Sept 2025 Entry
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
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This programme has four specialisms:
English Language Arts (英語語言藝術)
English for the Professions (專業英語)
English Language Studies (英語語言)
English Language Teaching (英語教學)
Applicants should indicate their chosen specialism when applying.
Students admitted to the programme may switch to another specialism after completing the 4 Core Subjects (12 credits in total).
What's New
- Undergraduate
- Taught Postgraduate
- Undergraduate
Aims and Outcomes
The programme aims to provide students with a comprehensive and critical understanding of the theory and practice of English in educational and professional contexts. The knowledge and skills students acquire in the programme enable them to become innovative and reflective professionals in a range of institutional settings.
After completing the MAESP programme, students should have the following attributes.
Professional competence
1. A comprehensive understanding of the principal language systems of English (sound, semantics, discourse and lexico-grammar) and their interrelatedness
2. An awareness of contextual variation in English across a range of modes, genres and settings
3. A profound understanding of how English functions in educational and professional contexts and communities
4. A deep understanding of advances in theory, research and practice in their chosen specialism
5. Ability to apply a repertoire of methodologies, approaches and tools to analyse language and communication in settings relevant to their specialism
6. Ability to plan, conduct and report on empirical research into issues and problems relating to the acquisition and use of English for educational and/or professional purposes
7. An advanced understanding and appreciation of a wide range of literary and imaginative texts and events
Strategic thinking
8. Ability to work independently and collaboratively to analyse and resolve theoretical issues and practical problems relating to the use of English in their chosen specialism
9. Ability to apply critical and creative thinking skills strategically in educational and workplace contexts
Lifelong learning
10. Capability for lifelong learning and professional development through inquiry into and reflection on professional practices.
Characteristics
There are two possible study outcomes and qualifications, as follows:
1. Postgraduate Diploma in English Studies for the Professions (19 credits): students should complete the 5 Core Subjects (13 credits) and any 2 subjects from the lists of specialism-related Core Subjects.
2a. Master of Arts in English Studies for the Professions (English Language Studies/English Language Teaching/English for the Professions) (31 credits): students should complete the 5 Core Subjects (13 credits); 2 specialism-related Core Subjects (6 credits); and either 4 specialism-specific Electives (12 credits) or the Research Project (6 credits) plus the Associated Research Methods subject (3 credits) and 1 specialism-specific Elective (3 credits).
2b. Master of Arts in English Studies for the Professions (English Language Arts) (31 credits): students should complete the 5 Core Subjects (13 credits); 3 specialism-related Core Subjects (9 credits); and either 3 specialism-specific Electives (9 credits) or the Research Project (6 credits) plus the Associated Research Methods subject (3 credits).
Whom is the programme for?
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English Language Teaching (ELT) – for serving and future English language teachers who wish to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to design and deliver engaging and effective English-language courses for general and specific purposes.
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English Language Studies (ELS) – for professionals who have a genuine interest in English and/or wish to develop their understanding of the systems and uses of English and how these relate to their work.
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English for the Professions (EP) – for professionals of all disciplines who wish to upgrade their ability in English and need to demonstrate a high level of communicative competence in English in their professional workplace.
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English Language Arts (ELA) – for professionals who are interested in language arts (e.g. plays, poems, and literature) and/or English language teachers who wish to receive in-depth training in the study of language arts.
Professional Recognition
- New and serving English language teachers who have successfully completed the MAESP (ELT/ELS/ELA) programme are regarded by the Education Bureau (EDB) as having a degree with a relevant language major.
- The MAESP (ELT/ELS/ELA) programme meets 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.
Programme Structure
Full-time mode: 1 year (2 semesters and 1 summer term)
Part-time mode: 2 years (4 semesters and 1-2 summer terms)
Core Areas of Study
Compulsory Subjects
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Introduction to the Sound System of English
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Discourse Analysis
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English Semantics and Lexis
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Analytical Perspectives in English Grammar
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Professional Ethics and Academic Integrity
Specialism-related Core Subjects
English Language Arts
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Second Language Learning
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Language Development and Use
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English Literature and Language Arts
English for the Professions
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Practical Communication Strategies I
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Practical Communication Strategies II
English Language Studies
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Language Development and Use
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English Literature and Language Arts
English Language Teaching
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Second Language Learning
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Second Language Teaching
Specialism-specific Electives
English Language Arts
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Popular Culture and English
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Oral Language Arts
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Second Language Teaching
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Drama for Language Learning
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Critical Language and Cultural Studies
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Multimodality and Professional Communication
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Research Design and Methods
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Communication
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The Sociology of Language: Social and Economic Perspectives
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Syllabus Planning and Materials Design
English for the Professions
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Pragmatic Disorders
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Language and Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
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Communication
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Multimodality and Professional Communication
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The Sociology of Language: Social and Economic Perspectives
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Critical Language and Cultural Studies
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Research Design and Methods
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Language and Crime
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Syllabus Planning and Materials Design
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Drama for Language Learning
English Language Studies
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Pragmatic Disorders
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Communication
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Oral Language Arts
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Multimodality and Professional Communication
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Popular Culture and English
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The Sociology of Language: Social and Economic Perspectives
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Language and Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
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Research Design and Methods
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Language and Crime
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Syllabus Planning and Materials Design
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Drama for Language Learning
English Language Teaching
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Syllabus Planning and Materials Design
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Testing and Assessment
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Drama for Language Learning
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Oral Language Arts
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Critical Language and Cultural Studies
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Popular Culture and English
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Multimodality and Professional Communication
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The Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching
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Research Design and Methods
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Communication
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The Sociology of Language: Social and Economic Perspectives
Information on the subjects offered can be obtained here.
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Dr William Dezheng Feng
BA, MA, PhD
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A Bachelor’s degree in any subject or the equivalent from a recognised institution. In the case of applicants intending to specialise in English Language Teaching, English Language Studies or English Language Arts, preference will be given to those who majored in English or a communication-related field. Applicants wishing to specialise in English for the Professions are not expected to have majored in English or a communication-related field.
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Applicants are expected to meet ONE of the following requirements:
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A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 96 or above for the Internet-based test;
OR -
An overall Band Score of at least 7 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module;
OR -
A level of competence in English as demonstrated in the admission interview and written test set by the Department of English and Communication, which indicates that the applicant is capable of studying successfully at the taught MA level*.
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Notes
*This only applies to either native English speakers or non-native English applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a university using English as the medium of instruction (EMI). Non-native speakers or applicants without a Bachelor’s degree from an EMI university must still fulfil the University-wide minimum language requirements. Exceptional cases will be considered individually.
For further information, please contact:
Dr William Dezheng Feng (email: will.feng@polyu.edu.hk);
or Ms Jenny Kwan (email: jenny.py.kwan@polyu.edu.hk).
4 for local students
6 for non-local students
Please click here to download.
HK$6,500 per credit for both local and non-local students
Copies of both academic transcripts and graduation certificates are required.
- Copy of IELTS or TOEFL results is required (if your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English).
- Recommendation letter, CV and personal statement are optional.
Note
For students who fail to provide original or true certified copies of the above documents upon request, PolyU has the right to withdraw their offers to the program, or terminate their student status.