Programme Aims

This programme prepares university graduates to become competent and confident teachers in secondary schools in Hong Kong. It provides opportunities for participants to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of fully qualified secondary school teachers, together with an understanding of the responsibilities and obligations expected of members of the teaching profession. In addition, the programme seeks to foster a commitment of the participants to their students and to lifelong professional development.

Programme Structure

This programme is delivered in two different modes: One-year Full-time (FT PGDE(S)) and Two-year Part-time (PT PGDE(S)). It is a modularised programme consisting of 30-33 credit points (cps). Participants of FT PGDE(S) are normally required to attend classes during the week (Monday to Saturday) with some evening sessions. Participants of PT PGDE(S) are normally required to attend two/three 3-hour/4-hour classes per week, on weekday evening(s) starting from 6:30 p.m. and Saturday morning and/or afternoon in Tai Po Campus/ Tseung Kwan O Study Centre and/or Sports Centre as decided by the University.

Major Subject Studies – Subject Methods

Participants are required to take one subject as Major Subject Studies, which should normally be the major subject in their degree studies (please refer to the entrance requirements for details). Subject to sufficient demand, the following subjects may be offered in the 2017/18 academic year:

Major Subject Studies (MSS)

• Design and Technology
• English
• History (for FT mode only)
• Information Technology (for PT mode only)
• Liberal Studies
• Mathematics (for PT mode only)
• Physical Education (for FT mode only)
• Science (for PT mode only)

Education Studies

This component provides participants with an understanding of foundational disciplines required of classroom teachers, i.e. psychology, sociology and philosophy of education, together with generic skills for planning, teaching and assessment. This interdisciplinary knowledge helps participants understand their own teaching, their own personal development, and culture and society at large. The participants can also evaluate current local curriculum and assessment issues. They are introduced to the implications for teaching and learning arising from the diverse range of learners' needs, the organisational culture of the school and the need to create and maintain a positive classroom climate. The courses are:

• Foundations and Processes of Learning
• Philosophical and Socio-cultural Issues in Education
• Teacher Leadership and Professionalism in Changing Contexts
• Curriculum and Assessment

Elective Studies – Core / General

The Elective Studies component covers two parts: Core and General. The Elective Core course enables participants to fulfill specific subject requirements while the Elective General is to allow participants to have choices in directing their own professional development. The majority of the participants have to study 1 Elective Core of their Major Subject and select 1 Elective General course. These Elective General courses are interdisciplinary in design in order to encourage participants to develop new areas of interest connected to their academic and education studies.