Postgraduate Diploma in English Studies (PDES)

(Part-time mode)

Programme Code: C2P039

**Graduates of the PDES Programme will be eligible to apply for full exemption from the Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (English Language) if they have already obtained relevant teacher training.

**On completion of the PDES Programme, participants may continue to the HKIEd Master's Programme (English Specialization) with maximum 12 credit points exemption.

Introduction
Programme Aims
Programme Handbook
Programme Structure
Package of Modules
Methods of Teaching and Learning
Credit Exemption
LPAT Exemption
Linkage to Master's Programme
Entrance Requirements
Tuition Fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Information

ake - Packages of Modules ( *Amended* )

Introduction

The Postgraduate Diploma in English Studies (PDES) Programme was set up in response to an Education Bureau (EDB) invitation to develop and deliver subject knowledge preparation for language teachers who may already have teaching qualifications but who do not have a degree relevant to English subject knowledge. From 2004/05, language teachers holding a first degree in a subject not relevant to the subject they teach must complete a postgraduate programme focusing on the subject knowledge of that particular language. The HKIEd's PDES Programme is recognized as having fulfilled the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) requirement in English subject knowledge (PGSK).

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Programme Aims

The Programme aims to provide current and prospective teachers with the necessary subject knowledge to support their role as language teachers. On completion of the Programme, participants will have knowledge of seven core areas of English, namely Phonology; Lexis; Pedagogical Grammar; Discourse; Sociolinguistics; Second Language Acquisition; and Literature. The Programme also aims to strengthen participants’ analytical, appreciative, critical, and independent study abilities.

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Programme Handbook

The PT PDES Programme Handbook has been revised.

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Programme Structure

The PDES Programme includes seven core modules plus one elective module. The length of the Programme is 240 hours, made up of 8 modules of 30 hours each. An academic year comprises 3 semesters plus a 3-week summer term. For detailed information on each module, please click on the module outlines in the table below.

The programme structure is as follows:

Total: 240 hours
(24 cps)

Completing PDES in 2 years

The PDES Programme is designed to be taken by practicing teachers on a part-time basis over two years. Participants of the programme will normally take 1 module per semester by attending 3-hour classes on either Tuesday or Thursday evenings (Saturday afternoon classes might be available in certain semesters). Participants might need to attend daytime classes during the summer term.

Completing PDES in 1 year

For those with more study time available, the flexible schedule means that the PDES can also be taken intensively, leading to completion in one year. Participants who wish to complete the programme in one year (“Fast Trackers”) will normally take two modules per semester by attending 3-hour classes on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Participants might need to attend daytime classes during the summer term.

Venues

Classes will normally be conducted at the Tai Po Campus. Some modules may be held at the Town Centre at Tai Kok Tsui.

◆ Tai Po Campus
Address: 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories

◆ Town Centre – Close to MTR Olympic Station
Address: Level 2, Long Beach, 8 Hoi Fai Road, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon 

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Package of Modules

Package of Modules (Academic Year 2009-10)

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Methods of Teaching and Learning

Lecturers will facilitate learning by engaging participants in learning activities encouraging dialogue, collaboration, reflection, critical thinking, and independence. Specific strategies will include interactive lecture, seminar, group discussion, presentation (e.g. critiques of reading), research tasks (including use of corpora and other computer databases), and reflective writing. Institute resources such as the English Learning Centre, the Institute Library, and computer labs will be used.

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Credit Exemption

As the postgraduate diploma is intended to substitute for a major in an initial degree in subject knowledge, applicants may apply for credit exemption on the basis of previous studies. Credit exemption will be considered for graduates with previous studies including CE English major and 4-year BEd English minor, to acknowledge their previous related studies. Credit exemption will be subject to an overall maximum limit of 50% of the total credit points of the programme.

