The Hong Kong Institute of Education



	Certificate in Early Childhood Education Programme (Three-year Full-time)
	Qualified Kindergarten Teacher Education Course (One-year Full-time)
	Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education) Programme (Two-year Part-time)
	Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Early Childhood Education) Programme (Three-year Mixed Mode)
	Certificate in Kindergarten Education Programme (Two-year Day Release Mixed Mode) / (Two-year Evening Mixed Mode)

Certificate in Early Childhood Education Programme (Three-year Full-time)

Programme Code	:	A3C020
Programme Co-ordinator	:	Ms Wong Siu Man (Tel: 2948 7532)

Aims of the Programme

The Programme provides students with the academic and professional preparation necessary to become competent, caring and reflective beginning teachers able to work in a range of early childhood settings and undertake further professional advancement. Graduates of the programme are eligible to register as Qualified Kindergarten Teachers and Child Care Workers.

Programme Description

The Programme adopts a modular credit point system. Each module carries specific credit points with each credit point representing 36 hours of total student effort consisting of both contact hours and independent learning. This Programme requires successful completion of 90 credit points of module work and 12 credit points of Field Experience which includes 18 weeks of block practice in early childhood settings, school attachment and educational visits.

A wide range of teaching methods will be utilised, such as workshops, seminars, discussion, where appropriate, in the delivery of the modules. The emphasis is on guiding and enticing students to actively participate in the learning process; to digest, critically evaluate and apply what is taught; and to acquire the skills for independent, lifelong learning and development.

Programme Structure

The Programme comprises four domains:

Professional Studies

These modules are designed to assist students to develop the professional knowledge, understanding and attitudes necessary in a competent beginning early childhood teacher. They are divided into two strands, namely Foundations of Early Childhood Education, and Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education. Important aspects such as special educational needs and Information Technology elements are infused throughout the Programme.

Modules in Foundations of Early Childhood Education strand are:

	Introduction to Early Childhood Education
	Child Development I: Infants and Toddlers
	Child Development II: Preschoolers
	Child Development III: School Children
	Development of Early Childhood Educator
	Introduction to Preschool Management
	Parent and Community Relations
	Children with Special Educational Needs

Modules in Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education strand are:

	Introduction to Early Childhood Teaching and Learning
	Contemporary Early Childhood Teaching Approaches
	Children's Health and Care
	Introduction to Curriculum Development
	Early Childhood Curriculum: Theory and Practice
	Enhancing Creativity and Aesthetic Development
	Developing a Scientific and Mathematical Mind
	Enhancing Language Development
	Promoting Children's Health and Social Well Being
	Information Technology in Education
	Early Experience in English
	Early Experience in Putonghua
	Computer Applications in the Early Childhood Curriculum

Subject Studies

This domain enhances students' academic background and ensures that they have the appropriate subject knowledge and skills to teach the relevant subject areas in pre-school curricula. The modules are:

	Chinese I
	Chinese II
	English I
	Putonghua I
	Two electives from the following: Art I, Mathematics I, Music I, Physical Education I,Science I & Social Studies I

General Education

This domain, through its twin modules "Lifeskills" and "Culture & Society", enhances students' personal development. The former focuses on self-improvement skills to meet the needs of a modern society. The latter helps students to understand the overall context in which they will work as teachers.

Field Experience

This domain provides an avenue for students to apply theory into practice, with emphasis on the development of critical and analytical thinking. Through block practice, school attachment and educational visits, Field Experience enables students to acquire, refine and demonstrate the skills required in competent beginning teachers.

Medium of Instruction

The Programme will be conducted in Chinese. For some modules, English will be adopted as the medium of instruction where it is considered more pedagogically effective.

Venue

Tai Po Campus

Entrance Requirements

Applicants should:

1.	have obtained Grade E or above in at least SIX DIFFERENT subjects, including Mathematics, Chinese Language and English Language (Syllabus B) at HKCEE level in not more than two sittings, with at least four subjects in one sitting; AND
2.	have scored at least 11 points for the best six subjects in the HKCEE(s) mentioned in item 1 above; OR
3.	satisfactorily completed S7.

