Sept 2027 Entry
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
31
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
Graduates of the programme will be able to:
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Locate and identify AI resources, tools, and affordances relevant to language teaching;
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Apply AI tools in curriculum development, lesson planning and delivery, assessment design, and feedback practices;
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Create new AI programmes or tools to solve problems;
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Exercise agency in AI use by vetting quality, monitoring processes, and thinking critically about the various tools and their functionalities in accessing, prompting, and incorporating AI outputs;
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Make pedagogical decisions based on research in language learning;
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Provide personalised learning experiences using AI‑enhanced tools and strategies;
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Use AI ethically and guide students to adopt responsible AI practices informed by established ethical frameworks;
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Communicate effectively with AI tools, peers, students, parents, and managers by applying their knowledge of AI and language learning.
Outcomes
The programme offers two possible qualifications:
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Postgraduate Diploma in AI for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (19 credits): Students should complete 6 core subjects (16 credits), and any 1 subject from the list of Elective Subjects (3 credits) of the programme with satisfactory performance.
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Master of Science in AI for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (31 credits): Students should complete 6 Core Subjects [16 credits]; and either 5 elective subjects (15 credits) or take the Research Project (6 credits) and associated research method subject (3 credits) as well as two elective subjects (6 credits) with satisfactory performance.
Characteristics
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Unique focus: This programme is among the first in Hong Kong dedicated to integrating AI into TESOL. Unlike existing AI programmes that emphasise computer science and data analytics, it combines technical AI literacy with pedagogical strategies grounded in research-based practices.
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Comprehensive framework: The curriculum adopts Bloom’s information processing hierarchy to structure the development of cognitive skills, from foundational understanding to higher-order thinking and creativity.
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Humanitarian perspective: Beyond technical and pedagogical training, the programme emphasises stakeholder wellbeing. It aims to enhance the experiences of learners, teachers, parents, and administrators, using AI to promote equitable and meaningful educational outcomes.
With AI technologies rapidly transforming language education, the demand for teachers who are not only proficient in English pedagogy but also skilled in applying AI tools has grown significantly. In Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, regions with particularly strong demand for English instruction, graduates will be well‑positioned for roles in primary and secondary schools, higher education institutions, private training centres, and online learning platforms.
Beyond classroom teaching, the programme also prepares graduates for broader career paths, including positions as curriculum designers, educational technologists, and AI integration specialists. This expansion of professional opportunities ensures that graduates will be equipped to contribute not only to TESOL classrooms but also to the wider educational technology and curriculum development, and AI‑enhanced learning sectors.
Programme Structure
Full-time mode: 1 year (2 semesters)
Part-time mode: 2 years (4 semesters)
Core Subjects
- AIH5001 Foundations of AI for Language Education
- CBS5T01 Professional Ethics and Academic Integrity
- ENGL5056 AI Literacy for TESOL
- ENGL5057 Technology-Enhanced Language Assessments
- ENGL5058 AI and Second Language Listening and Speaking
- ENGL5059 AI and Second Language Reading and Writing
Electives Subjects
- AIH5002 Machine Learning for TESOL
- ENGL518 Research Design and Methods
- ENGL587 Research Project*
- ENGL5036 Corpus Linguistics and AI
- ENGL5037 AI-Powered Language Analysis and Communication Strategies
- ENGL5040 Second Language Teaching in the Age of AI
- ENGL5060 Computational Linguistics and TESOL
- ENGL5061 Task-Based Language Teaching and AI
- ENGL5062 AI-Enhanced Curriculum and Materials Development in TESOL
*ENGL587 Research Project: ENGL518 Research Design & Method is a prerequisite
Information on the subjects offered can be obtained here.
The Department reserves the right to revise the curriculum and subject offerings as necessary.
31
Prof. Shaofeng Li
PhD
(This programme is offered subject to approval)
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A Bachelor’s degree in any subject or the equivalent from a recognised institution.
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Applicants are expected to meet ONE of the following English language requirements:
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The Bachelor’s degree is from an English-medium institution;
OR -
A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL) 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, with writing and speaking at least 6.5;
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 meet the University-wide minimum language requirements. Exceptional cases shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For further information, please contact:
Prof. Shaofeng Li (email: shaofeng.li@polyu.edu.hk);
or Ms Jenny Kwan (email: jenny.py.kwan@polyu.edu.hk).
HK$9,400 per credit for both local and non-local students
