Job Discussion Forums

[bitterbuffalo25]

Hello -

Sorry for any redundancies in this question, but I am currently teaching EFL in Tokyo and am hoping to get a better job and relocate to Hong Kkng sometime next year. I have about 3.5 years of experience and Bachelor's degree (in Art, not education related.) Therefore, I realize I need some further certification for the best teaching jobs in Hong Kong (or potentially Shanghai).

The problem is that the two holy grails of teaching certification are not available to me. CELTA is only offered on the other side of the country and Trinity TESOL isn't open for part-time registration until January, which is when I'd like to start applying for jobs.

So, with that in mind, I'm looking for the best option available that allows me to do coursework and theory online, but includes a practicuum that I could do either here or elsewhere for a week/couple weekends. After a lot of research, I came across two: ONTESOL and InTESOL, respectively. Both offer 220-250 hour courses with supervised teacher training included, and both cost about the equivalent of $800 - $900 USD. Perfectly reasonable. But, are they legit?

My ideal goal is to apply for the HK NET scheme in January, but a job with comparable benefits and environment would be ok too, as I know NET is very competitive. Some of the international schools in Shanghai interest me as well.

So, with ALL of this in mind, has anyone here had experience with either certification program? And aside from the NET scheme, what should I look into, job-wise? Having experience, I want a working environment better than the bare minimum at the point, and HK seems to be the next place I want to me.

I want to know your experiences regarding certification and jobs...please share? If you'd like to comment or PM me with a certification program that is actually legit (so many are crap), that would be wonderful. Both INTESOL Worldwide and OnTESOL assure me that these qualifications are sufficient for the NET scheme, but, well, we're talking about sales people here. I want to learn but I need to keep my full time teaching job in Tokyo while I do it.

Any advice would be amazing. Sorry for the long post!

[nomad soul]

Take a look at "NET acceptance?" (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=110545), which suggests you'd need more than a TEFL cert for those positions.

[kpjf]

Like you say the NET programme is very competitive; and, to be realistic with a BA and teaching experience and nothing else I doubt you'd get on it. Sorry, just being realistic here. Even if you pass the interview you have the next step of finding a school. It's not like other programmes where you pass the interview then they place you somewhere - wouldn't that be more logical? Passing the interview just seems to be the first hurdle.

I hear it's just too damn competitive and you'd probably really need a BA and teaching license or MA in TESOL. But even with a BA and MA in TESOL, I don't know if that would be enough with so few places available for the many candidates that apply each year.

The HK NET programme is so competitive because the salary starts off at about 25,000 HKD plus 19,000 HKD for accommodation whereas other EFL jobs there would be maybe only 20-25,000 HKD. Bit of a difference living on 25,000HKD and living on 40,000+! I want to get into the HK NET programme myself but am currently trying to improve my CV before applying.

From my investigation 9/10 jobs there (outside of NET) are for kids, but if you're happy teaching kids, it's a possibility. You just need to take into consideration that (from looking online at least) for a good one person flat we're talking 15,000HKD, or even sharing 7,000HKD so accommodation is the killer here taking a good chunk of your salary. It seems from what you write you're looking a step up, but this sounds like a step down, however, if HK really interests you I'm sure you could work your way up.

[bitterbuffalo25]

Kpjf -

Thank you for the info. In regard to the international schools in Shanghai, I was looking into places like Concordia and SLS. They didn't mention that a teaching certificate was required for the position, so I'm really just in the beginning stages of research there.

I am open to obtaining a PGDE/PGCE once in HK, but according to EDB's site, a TESOL and experience are some of the lower requirements for the PNET program. I'm happy to give it a shot after I complete my certificate, however slim my chances are.

Alternately, I will apply directly to schools and hope for a nice employment package to help me out with the exorbitant housing costs in HK. What are you doing, if I may ask, to improve your CV? Just looking for the experience of others in HK here.

My main purpose of my post was to verify the legitimacy of programs like ONTESOL, which seem to be sufficient programs with reputable accreditation and an added 20-hour practicum, which seems to be necessary. Perhaps obtaining the 250-hour certification will boost my chances ever so slightly for a good position. Anyone have experience with ONTESOL?

[Jmbf]

I can't comment on the quality of the ONTESOL program, but I can confirm that no matter the quality of the TEFL program you take (even CELTA or Trinity), it won't put you in the running for the EDB NET scheme. Technically, those qualifications are enough, but in reality the competition is too intense.

Your realistic options are to work in a language centre or kindergarten (salary usually between 15 - 25K / month) while continuing your studies. As others have mentioned, your quality of life will probably take a hit on that salary as the cost of living in HK is high. Depending on your current salary / working conditions in Tokyo, it might make more sense for you to continue working there for a while.

I do know of teachers who make decent money outside of the EDB NET scheme, but they all have the right to work freely here which you wouldn't have (I'm assuming).

[kpjf]

Hi bitterbuffalo25,

Sorry I cannot help you with the main purpose of your post. Yes, I did hear the PNET had lower requirements, so maybe that’s an option for you?

[bitterbuffalo25]

kpjf -

Yeah, I must have missed the whole Christian thing...ha. Not so much my MO. I looked into international schools around China and that one had an attractive hiring package.

Honestly though, I really would prefer to live in Hong Kong. I'm going to get my TESOL certification, apply for PNET and some other jobs, and hopefully I'll find something. I'm open to studying for a PGCE part time, but yeah, that's a hefty price tag.

Perhaps there are other teaching jobs that also offer at least a partial housing allowance to offset the high residence costs. At any rate, living on HK Island and its exorbitant costs isn't a priority. Japan is great, but it's nearly impossible to move up here and it's time for a new place/new challenge.

I've heard the overall quality of life is pretty good in HK for teachers though - decent working hours and good schools, generally. And the level of English education seems to be a step up than what it is in Japan, from what I've read.

[Jmbf]

Seems like you have the right attitude to do well here. I firmly believe that HK is still a great place for teachers if they have the right mindset and are willing to work HARD and SMART. I started my teaching career here with no experience and a basic 60 hour online TEFL. Now I'm earning 100K / month, I'm my own boss, I have a very flexible schedule and I work from home.

So, anything is possible if you are willing to really give it a go.

[bitterbuffalo25]

[kpjf]

[Jmbf]

[quote="bitterbuffalo25"]

[nomad soul]

bitterbuffalo25:

If you decide to only do privates, just be aware that employers in HK and other countries may not count private tutoring as verifiable classroom teaching experience.

[Jmbf]