Note 1:	An achievement of Grade C in English Language (Syllabus A) is regarded as equivalent to Grade E in English Language (Syllabus B) for the purpose of this requirement.
Note 2:	Grades A to E are given the numerical values of 5 to 1 respectively for the purpose of calculating points.

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Qualified Kindergarten Teacher Education Course (One-year Full-time)

Programme Code	:	A1C013
Programme Co-ordinator	:	Dr Joyce Li (Tel: 2948 7533)

Aims of the Programme

This Programme enables students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become caring and competent beginning teachers in early childhood education settings. Graduates of this Programme are eligible to register as Qualified Kindergarten Teachers and Child Care Workers.

Programme Description

The curriculum is based on the existing In-service QKT Courses and the Basic Programme for Kindergarten Teachers and Child Care Workers. It adopts a modular credit point system. Each module in the Programme carries specific credit points, with each credit point representing 15 contact hours. Students are also expected to put in additional time for reading, assignments and independent study. The Programme requires successful completion of 31 credit points of module work and 6 credit points of Field Experience encompassing 8 weeks of block practice in early childhood settings, school attachment and educational visits.

Programme Structure

The Programme consists of the following three domains:

Professional Studies

The modules in this domain are designed to provide students with the professional knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for a beginning early childhood teacher. Modules are divided into two strands, namely Foundations of Early Childhood Education, and Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education.

Modules in Foundations of Early Childhood Education strand are:

	Introduction to Early Childhood Education
	Development of Young Children

Modules in Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education strand are:

	Learning and Teaching in Early Childhood Settings
	Children's Health and Care
	Introduction to Curriculum Studies
	Preacademic Experience
	Enhancing Creativity and Self-Expression

Subject Studies

The Subject Studies domain aims to enhance students’ subject knowledge relevant to the subject areas in pre-school curricula. The modules are:

	Chinese Language Studies
	Two subject electives, one from Group I (English, Mathematics, Exploring Science in Early Childhood & Social Studies) and one from Group II (Art & Craft, Music I & Physical Education)

Field Experience

Field Experience is an integral part of the Programme. It provides opportunities for students to gain practical experience and consolidate the knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes required of a qualified early childhood practitioner. The components of Field Experience include block practice, school attachment and educational visits.

Medium of Instruction

The Programme will be conducted in Chinese. For some modules, English will be adopted as the medium of instruction where it is considered to be more pedagogically effective.

Venue

Tai Po Campus

Entrance Requirements

Applicants should have obtained Grade E or above in at least FIVE DIFFERENT subjects, including Chinese Language and English Language (Syllabus A or B) at HKCEE level in not more than two sittings.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education) Programme

(Two-year Part-time)*

Programme Code	:	C2P040
Programme Co-ordinator	:	Dr Freda Yuen (Tel : 2948 7596)

* Curriculum details of this new programme are subject to the Institute's approval.

Programme Aims

This is an initial teacher education programme for untrained but graduate early childhood teachers, providing them with the professional knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to work competently in a variety of early childhood education settings. Graduates of this programme will have met the requirements for registration as Qualified Kindergarten Teachers and Registered Child Care Workers.

Programme Structure

This is a two-year part-time programme consisting of 35 credit points (cp).Participants will normally be required to attend two 3-hour evening classes per week, with some Saturday sessions.The Programme comprises an orientation programme and the following components:

1.	Teaching Subject Studies	12 cps
2.	Professional Studies	12 cps
3.	Elective Studies	3 cps
4.	Field Experience	8 cps

Orientation Programme

All participants must attend an orientation programme which includes information about the curriculum, campus facilities and services as well as an IT workshop.

