MSc in Educational Speech-language Pathology and Learning Disabilities

News and Notices

BScSPR and MScESLPLD Students and Staff Participated in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) 2025

Eighteen Year-1 students from the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Speech Pathology and Rehabilitation (BScSPR) and sixty-one Year-1 students from the Master of Science in Educational Speech-Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities (MScESLPLD) programme at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) participated in the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) activities in September 2025. They were joined by students from four partner universities: Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm), Hanzehogeschool University of Applied Sciences (Groningen), Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Eindhoven), and Università degli Studi di Padova (Padua). This marked the ninth consecutive year that the Department of Special Education and Counselling (SEC) has participated in the COIL initiative, with an unprecedented total enrolment of 264 students this year.

Students were divided into 35 breakout groups, each comprising members from all five participating universities. Throughout the series of activities, students shared their diverse language and cultural backgrounds, fostering intercultural understanding and collaboration. The programme centred on Hofstede’s 6-Dimension Model of National Culture (https://geerthofstede.com/culture-geert-hofstede-gert-jan-hofstede/6d-model-of-national-culture/), encouraging students to discuss and practice how to respond appropriately to the unique combination of cultural variables across the full range of dimensions that clinicians, clients, and families bring to interactions.

This international and collaborative learning experience deepened students’ intercultural awareness and enriched their understanding of global professional practice in speech-language pathology.

SEC is the host department for both MScESLPLD and BScSPR, which is fully committed to internationalisation and providing non-local experiential activities for our students.

MScESLPLD Students and Staff Participated in the 31st Speech-Language Pathology International Network Summer School at The University of Valladolid, Spain (28 Aug – 4 Sept 2025)

Final year students Sita Chan, Christy Chang, Katie To, Iris Tsang, Margaret Wong, Peggy Wong and Matthew Wong, studying in the Master of Science in Educational Speech-Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities (MScESLPLD) programme at the Department of Special Education and Counselling (SEC), Faculty of Education and Human Development (FEHD), took part in the 31st Speech-Language Pathology International Network Summer School (SLP-IN SS) hosted by the School of Medicine of The University of Valladolid, Spain, from 28 August to 4 September 2025.

This year’s event brought together 74 students and 45 academic and teaching staff from 20 speech-language pathology academic training programmes across 15 countries, creating an exciting platform for academic and cultural exchange. The Summer School featured 40 keynotes and workshops focused on the following themes:

Interprofessional and Intercultural Care
Supporting Healthy Development
Ageing and Redefining Services for the Aged
Technological Applications in Speech-Language Pathology
Clinical Competencies for Real Life and Daily Activities

During the curriculum roadshow event, our MScESLPLD students showcased the unique features of the programme, including its innovative components in learning disabilities. They also introduced Hong Kong’s iconic food culture and highlighted the lexical tone system of Cantonese to their international peers.

SEC staff members Dr Anna Kam, Ms Esther Kwok, Dr Polly Lau, Ms Karen Yu and Dr Kevin Yuen delivered keynote speeches and facilitated workshops on a diverse range of topics, including:

Collaboration with therapy dog and dog handlers in speech-language therapy
Learning disabilities, language and literacy disorders, and auditory processing disorders – exploring the overlap and segregation of these labels, and defining, assessing, and treating children with these conditions
Resilience and wellness workshop
Fostering healthy development: empowering adolescents with language learning difficulties through speech-language strategies
Association between auditory processing, hearing loss, and cognition in older adults
Technological applications in speech-language pathology
The application of generative artificial intelligence in assessment and intervention of speech, language, and communication disorders

The closure event celebrated the international friendships and academic exchanges that form the cornerstone of the SLP-IN.

The MScESLPLD programme, hosted by SEC at EdUHK, is fully endorsed by the Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists (https://www.hkist.org.hk ). Graduates of MScESLPLD are eligible to apply to become “Members of the Register of Speech Therapists accredited by the Department of Health”. SEC is Chinese Mainland’s only affiliated society of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (https://ialp-org.com/).

MScESLPLD students and staff participated in the Speech-Language Pathology International Network Summer school at The University of Malta, 18-25 Aug 2024

Final year students Kristy Chan, Leo Ip, Kristy Poon, Sara Poon, Florence Yuen, studying in the Master of Science in Educational Speech-Language Pathology & Learning Disabilities (MScESLPLD) programme, participated in the 29th Speech-Language Pathology International Network Summer school (SLP-IN SS) hosted by the Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders of The University of Malta from 18-25 Aug 2024. 79 students and 32 academic/ teaching staff from 20 speech-language pathology academic training programmes worldwide gathered in Malta for this exciting academic and cultural exchange event. There were 25 keynotes and workshops tailored for this year’s themes:

Exploring Global Perspectives within Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
Innovative Technology Applications for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)
Ageing: From Adolescence Onwards in the Field of SLP
Advanced Treatment Techniques in SLP
Interprofessional and Intercultural Practice for SLPs

In the curriculum roadshow event, our students presented the unique MScESLPLD programme, which includes innovative programme components in learning disabilities. They introduced to their international peers the names of authentic cafeteria drinks and their Cantonese colloquial abbreviations.

SEC staff members Dr Polly Lau, Dr Carmen Ooi, and Dr Kevin Yuen conducted workshops on “Speech-language therapy direction for young adults”; “Single case experimental designs”; “Working with dog handler in the incorporation of therapy dog for speech-language therapy”; and “Using open-access acoustic software to measure clinical outcomes related to fundamental frequency”.

