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English Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers

LPAT Preparation Courses - 2025 LPAT

Our private and private group (1-1 and 1-2) courses are targeted at helping Hong Kong teachers with the two parts of the test that they generally find most difficult: speaking and writing.

I really like the positive and encouraging learning atmosphere that Jay creates. I failed the LPAT speaking paper 3 times. I could not figure out the reasons why I failed so many times, but Jay could always pick up the details that I missed and help me to improve. Finally, I got a pass after taking 1 on 1 classes with him for less than a year! I am really blessed to have Jay to help me with my LPAT speaking paper. Thank you! Apple Lee (2023)
I passed FINALLY!!! Got 3-3.5 in everything. Thank you very much for your patience and thanks again in helping me pass the exam. Ms. Ng (2019)
I passed all the papers! Thank you so much for your guidance!!!! Thankssssss! Ms. Heidi S. (2019)

LPAT Page Menu. Click below for:

  1. Some recent comments by happy customers
  2. Results summary for the 2023 LPAT
  3. And some more happy customers!
  4. Looking ahead to the 2024 LPAT
  5. Course modules and fee schedule at Impact Language

A selection of recent comments:

Jay is a very passionate and patient teacher. He is willing to help with all his heart and he gives practical advice so that you can do better. Moreover, he gives positive encouragement, which means quite a lot to me because I didn't use English or have formal English practice for 10 years. I was totally not confident at all. But Jay is really a professional teacher who I can trust. Gwen Chan (2023)
Every lesson was fun and engaging! I love how Jay doesn’t simply tell you the grammar rules but he guides you to discover and understand them. The lessons are student-centered and instead of asking you “what”, he asks the “why”. Learning becomes very natural and easy. In the past, I always studied LPAT through memorization but Jay taught me otherwise. I observed myself making significant improvements lesson after lesson! If you’re still unsure about whether you need his lessons, try one with him and I guarantee you that you will understand what I mean! :) Janice Choi (2023) - Merit
The lessons far exceeded my hopes for how I could benefit from them. Jay took the time to understand my goals as a prospective LPAT candidate, and the depth of learning I experienced as a result helped me aim higher and perform better on all papers (I sat for all five!). Whether written or verbal, Jay's feedback and teaching is detailed and thoughtful. If I put in an ounce of effort, he put in 10 ounces' worth in the form of guidance and feedback! And that just made me want to work smarter and do better. :D I'm so glad I came to Impact. Thank you so much for all the time, thought and resources! Ms. N.P. (2023) - Merits (all papers)
The skills I was taught were essential for me to attain the results I needed, and the lesson notes were precise and inspiring. His lessons are suitable for anyone who's looking for a breakthrough in LPAT. Ms. F. Kwok, 2020 LPATE

Results Summary for the 2023 LPAT

The 2024 LPAT was recently completed. The results will come out in late May.

For referecne, the previous year's LPAT (2023) showed slight declines in the writing and speaking papers. Reading and listening showed no significant change.

The writing paper remained the lowest performer, followed by the speaking test. Though speaking showed unusual improvements in the previous few years, that trend may have reversed, and it's reasonable to expect further reversion towards the mean.

It was my 3rd time to take the writing paper and I finally attained it, thanks to Impact. My teacher helped me a lot on preparing for the exam in such a short period of time, from basics to useful techniques. I enjoyed the lessons and appreciated him for giving me confidence to take the exam. If you're interested to take the LPAT exam, I'd recommend Jay without hesitation! Mr. J. Fong (2023)
Chart showing Language Proficiency Assessment Test pass rates from 2004 to 2023.

Data source for 2023: hhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202305/24/P2023052400433p.htm

The reading and listening scores in 2023 were right at the long term average, so there was nothing unexpected there. The speaking paper had increased in the previous three years but dropped back again this year. Long-term, we can probably expect about a 60% passing rate in speaking. The writing paper pass rates stubbornly remain at or below 50%.