Teaching Subject Studies

The Teaching Subject Studies modules help participants acquire the necessary understanding and expertise for promoting young children's holistic development and learning in all domains.Included in the Studies are the study of the theory and practice of integrated curriculum as well as the following contemporary pedagogical approaches:

	Promoting Children's Health & Wellbeing
	Promoting Language & Literacy in Early Childhood
	Scientific & Mathematical Explorations for Young Children
	Enhancing Children's Creativity and Self-expression

Professional Studies

The Professional Studies modules provide an understanding of the elements of foundational disciplines required by an early childhood educator, from broad understanding of children's development and the learning process to the contexts of development and education. The modules include:

	Child Development
	Foundations & Processes of Learning
	The Professional Teacher in Classroom, School & Community
	Critical Issues in Education

Elective Studies

The programme also provides an opportunity for participants to take one Elective Studies module in a Teaching Subject Studies elective, or Professional Studies in early childhood education of their own choice, comprising:

Teaching Subject Studies electives:

	Early Experience in English
	Early Experience in Putonghua

Professional Studies electives:

	School-Family-Community Partnerships
	Leadership & Management in Early Childhood Settings
	Understanding and Managing Diversity

Field Experience

The Field Experience module comprises three main components, namely, Educational Visits, Reflective Teaching Journal and Block Teaching Practice:

1.	In Educational Visits, participants will have the opportunity to visit kindergartens / child care centres / crches.
2.	Reflective Teaching Journal includes analysis of participant's own conception of teaching, reflective records of try-outs of teaching strategies and approaches introduced in various modules.
3.	In Block Teaching Practice, participants can try out what they have learnt in the Teaching Subject Studies and Professional Studies modules, as well as devise ways to test their teaching effectiveness.

Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction is mainly Chinese. English is adopted as the language of instruction for relevant modules, as appropriate.

Entrance Requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants should normally:

1.	hold a recognized degree, or equivalent; and
2.	be employed as a teacher in an early childhood education setting.

In addition to the above minimum requirements for admission, applicants may also be required to attend an interview.

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Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Early Childhood Education) Programme

(Three-year Mixed Mode)

Programme Code	:	E3B009
Programme Co-ordinator	:	Dr Margaret Wong (Tel : 2948 7115)

The Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Early Childhood Education) Programme (BEd(ECE)) is a 60-credit point three-year mixed mode programme designed to "add-on" to the in-service Certificate in Kindergarten Education (Chinese) Programme (CE(KG)), or the pre-service Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Chinese) Programme (CE(ECE)) or equivalent programmes to form a full programme of 120 credit points. Graduates of the two certificate programmes or equivalent will be given advanced standing of 60 credit points.

This programme is specifically designed for the Hong Kong context with its unique mix of Chinese and Western cultural influences and traditions. Its design has benefited from the input of the Institute's two collaborating partners, the University of Toronto-Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Nanjing Normal University.Participants will therefore benefit from the early childhood expertise of local and international staff, with cross-cultural insights from China and Western societies.

Aims of the Programme

The programme assists qualified early childhood educators to become highly competent, innovative and ethical professionals who are able to contribute to the development of quality programmes for young children and their families in Hong Kong.

Programme Structure

The programme is taught in the Tai Po campus or Town Centre over three years on a mixed mode basis, with some elective modules offered in either one of the two campuses.It comprises a three-year part-time evening programme and two full-time summer programmes. The part-time programme normally comprises two 3-hour evening sessions per week. The summer programme comprises full-time sessions of six hours per day for 4 weeks in July and August.

The programme contains three main domains of study, namely Professional Studies, Subject Studies and Field Experience.

Professional Studies

This domain includes modules primarily focused on children and their families or on education theory. These are subdivided into the Foundations of Early Childhood Education and Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education strands. There are core and elective modules in both strands. The core modules are sequenced to start with a focus on participants' personal development, leading to children's studies and then contextual factors. Further, the offering of the core and elective modules have been organized in order to allow participants of two adjacent cohorts the opportunity to select from the full range of elective modules. The elective modules enable participants to follow up areas of interest at greater depth or to further develop specialist knowledge and skills in selected areas.

A Project of supervised research has to be conducted over the final two semesters of the programme. Relevant research methodology is introduced in an earlier module, Research Methods of Child Study, and a further up-grading and broadening of research theory will be provided in the Project module.

Subject Studies

Modules in this domain enable participants to further extend their personal and professional development and their own knowledge base in a selected subject area. Participants may wish to enrich their personal competencies in a related discipline or they may wish to continue studying in an area introduced at the Certificate level.

Participants are required to complete three subject studies modules, namely, Chinese, English and one elective. The role of the two language Subject Studies modules is to further participants' ability to use Chinese and English for professional and academic purposes, and to enhance their communicative competence in the two languages.

