The Centre for Applied English Studies’ Communication Support Services (CSS) supports the communication skills development of all UGC-funded students through 1:1 consultations, workshops, and in-course support delivered by trained consultants through its Writing Centre, Speaking Studio, and Visual and Digital Resources (VaDR) programs. We are now recruiting high-calibre postgraduate and Year 2, 3, 4 and 5 undergraduate peer consultants for semester 1 of the 2025-26 academic year. Students from all disciplines are welcome. Successful candidates will have excellent communication skills relevant to work in the Writing Centre, Speaking Studio, or Digital and Visual Resources program, and they will be enthusiastic about helping others communicate effectively in English. Those hired will receive training in tutoring and communication skills, and be supported by professional language instructors in their work. 

 

How much is the pay? 

Competitive compensation commensurate with qualifications will be offered. 

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When is the training? 

Training will be held in late August 2025; training time is counted as part of consultants’ contracted working hours. 

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When would I begin working, and what are the working hours? 

New consultants will start giving consultations (Writing Centre & Speaking Studio) and in-course support (VaDR) in September 2025. Consultants will work about 8 hours a week. A typical weekly work schedule includes four to six pre-booked 30-minute consultations for writing and speaking consultants, or about two hours of workshops per week for VaDR consultants. Consultants will also spend time on preparation for consultations and workshops, short administrative tasks, consultant development activities, and promotion work each week. Applicants should be able to commit to serve for at least one semester.

 

Are the working hours flexible? 

CSS arranges consultation time slots and workshops to fit consultants’ schedules. Pre-consultation/workshop preparation work, consultant-development activities, and promotion work are scheduled flexibly. 

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How do I apply? 

All applicants must submit the following items by 23:59 on 18 May 2025 to the email address of the unit to which you are applying: 

1. A completed application form (downloadable here) 

2. A curriculum vitae 

3. Evidence of your academic results at HKU. This could be an official HKU transcript, or the Unofficial Transcript of Academic Record viewable in the HKU portal, saved as a PDF. Postgrad students should submit evidence from previous degrees taken at HKU or other universities. 

 

Those applying to work in the Writing Centre should also submit: 

An academic writing sample that demonstrates your writing skills (maximum 20 pages). 

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Writing Centre applicants should submit their application form, CV, evidence of academic results, and academic writing sample to writingcentre@hku.hk.  

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After we receive your application documents, we will give you a link to complete an online written test. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in-person or over Zoom in late May 2025. 

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Those applying to work in the Speaking Studio should also submit: 

A 3-minute pre-recorded speech on the following: 

• Prompt: What does it take to become a great speaker? You may want to reflect on your own experiences and observations and use concrete examples to illustrate your points. Be creative!   

• Record your response in a video not longer than 3 minutes, and upload your video to this link.  

• You should focus on showcasing your qualities as an excellent communicator. Technical complexity is NOT our central consideration.  

• You may find some useful information in this playlist produced by the current Peer Consultants.  

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Speaking Studio applicants should submit their application form, CV, and evidence of academic results to caesspks@hku.hk, and then upload their pre-recorded speech to the link given above. Please do not send your recorded speech by email. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in-person or over Zoom in late May 2025 . 

 

Those who want to apply to work in the Visual and Digital Resources (VaDR) Program should follow instructions at the site below: 

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https://cics.hku.hk/for-students/peer-consultant-recruitment/ 

 

Students who are interested in working in more than one of the above units are encouraged to put in separate applications to those units.