LPAT Information

​

What is LPAT?

• The LPAT provides a channel for teachers/aspiring teachers to attain the Language Proficiency Requirement (LPR) for teaching English/Putonghua.

• Since 2001, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) and the Education Bureau (EDB) have jointly conducted the Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (LPAT) ("the Assessment"). It is held once annually. Anyone who satisfies the entry requirements can enter for the Assessment.

• The LPAT(English Language) comprises five papers.  They are Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Classroom Language Assessment (CLA).  

• The HKEAA will administer the written and speaking papers of the Assessment. CLA will be administered by the EDB and is offered to serving teachers only. 

• Source: https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/teacher/qualification-training-development/qualification/language-proficiency-requirement/lpat.htm

 

Exemption from the Language Proficiency Requirement (LPR)

• Applicants applying for exemption from the LPR (English Language) who are holding a relevant degree plus relevant teacher training will be granted full exemption from the LPR (English Language) and will be deemed to have reached Level 3 proficiency in the LPR (English Language). 

• Details: https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/teacher/qualification-training-development/qualification/language-proficiency-requirement/exemption.html

​

LPAT Certificates

• When applicants have fully attained the LPR or have attained an overall proficiency level of 4 or above, they can apply for the LPR Attainment Certificate or Certificate of Merit.

• Details: https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/teacher/qualification-training-development/qualification/language-proficiency-requirement/results-and-certificates.htm

​

LPAT requirement for English Panel Chair

 For a teacher appointed as the English Panel Chair, he/she should have attained an average proficiency at Level 4 of the English Language Proficiency Requirement (LP4) which means that he/she has met both of the following criteria:

 

• (a)     attained at least Level 3 in all the five papers in the Language Proficiency Requirement for English teachers.  Specifically, he/she has to attain ‘3’ or above in Reading and Listening. For Writing, Speaking and Classroom Language Assessment (CLA), the teacher has to attain, in one sitting, ‘3’ or above in all the scales of the respective papers; AND

• (b)     attained at Level 4 or above for three papers at least.  For Writing, Speaking and CLA, Level 4 is deemed to have been attained if more than half of the scales of the respective papers are scored, in one sitting, at ‘4’ or above (i.e. having attained Level 4 in three or more scales in Writing and CLA and four or more scales in Speaking).

​

Source: https://www.edb.org.hk/EDNEWHP/resource/edu_doc/coa/sec_coa/App09.htm

​

Reference materials

• Handbooks:  https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/teacher/qualification-training-development/qualification/language-proficiency-requirement/lpat/lpat_handbooks.html

• Assessment reports: https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/teacher/qualification-training-development/qualification/language-proficiency-requirement/lpat/lpat_assessment_reports.html

• Question papers: https://online.hkeaa.edu.hk/Bookstore/faces/1_home.xhtml;jsessionid=ilGWgf42mUWtM38ib_84PmmF5QpC4Ve9jJy0UkNKh9I-mzM_k72g!-77754729 

• Briefing session PowerPoint slides: http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/DocLibrary/Local/Language_Proficiency_Assessment_for_Teachers/2017LPAT_5_E.pdf

​

​