Field Experience

The Field Experience domain consists of two Integrated Field Studies, one for each of the first two years of the programme. The Integrated Field Studies modules aim to:

	assist participants to further develop their teaching competence and reflective capabilities in their professional development;
	promote integration of theory and practice for programme participants to critically translate programme content into work place practice; and
	foster the use of systematic inquiry as a tool for improving practice.

	Participants may also choose to develop one of their Integrated Field Studies into a project.

The Curriculum

Semester

Module Titles

Year 1

Semester 1

Theoretical Perspectives on Early Childhood Practice (3 cp)

English II (3 cp)

Integrated Field Studies I (2 cp)

Semester 2

Teaching and Learning in ECE electives (3 cp) (Group A)
1.	Children's Scientific and Mathematical Thinking
2.	Designing Programmes for Infants and Toddlers
3.	Promoting Children's Creativity through Art
4.	Promoting Children's Creativity through Music and Movement

Chinese III (3 cp)

Issues in Child Health, Safety and Welfare (3 cp)

Year 2

1st Summer

Foundations of ECE electives or Subject Studies electives (3 cp)

Foundations of ECE electives
1.	Cultural Views of Children in Literature
2.	Empowering Young Children as Learners
3.	Helping Children with Trouble-some Behaviours
4.	Leadership in IT for Early Childhood Settings

Subject Studies electives
1.	Art II
2.	English III
3.	Mathematics II
4.	Putonghua II

Current Curriculum Issues in Early Childhood Education (3 cp)

Semester 3

Emergent Literacy (3 cp)

Current Trends in Child Development (3 cp)

Integrated Field Studies II (2 cp)

Semester 4

Teaching and Learning in ECE electives (3 cp)

(Group A)
1.	Children's Scientific and Mathematical Thinking
2.	Designing Programmes for Infants and Toddlers
3.	Promoting Children's Creativity through Art
4.	Promoting Children's Creativity through Music and Movement
(Group B)
1.	Counselling and Guidance
2.	Integrating Children with Special Needs
3.	Recent Developments in Assessing Young Children

Research Methods of Child Study (3 cp)

Year 3

2nd Summer

Foundations of ECE electives or Subject Studies electives (3 cp)

Foundations of ECE electives
1.	Cultural Views of Children in Literature
2.	Empowering Young Children as Learners
3.	Helping Children with Trouble-some Behaviours
4.	Leadership in IT for Early Childhood Settings

Subject Studies electives
1.	Chinese IV
2.	Music II
3.	Physical Education II
4.	Science II
5.	Social Studies II

Comparative Early Childhood Education (3 cp)

Semester 5

Issues in Transition (3 cp)

Working with Diverse Families: Theory and Practice (3 cp)

Project (5 cp)

Semester 6

Teaching and Learning in ECE electives (3 cp)
(Group B)
1.	Counselling and Guidance
2.	Integrating Children with Special Needs
3.	Recent Developments in Assessing Young Children

Foundations of ECE electives (3 cp)
1.	Leadership and Management in Early Childhood Settings
2.	Leadership in IT for Early Childhood Settings
3.	Helping Children with Trouble-some Behaviours
4.	School-Based Development in Early Childhood Settings

Teaching Methods

The teaching methods of the programme aim to encourage participants to challenge and extend their understanding of early childhood education in general, and their own practice in particular. Approaches to teaching are generally interactive and non-didactic. Participants will be encouraged to reflect and build on their practical experience through participation in workshops, seminars and tutorials in a stimulating teaching and learning environment.

Medium of Instruction

The programme is mainly conducted in Chinese. For some modules, English will be adopted as the medium of instruction where it is considered to be more pedagogically effective.

Venue

Tai Po Campus (for full-time summer programme)
and
Tai Po Campus / Town Centre (for part-time evening programme)

Entrance Requirements

Applicants should normally have:

1.	completed the Certificate in Kindergarten Education Programme (CE(KG)) or Certificate in Early Childhood Education Programme (CE(ECE)) or equivalent with a Grade Point Average of 2.0 or above;
2.	attained proficiency in Chinese Language comparable with Chinese II within the CE(KG) and CE(ECE); and
3.	attained proficiency in English Language comparable with English I within the CE(KG) and CE(ECE).