Averages for 19 years of LPAT (2004-2023)

The average passing rates, from low to high, for the past 17 years from 2004 through 2023, are:

  • reading paper: 82%
  • writing paper: 45%
  • listening paper: 77%
  • speaking paper: 54%

Performance in productive skills -- writing and speaking -- is weaker. No surprise there. However, roughly half of all test takers in Hong Kong have failed the writing and speaking portions over the years. The speaking score had been trending up previously, but writing remains highly problematic.

A side-note for native speakers

If you're a native speaker, you might think the test will be a no-brainer. That may or may not be the case, especially if your grammar terminology happens to be a bit shaky.

Even native speakers fail the test. It usually comes as a bit of a shock. Whether you learn from us or not, you really shouldn't plan on winging it.

The problem area for native speakers is, almost without fail, task 2B in the writing paper: explanation of errors. If your grammar explanations are along the lines of "well, that's just the way we say it", or if you start sweating at the thought of a student asking for a slightly more formal answer, then you might want a little help.

Fortunately, you do have an advantage. With a little bit of training, you can pick up enough of the kind of terminology that the HKEAA and EDB are looking for. And it might even help you when you're in front of those more demanding students. We've helped others like you before, and we can help you too.

LPAT English and Mandarin -- Total Exam Candidate Numbers:

There has been a moderate sustained decline since 2010 in the number of candidates sitting for the English LPAT. That number rose slightly in 2023, perhaps reflecting perceived opportunities by new teachers or requests by schools for non-English teachers to fill vacancies due to recent emigration trends or educators leaving the field. This is conjecture, though.

Chart showing number of candidates sitting for Language Proficiency Assessment Test from 2004 to 2023.

What the results summary really means for you:

The figures show that Hong Kong teachers are generally better at the receptive skills but unfortunately fall short when it comes to the productive skills.

If that describes you, and if you are planning on taking the LPATE, you need to make sure your speaking and writing skills can pass muster. A little guided practice could give you that extra boost you need.

The lessons were highly enjoyable and productive. I admire how my teacher always has a variety of questions to throw back at his students to test and reconsolidate their knowledge. It has been a fun and rewarding few months! Thanks so much for helping me boost my confidence and encouraging me throughout the process. Ms. Maggie W., 2020 LPATE

More comments and results from a few of our test takers

If you're an English teacher planning on taking the 2024 LPAT, you can be confident knowing that we've been helping test-takers with the LPAT since 2012. With more than a decade of experience we know what it takes!

Here's what one of our very happy course-takers (he had taken it multiple times before coming to us for help) said:

Yes!!! I PASSED the writing paper, finally!! The scores were very heartening too - all 3 for the composition and all 4 for the error correction. It was the best birthday present ever!! Of course I wouldn't have such an exciting result without your help and support. I am grateful to have had you to guide me to overcome the LPATE. Thank you sooooooooo much. Mr. M. Mak, 2015 LPATE

And here are more:

The lessons were really practical and straight to the point - specifically targeting our weaknesses and giving us concrete suggestions concerning pronunciation and intonation. Great lessons to help us improve! Ms. T. Sit, 2019 LPATE
Learning with Impact was my great pleasure. My tutor was an enthusiastic teacher who not only taught me the skills and contents of the assessment, but also encouraged me to face difficulties. Thanks, Jay! Ms. J. Wong, 2019 LPATE
The lessons were relaxing and the teacher was encouraging. The teacher could spot my weaknesses in writing and helped me overcome them. I could make improvements in a really short time. Thanks a lot! Ms. T. Wong, 2019 LPATE

Here's a sampling of a few of our other LPATE takers from not long after we started helping teachers prepare for the LPATE:

  • Ms. C.Y. Ng attained speaking test scores of 3.5 on most sub-scores and 4s "Reading aloud with meaning" and "Discussing educational matters with peers": "I'm happy with what I've got. The proficiency requirement was attained. I'm happy that I didn't get any 2.5 or 3 :) Thanks for your tutoring!!!!!"
  • Mr. W.T Law, an HKU student preparing for a career in education, said: "Thanks for your care and support. I got 3.5 in all areas (except a 3 in discussing educational matters). It is better than last year and better than I expected!"
  • Mr. KS Luk struggled with the speaking test but said: "This is the best result I have ever had. And the total score reveals a big jump over last year."