Besides work, all staff and students enjoyed a beautiful day at the Gozo Island visiting The UNESCO World heritage Ġgantija Temples and swimming in the Ramla beach! The closure event highlights the international friendships and academic exchanges which is the key objective of the SLP-IN.

The FEHD SEC MScESLPD teaching team is an active partner for the SLP-IN. The team actively participates in the steering committee and the board, which contributes to developing the SLP education programme and research activities in the network.

MScESLPLD has been fully endorsed by the Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists (www.hkist.org.hk). Graduates of MScESLPLD are eligible to apply to become "Member of Register of Speech Therapists accredited by the Department of Health “. MScESLPLD’s host department – The Department of Special Education and Counselling is China's only affiliated society of The International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (ialp-org.com).

Other phtots:

Presentation of Dr LAU Suk Han, Polly, Associate Head at the Department of Special Education and Counselling

Presentation of Dr YUEN Chi Pun, Kevin, Associate Professor at the Department of Special Education and Counselling

Presentation of Dr Carmen Ooi, Lecturer I of the Department of Special Education and Counselling

Hands on workshop on voice training in the 29th SLP-IN SS

EdUHK students and staff participated in the 29th SLP-IN SS

SLP Summer School Network Board Meeting

Restoring happiness to speakand eat in tongue cancer patient. Dr. Lorinda Kwan-Chen, speech therapist of EdUHK explains in TVB documentary programme “Vital Lifeline"

Since tongue is composed of several muscles that aid in swallowing and sound articulation, the ability of people with tongue cancer to speak, eat, and even drink will be affected after their tongue tissue removal surgery.

On 16th January 2023, Dr. Lorinda Kwan-Chen, a speech therapist and Senior Lecturer of SEC, was interviewed by TVB documentary programme – “Vital Lifeline” and talked about how patients with tongue cancer can relearn speaking and swallowing skills through speech and swallowing therapy.

Click here to view the full episode.

Evidence-based Capstone Project Presentation, Graduation Celebration cum Prize Giving Ceremony of MScESLPLD

The Evidence-based Capstone Project Presentation, Graduation Celebration cum Prize Giving Ceremony of the eighth cohort graduates of the Master of Science Programme in Educational Speech-Language Pathology & Learning Disabilities (MScESLPLD) was held on 18 Jun 2022 (Sat). Thirty-two students of MScESLPLD presented the key findings of their capstone projects in specialized areas of speech-language pathology, communication sciences and disorders, learning disabilities, and swallowing disorders. The best students in the research project and presentation were awarded prizes as a token of appreciation.

The ninth cohort students also attended the event to learn from their seniors and show support. It was a jubilant event for the students and staff to get together and pay tribute to the wonderful accomplishments of the MScESLPLD graduates after their 22 months of determined and persistent endeavors.

Internationalization of the MScESLPLD programme

The MScESLPLD students and staff participated in the 17th Thomas More International Days event organized by the Thomas More University of Applied Sciences in Belgium on 16th March 2022. More than 90 speech-language pathology (SLP) students from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Spain, and Belgium joined the event. The event started with a plenary session discussing telepractice in SLP and audiology under the COIVD-19 pandemic, followed by two rounds of six parallel sessions on various SLP topics. Our colleagues, Dr. Carmen Ooi and Ms. Esther Kwok, led the sessions on “Where do we stand? The SLP’s role in inclusive education” and “Impacts of head and neck cancer on patients and how medical SLP manage and care with heart,” respectively.

Evidence-based Capstone Project Presentation, Graduation Celebration Party cum Prize Giving Ceremony of MScESLPLD

The Evidence-based Capstone Project Presentation, Graduation Celebration Party cum Prize Giving Ceremony of the seventh cohort graduates of the Master of Science Programme in Educational Speech-Language Pathology & Learning Disabilities (MScESLPLD) was held on 5 Jun 2021 (Sat). Thirty-nine students of MScESLPLD presented the key findings of their capstone projects which are in specialized areas of speech-language pathology, communication sciences and disorders, learning disabilities and swallowing disorders. The best students in research project and presentation were awarded with prizes as a token of appreciation.

The eighth cohort students also attended the event to learn from their seniors and show support. It was a jubilant event for the students and staff to get together and pay tribute to the wonderful accomplishments of the MScESLPLD graduates after their 22 months of determined and persistent endeavours.

Award for Clinical Excellence in Neurogenic Speech and Language Pathologies

Congratulations to MScELSPLD students Po Mi Ya (Mia) and Lee Yi Yan (Nicole) in receiving the first Award for Clinical Excellence in Neurogenic Speech and Language Pathologies.

With the assistance from Dr. Lorinda Kwan-Chen, the award was set up by the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities programme through a generous donation of Mr. Villamil who gladly celebrated the superior clinical performance demonstrated by the students in speech and language pathology.

Let’s give Mia and Nicole big applause!!!

Speech-Language Pathology - Summer School (SLP-SS) 2019

Eight of our MScESLPLD programme students were awarded the Best Poster Presentation Award at the Speech-Language Pathology – Summer School (SLP-SS) 2019 which was held at The National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan in Aug 2019. The win is the 4^thin 6 years for MScESLPLD students.

Congratulations to all winners!

Highlights: https://www.eduhk.hk/fehd/en/highlights.php?s=news_event&id=4709