Applicants who cannot produce evidence of having attained the specified proficiency in Chinese and English will be required to pass a language entry test.

Eligible applicants may be required to attend an interview.

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Certificate in Kindergarten Education Programme (Two-year Day Release Mixed Mode)

/ (Two-year Evening Mixed Mode)

Programme Code	:	E2C007 - Two-year Day Release Mixed Mode
		E2C008 - Two-year Evening Mixed Mode
Programme Co-ordinator	:	Dr Audrey Lim (Tel : 2948 7755) & Dr Amanda Wong (Tel : 2948 7544)

Aims of the Programme

The programmes enable participants to build on their previous qualification and experience in early childhood education and further develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of competent, caring and reflective preschool educators who are able to construct their own personal philosophy of teaching and learning.

Programme Structure

These are 68-credit point programmes, including 4 credit points of Supervised Independent Studies (SIS) and 8 credit points of Supervised Teaching and Field Work. The programmes consist of the following four domains:

Professional Studies

Foundations of Early Childhood Education
Module 1:	Child Development and Assessment
Module 2:	Child Development and Assessment (Supervised Independent Studies)
Module 3:	Foundations of Education
Module 4:	Introduction to Preschool Management
Module 5:	Parent and Community Relations
Module 6:	Children with Special Educational Needs
Module 7:	Choose ONE elective from the following:
	-	Guidance in Early Childhood Education
	-	Leadership in Early Childhood Education
	-	Care and Protection of Young Children
	-	Mentoring in Early Childhood Settings

Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education
Module 8:	Teaching and Learning in the Contemporary Preschool
Module 9:	Early Childhood Curriculum: Theory and Practice
Module 10:	Enhancing Creativity and Aesthetic Development
Module 11:	Developing a Scientific and Mathematical Mind
Module 12:	Enhancing Language Development
Module 13:	Promoting Children's Health & Social Well Being
Module 14:	Developing an Integrated Curriculum (Supervised Independent Studies)
Module 15:	Choose ONE elective from the following:
	-	Early Experience in English
	-	Early Experience in Putonghua
	-	Computer Applications in the Early Childhood Curriculum
	-	Chinese as a Medium of Instruction

Subject Studies

Module 1:	Chinese
Module 2&3:	Choose TWO electives from the following:
	-	Art and Design
	-	Music
	-	Physical Education
	-	Humanities
	-	Environmental Studies
	-	Human Dynamics
	-	Mathematics
	-	Computer Applications
	-	Science, Technology and Society
	-	Health Education
	-	Putonghua
	-	English I

General Education

Module 1:	Lifeskills
Module 2:	Computer Literacy
Module 3 &4:	-	Basic Putonghua
	-	Basic English

Field Experience

	Practicum Workshops I & II
	Supervised Teaching and Field Work I & II

Duration and Time

Two-year Day Release Mixed Mode Programme (E2C007)

The programme is offered on a two-year part-time basis with a 4-week summer block between the two years. It follows a modular structure with on-going school-based supervised teaching.Participants are required to attend three 3-hour sessions per week from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Some Saturday sessions may be required.

Two-year Evening Mixed Mode Programme (E2C008)

The programme is offered on a two-year part-time basis with a 4-week summer block between the two years. It follows a modular structure with on-going school-based supervised teaching.Participants are required to attend three 3-hour sessions per week from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Some Saturday sessions may be required.

Venues

Two-year Day Release Mixed Mode Programme (E2C007)

Town Centre (for Day Release Programme)
and
Tai Po Campus (for Full-time Summer Block Programme)

Two-year Evening Mixed Mode Programme (E2C008)

Town Centre or Tai Po Campus (for Evening Programme)
and
Tai Po Campus (for Full-time Summer Block Programme)

Entrance Requirements

Applicants should:

1.	currently be principals, centre supervisors or class teachers working in registered early childhood education institutions using Chinese as the medium of instruction; and
2.	hold "Qualified Kindergarten Teacher" status or equivalent.

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