Overview

Programme Aims

The programme aims to enhance teachers' professional knowledge, skills and attitudes in understanding the wide range of special needs and using the Whole School Approach and effective strategies to support students with special needs in mainstream inclusive or special education settings. At the Basic Level of the programme, participants will recognise the diverse needs of different learners, develop appropriate attitudes and master the necessary support strategies and skills in classroom practices. At the Advanced Level, participants will further examine the application of the Whole School Approach to cater to special needs and evaluate the effectiveness of relevant learning support and intervention strategies in the school contexts. They are expected to review, plan, implement, and evaluate their school work to address students’ special needs, particularly in relation to the whole school perspective. The thematic studies aim to enhance teachers’ professional capacity in catering to different types of special educational needs (SEN) and address teachers’ continuing professional development (CPD) needs based on the local trends of SEN in the education contexts. After the study, the participants should be competent in taking the initiative to help schools achieve the goals of catering for learning diversity in response to the contextual development in Hong Kong schools.

Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction is mainly Chinese (Cantonese) and will be supplemented by English where appropriate.

**The medium of instruction for the "Certificate in PDP for Teachers (Catering for Diverse Learning Needs) - Thematic Studies on Supporting Students with Specific Learning Difficulties in Learning English" is English.

Entrance Requirements

To be eligible for admission into the Basic Level, applicants should be in-service teachers in primary, secondary or special schools/special education settings.

To be eligible for admission into Advanced Level and/or Thematic Studies, applicants should 1) be in-service teachers in primary, secondary or special schools/special education settings; and 2) have successfully completed the Basic Level programme (or equivalent, e.g. Basic Course on Catering for Diverse Learning Needs of the BAT programme).

Remarks:

• Priority of admission for Basic Level, Advanced Level and Thematic Studies will be given to applicants 1) who are responsible for supporting students with diverse learning needs; and 2) with the Principal’s recommendation.

Award

To be awarded the Certificate of Completion, participants must obtain satisfactory results in all assessment tasks required and successfully fulfill the attendance requirements as stipulated by the programme.

Other Information

Participants who complete our PDPs are eligible to apply for credit transfer if they enroll in our postgraduate programmes. Their applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Remarks: Each school can recommend more than one teacher.