Master of Arts in International Language Education
MA(ILE)
Full-time
1 year
Students admitted to the dual degree program with University of Southern California (USC) can normally complete both programs in two years in full-time mode.
Local students: HK$85,000
Non-local students: HK$100,000
Students who take additional course(s) are required to pay HK$3,500 for each additional credit. Students who need to retake failed course(s) must pay the pro-rated fee for the necessary course(s).
For students of the dual degree pathway with credit transfer from USC, the program fee will be charged according to the number of credits taken at HKUST. The tuition fee for the USC program will be paid directly to USC.
Academic Directors:
Dr Claudia WONG, Senior Lecturer of Center for Language Education
Prof Min ZHANG, Associate Professor of Humanities
The Master of Arts (MA) Program in International Language Education offers an advanced English-taught postgraduate education in two specialized concentrations, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL), for qualified candidates to teach English or Chinese as a second language. Taught by experts with an integrated combination of extensive teaching and research experience in bilingual contexts, the program aims to prepare language professionals for a dynamic global career, with a solid foundation in applied linguistics and research-informed language teaching approaches.
The School of Humanities and Social Science has entered into collaboration with the Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California (USC) to offer a dual degree pathway for the program leading to a Master of Arts degree in International Language Education awarded by HKUST, and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages awarded by USC. The dual degree program will draw on the complementary strengths in language teaching of both Schools, and will enable graduates to compete successfully for language teaching positions internationally.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Explain applied linguistics theories;
- Design effective teaching plans and devise appropriate testing methods for second-language teaching based on language pedagogy;
- Effectively teach English or Chinese as a second language in English to non-native speakers;
- Design and implement research-embedded teaching approaches; and
- Lead teaching teams in the development of language curricula and teaching materials.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification.
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Concentration
One of the following:
- IELTS: 7.0 (Writing: 7.0, and other sub-scores: 5.5)
- TOEFL iBT: 100 (Writing: 27/30)
- First language being English
- Having obtained a bachelor’s degree awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was English
Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) Concentration
ENGLISH
One of the following:
- IELTS: 6.5 (all sub-scores: 5.5)
- TOEFL iBT: 85
- First language being English
- Having obtained a bachelor’s degree awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was English
CHINESE
- For applicant whose first language is not Chinese and whose bachelor’s degree is awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was not Chinese:
- Level 5 in Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK by Hanban or the “New HSK”) ; OR
- For applicant whose first language is Chinese or whose bachelor’s degree is awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was Chinese:
- Grade 2B in National Putonghua Proficiency Test (PSC)
- Applicants must declare the concentration they apply for at the time of application. Any transfer between the TESL and TCSL concentrations must be approved by the Academic Directors, and is contingent on whether students can meet the language proficiency requirement of the concentration they would like to transfer to. Double-concentration is not allowed.
- Applicants for the dual degree program with USC should meet the admission requirements of both programs. They should follow the normal application procedures to apply for either the TESL or TCSL Concentration, and declare their interest in the dual degree pathway to the Program Office. Applicants will be selected jointly by both schools. Successful applicants will receive written confirmation from both HKUST and USC for admission to the two programs. Applicants who fail to be selected for the dual degree program may be considered for admission to the MA program of HKUST based on academic merit.
- Current students of the MA program in International Language Education may declare their interest in the dual degree pathway by the end of October each year. Suitable candidates will be selected jointly by HKUST and USC. Successful applicants will normally commence their study at USC in the Spring Term.
- Minimum Credit Requirement
24 credits
- Credit Transfer
Credit transfer is normally not allowed. Students admitted to the dual degree program with University of Southern California (USC) may transfer up to 6 credits from USC to fulfill the program requirements with prior approval of the Academic Director(s).
- Foundation Course
6 credits
- Elective Courses
18 Credits
Students are required to take at least one course (3 credits) from general electives, and at least three courses (9 credits) from either the TESL or the TCSL Concentration.
General Electives
TESL Concentration Electives
TCSL Concentration Electives
Teaching Practicum / Research Project
Selected students may obtain 3 credits through participating in a supervised teaching practicum or a research project. Students cannot take both MILE 6000 and MILE 6980.
Students may substitute no more than six credits (two courses) of elective courses with other courses (including a maximum of one undergraduate course at 4000-level) offered by the School of Humanities and Social Science to fulfill the program requirements with prior approval of the Academic Director(s). The approved substituting courses should be either language teaching-related or culture-related.
- Remarks
Full-time students are required to take a minimum of 9 credits of coursework each regular term.
Last update: 31 July 2018