The results of the LPATE speaking were beyond my expectations: Pronunciation 3, reading with meaning 3.5, grammar 4, organization 4, interacting with peers 3.5, and discussing educational issues 4.

Without your teaching, I could not have had the results I wanted. I feel very lucky to have attended the lessons with you in Impact Language as you helped me come closer to my goal! Joseph C. 2014 LPATE

2024 LPAT Exam Dates

The LPATE tests are usually scheduled around the Chinese New Year holiday. The Reading, Listening, and Writing (RLW) tests are held prior to CNY and the Speaking test after CNY, most often in the last week of February.

Dates
CNY Holidays in 2024 February 10-13, 2024
Reading / Listening / Writing January 28 (Sunday)
Speaking Feb 26 to Mar 1 (Mon-Fri)
CLA Oct 30 '23 - Apr 3 '24

Registration Dates for the 2024 LPAT

Registration for the LPAT is in September of each year. Registration can ONLY be done via the Internet. The HKEAA no longer accepts hard copies of entry forms. The registration dates for the 2024 LPAT were released very late (just a few days before the start of registration). The registration dates for the past several years are included here for future reference:

  • 2022 LPAT: Sept. 1 (09:00) - 20, 2021 (21:59)
  • 2023 LPAT: Sept. 6 (09:00) - 19, 2022 (21:59)
  • 2024 LPAT: Sept. 8 (09:00) - 22, 2023 (21:59)
For more details and a link to the online registration form, simply click here to go to the registration page on the HKEAA website.

Impact Language - LPAT Course Modules

  • Module 1 - Speaking - Reading Aloud
  • Module 2 - Speaking - Recounting / Presenting
  • Module 3 - Writing - Essay Writing
  • Module 4 - Writing - Correcting and Explaining Error in Student Writing
  • Module 5 - Reading - Comprehension and Decoding Skills
The teacher was knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly, and he taught in an interesting manner. He used an interesting method to teach stress and intonation, and through his instruction, I have become more aware of stress and intonation in speaking and reading aloud in English. H.Y. Chan, Secondary School Teacher

Course Notes and Fee Schedule:

Choose what you wish to study. Most test candidates focus on either speaking or writing, but you may do both. You may also take lessons as often as you like, though there is a minimum of once a week.

Our LPAT courses are available during the daytime between 12 noon and 5:00 PM and on select evenings on a limited basis. We have a limited number of slots on Saturdays.

Course Class Length Lessons Fee* - Off Peak Fee* - Peak
4 $600 $650
LPAT 50 Minutes 8 $550 $600
12 $525 $575
*NOTES:
  • The above rates are on a PER LESSON basis. For each additional student add $50 / lesson.
  • Peak hours are after 5:00 PM and all day Saturday.
  • These rates for reference only and may change without notice.
  • Off-peak rates become unavailable to new students 50 days prior to first exam.
  • Single lessons are priced a flat rate of $700-$750 / lesson.

Please note that all options have a time limit. The course length, in consecutive weeks, cannot be more than the number of lessons you purchase, and the maximum course length is 8 weeks from the start date.

I wanted to learn "natural" English, and that's why I came to Impact Language. I saw a definite improvement in my English, and the teacher was very keen on helping students, so I would certainly recommend that others try here! Ms. C.L. Ng, Primary School Teacher

Each lesson lasts for 50 minutes with the last 5 minutes for wrapping up and exiting the classroom. Classes start on time, so students should try to arrive at least 5 minutes early.

Fees are paid in advance. Lessons that fall on a public holiday can be rescheduled to an alternate day or the following week.

Other Courses

We can also help you if you want to prepare for IELTS or perhaps an exciting new job interview. And if you just want to work on improving general conversation skills - a must for career development! - then join one of our fun small group discussion classes.