily for middle-level managerial staff in the public and private sectors who need to demonstrate a high level of communicative competence in English in situations relevant to their personal needs.

Professional recognition

New and serving English language teachers who do not hold a degree in English, but who have successfully completed the MAESP (ELA), MAESP (ELS) or MAESP (ELT) programme, are regarded by the Education Bureau (EDB) as having a degree with relevant language major. The MAESP (ELA), MAESP (ELS) and MAESP (ELT), but not MAESP (EP), meet the EDB’s Subject Knowledge Requirement (SKR). All four specialisms meet the Language Proficiency Requirement (LPR) provided that on graduation students meet the training requirement for language teachers.

Selection of specialism

• Les candidats doivent indiquer la spécialité qu'ils ont choisie lors de leur candidature.
• Les étudiants admis au programme peuvent passer à une autre spécialisation après avoir terminé les quatre matières principales du MAESP.

Awards

• Postgraduate Diploma in English Studies for the Professions (18 credits): students should complete the four core subjects (12 credits) and two other subjects from the lists of specialism-related core subjects (6 credits).
• Master of Arts in English Studies for the Professions (English Language Studies / English Language Teaching / English for the Professions)* (30 credits): students should complete the four core subjects (12 credits); two specialism-related core subjects (6 credits); and either four specialism-specific electives (12 credits) or by taking the Research Project (6 credits) and associated research methods subject (3 credits) as well as one specialism-specific elective (3 credits).
• Master of Arts in English Studies for the Professions (English Language Arts)* (30 credits): students should complete the four core subjects (12 credits); three specialism-related core subjects (9 credits); and either three specialism-specific electives (9 credits) or by taking the Research Project (6 credits) and associated research methods subject (3 credits).

* The title of the relevant specialism will appear in brackets on the degree certificate, e.g. Master of Arts in English Studies for the Professions (English Language Teaching).

Duration

• Mode temps plein : 1 an (2 semestres et 1 trimestre d'été)
• Mode temps partiel : 2 ans (4 semestres et 1 trimestre d'été)