English Phonetics and Phonology for English Language Teaching
Lexis, Morphology and Semantics for English Language Teaching
Pedagogical Grammar
Written and Spoken Discourse for English Language Teaching
Sociolinguistics and English as an International Language
Psycholinguistics and Second Language Acquisition
Literature and Language Arts in English
Electives

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LPAT Exemption

Graduates of the PDES Programme will be eligible to apply for full exemption from the Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (LPAT) (English Language) if they have already obtained 'relevant teacher training'.

EDB defines 'relevant teacher training' as recognized initial teacher training with specialism in English and supervised practicum in English teaching. Initial teacher training obtained before September 2000 is recognized for exemption regardless of subject specialism whilst initial teacher training obtained in or after September 2000 must be with specialism in English.

For details, please refer to the EDB website.

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Linkage to Master's Programme

On completion of the PDES Programme, participants may continue to the HKIEd Master's Programme (English Specialization) with maximum 12 credit points exemption.

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Entrance Requirements

Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in a subject other than English.

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Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for the PDES Programme is HK$ 48,000 (HK$ 6,000 per module). However, this amount will vary depending on the credit exemptions granted to the participants.

To encourage serving teachers of the English Language subjects to enhance their subject knowledge in the language they teach, $225 million has been allocated from the Language Fund to set up the Professional Development Incentive Grant Scheme for Language Teachers. The scheme accepts applications starting from 1 April 2004. Each applicant may receive 50% of the tuition fee of an entire programme of study, up to a maximum of HK$ 30,000, upon the successful completion of the approved relevant programmes of study.

For more information regarding the above, please visit the following website:
www.language-education.com

You may also make enquiries at:
Tel No.: 3527 0180
Fax No.: 3184 0417
E-mail: eassu1@edb.gov.hk
Address: Rm 1702, Skyline Tower, 39 Wang Kwong Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon

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1. What are the admission requirements?
Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in a subject other than English.

2. What is the cost of the programme?
$6,000 per module to a maximum of $ 48,000. This amount will vary depending on the credit exemptions granted to the participants.

3. Can I apply for any financial assistance?
Participants who are fulfilling the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) requirement in English subject knowledge (PGSK) through this programme are eligible to apply for the Professional Development Incentive Grant offered by the Education Bureau (EDB). Whether the application will be granted is subject to the approval of the EDB.

4. When can I start the programme?
There are two intakes per year, one in August and one in March.

5. Where will classes be held?
Tai Po Campus and / or HKIEd Town Centre in Tai Kok Tsui.

6. When will classes be scheduled?
Participants will attend classes on two evenings OR one evening and/OR a Saturday afternoon a week. Classes will also be held in summer (daytime and/or evening). The evening classes will normally be held from 6:30 – 9:20 pm and the class on Saturday will normally be held from 2:30 – 5:20 pm , but the exact time is subject to confirmation.

7. How many modules can I take per semester?
The programme is designed to be taken by practicing teachers on a part-time basis over two years. For those with more study time available, the flexible schedule means that the PDES can also be taken intensively, leading to completion in one year. Candidates who wish to complete the programme in one year (“Fast Trackers”) are normally advised to take no more than two modules per semester, for a maximum of eight modules over the year (including summer).

8. Does this programme lead to another academic programme?
Yes, the PDES Programme will provide advanced standing towards the Master Degree.

9. Are exemptions available for previous study?
Yes, please refer to the guidelines on module exemption.

10. Does the programme provide exemption from the Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (LPAT)?
Graduates of the PDES Programme will be eligible to apply for full exemption from LPAT if they have already obtained relevant teacher training. For details, please refer to the EDB website.

11. Is the programme recognized as having fulfilled the SCOLAR requirement for English subject knowledge?
Yes.

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Contact Information

Admission Enquiries: 2948 6886
admission@ied.edu.hk

Programme Enquiries:
2948 8329 (Mr. Jeffrey Keung) or 2948 8481 (Miss Vivian Lee)
pdes@ied.edu.hk

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