Sept 2027 Entry
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
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This programme has two specialisms:
English for Professional Communication (專業英文傳意)
English Language Teaching (英文教學)
Applicants should indicate their chosen specialism when applying.
Early Round: 2026-10-20
Main Round: 2027-02-25
Early Round: 2026-10-20
Main Round: 2027-02-25
What's New
- Taught Postgraduate
- Undergraduate
- 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. It equips them with advanced knowledge, research skills and professional competencies to analyse language and communication, engage with current developments and emerging technologies, and become innovative and reflective professionals in a range of institutional settings.
After completing the MAESP programme, students should have the following attributes.
Professional competence
- A comprehensive understanding of the principal language systems of English (sound, semantics, discourse and lexico-grammar) and their interrelatedness
- An awareness of contextual variation in English across a range of modes, genres and settings
- A profound understanding of how English functions in educational and professional contexts and communities
- A deep understanding of advances in theory, research and practice in their chosen specialism
- Ability to apply a repertoire of methodologies, approaches and tools, and to leverage changing and emerging technologies, to analyse language and communication in settings relevant to their specialism
- 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
Strategic thinking
- 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
- Ability to apply critical and creative thinking skills strategically in educational and workplace contexts
Lifelong learning
- Capability for lifelong learning and professional development through inquiry into and reflection on professional practices
- Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives in professional and everyday contexts
- Commitment to social awareness, responsibility and leadership, and to acting with integrity as future teachers and professionals
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 3 Core Subjects (7 credits), any 3 subjects from the lists of specialism-specific Core Subjects (9 credits), and any 1 subject from the lists of Elective Subjects (3 credits).
2. Master of Arts in English Studies for the Professions (English Language Teaching/English for Professional Communication) (31 credits)
Students need to complete:
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3 Core Subjects (7 credits);
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3 Specialism-specific Core Subjects (9 credits for EPC); or 5 Specialism-specific Core Subjects (15 credits for ELT)
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5 Specialism-specific Electives (15 credits for EPC) or 3 Specialism-specific Electives (9 credits for ELT)
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 for Professional Communication (EPC) – 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.
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 English Linguistics
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Discourse Analysis
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Professional Ethics and Academic Integrity
Specialism-specific Core Subjects
English for Professional Communication
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Professional Communication and AI: Theory and Practice
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Sociolinguistics at Work
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Digital Media and AI Strategies for Professional Communication
English Language Teaching
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Second Language Learning
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Bilingualism and multilingualism
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Corpus Linguistics and AI
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Task-Based Language Teaching
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English Grammar and Pedagogy
Specialism-specific Electives Subjects
English for Professional Communication
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Language and Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
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Communication and Leadership Strategies
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Applying AI in Writing for Specific Purposes
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Communication and Health in the Age of AI
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Multimodality and Professional Communication
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Language and Crime
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Pragmatic Disorders
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Research Projects
English Language Teaching
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Syllabus Planning and Materials Design
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Introduction to the Sound System of English
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The Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching
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Language teaching in practice with AI
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Testing and Assessment
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Second Language Teaching in the Age of AI
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Time in Second Language Teaching and Learning*
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Research Project
Common Electives Subjects
- Research Design and Methods
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Advanced English Literature
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Cultural Studies
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Popular Culture and English
* Subject to approval
Information on the subjects offered can be obtained here.
The Department reserves the right to revise the curriculum and subject offerings as necessary.
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Prof. John Rogers
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, preference will be given to those who majored in English or a communication-related field. Applicants wishing to specialise in English for Professional Communication 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:
Prof. John Rogers (email: john.rogers@polyu.edu.hk);
or Ms Jenny Kwan (email: jenny.py.kwan@polyu.edu.hk).
Please click here to download.
HK$7,400 per credit for both local and non-local students (Subject to review)
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 programme, or terminate their student status.



