Language Proficiency Requirement
Based on 20 years experience of helping Hong Kong’s teachers achieve the Language Proficiency Requirement, Mr May has the skills, knowledge and systems to support you in achieving your LPR goals.
Education Bureau Circular Memorandum No. 74/2024
“All teachers of English holding a regular post in aided schools, as well as teachers of English in government schools, caput schools, Direct Subsidy Scheme schools and private primary / secondary day schools offering a formal curriculum who are comparable to teachers holding a regular post in aided schools should have met the LPR.”
Achieving the LPR
By Exemption
Serving and aspiring teachers who hold a relevant degree in English and have received relevant teacher training with specialism in English will be deemed to have attained the LPR, and may apply for exemption from the LPR.
Applications for exemption from the LPR are accepted all year round as usual. Starting from the 2024/25 school year, new / newly deployed teachers of English holding a regular post should submit applications to EDB before 30 September of the corresponding school year for verification of their eligibility.
By Assessment
IELTS: Teachers should attain an overall band score of 7.5 or above with no individual band scores (i.e. the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking band scores) below 7.0 in the same Test Report Form.
CLA: Teachers should obtain the “attained” result in the Classroom Language Assessment.
Achieving the LPR4 Standard
For an English teacher to be “accorded priority for consideration of promotion/direct appointment to an English Panel Chair (EPC) post in an aided primary/secondary school, he/she should have [attained] ….
an overall band score of 8.0 or above with no individual band scores (i.e. the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking band scores) below 7.5 in the same Test Report Form in the Academic Module of IELTS; AND
within the same sitting of the Classroom Language Assessment, … at least Level 4 or above on three out of the four scales and Level 3 or above on the remaining one scale.”
LPR Training Programmes
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IELTS 7.5 Programme
Achieve your LPR goals.
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IELTS 8.0 Programme
Achieve your LPR4 target.
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Classroom Language Assessment Programme
Work with Mr May to prepare for your Classroom Language Assessment.
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Academic Mentoring Programme
Let us help you complete your relevant English language or teaching qualification - Masters Degree, Bachelor of Education, PGDE or PGDE top-up.
FAQs
What is a “relevant degree in English” for purposes of the LPR?
It is a recognized degree or higher degree with substantial components on the study of English and its use. In the main, this includes degrees specifically in the study of the English language (including English studies, English literature, and linguistics), degrees in education with specialism in English, degrees in the communicative use of English and degrees in translation with English as one of the principal languages studied. Holders of a non-relevant degree who subsequently completed the Post-graduate Programmes in Subject Knowledge for English Language Teachers will be considered as having a relevant degree in English for LPR exemption. Link
What is “relevant teacher training” for purposes of the LPR?
Relevant teacher training' means recognized initial teacher training with specialism in English and supervised practicum in English teaching. As of February 2024, certain programmes were available so that people who are already holders of a PGDE / PGCE / BEd or equivalent and majoring in subjects other than English, will be considered to have fulfilled the SCOLAR requirements on English subject knowledge (PGSK) and relevant teacher training, and will be considered for exemption from the LPR. Link
IELTS test results are only valid for two years. Does this mean I need to resit the IELTS test every two years?
IELTS (Academic Module) test scores remain valid for up to two years after the test date. New or newly deployed English teachers holding a regular post / EPCs who possess valid test results will be deemed to have met the LPR. If teachers have attained the specified results as stated above in the Academic Module of IELTS which are still valid when taking up teaching the English Language subject, they are not required to resit the test.
I didn’t reach the required standard in one skill after my IELTS test. Do I need to resit the whole test?
If you do your One Skill Retake within 60 days of your full computer based IELTS test, you will be issued with a new results slip including your updated IELTS One Skill Retake score as well as the results for the other three skills in the original test. This new results slip appears to meet the LPR requirement that all four skills are reported in the same Test Report Form.
There are a lot of options for taking the IELTS test (computer or paper based at a test centre, or remotely). Which one should I use?
Due to the limitations of the One Skill Retake system, we strongly recommend that you attempt the computer based assessment at an IELTS test centre.