The Education Bureau today announced new arrangements in relation to enhanced language proficiency requirements for English and Putonghua teachers in primary and secondary schools, with effect from the 2024-25 school year.

The Language Proficiency Assessment’s (LPA) written and speaking assessments will be replaced by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic Module) and the Test of Proficiency in Putonghua conducted by the State Language Commission.

The bureau and the Hong Kong Examinations & Assessment Authority will stop conducting LPA written and speaking assessments. 

Meanwhile, the bureau will continue to conduct the Classroom Language Assessment (CLA) for teachers. Application details will be released on its website in due course.

Teachers who have attained the required results in LPA written and speaking assessments, and the CLA, and who meet the bureau’s language proficiency requirements, will continue to be recognised.