Job Discussion Forums

[travelbuguk]

Hello all,

I’m thinking of returning to Hong Kong, I was there for 3 years and worked in a language centre before getting a job at an international school as an EFL Teacher. At the time, my qualifications were a CELTA and a few years EFL teaching in the UK and Japan. I was accepted into the NET scheme pool but this didn’t result in finding a NET job.


I returned to the UK (where I am from) and completed a PGCE Primary qualification. I enjoyed my EFL teaching so much I decided I wanted to take the ‘next career step’ to become a qualified primary school teacher. Now I work at a UK primary school teaching 5-6 year olds all subjects. As much as I love this job the workload is crazy and I’m working at least 10 hours weekdays in school followed by 1-2 hours at home. On weekends I work around 5-6 hours at home on a Sunday.


I am thinking of completing this year academic year in my current job and then looking for work back in HK. Does anyone know what the workload and salary are like in international schools in HK as a primary teacher? Also what would my chances be with only 1 year of experience as a primary school teacher?


Thank you

[kpjf]

I think your best bet is posting this somewhere like http://internationalschoolsreview.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=259cb19a31670a9cdd6a91bac10ea548

This HK page isn't so active and on Dave's it's generally not the best place for international school advice. The people on that above forum are usually pretty fast to reply.

However, from what I have read international school jobs seem to be pretty competitive in HK (someone please correct me if I'm wrong on that).

I am doing my PGCE in secondary at the moment. I was also thinking of just doing 1 year post-pgce in the UK and then going to Asia, due to all the comments about the stress, long working days, average salary etc. But, for the really really good international schools I think you'd need more than 1 year post-pgce.

[travelbuguk]

Thank you kpjf I'll check out the link x

[travelbuguk]

I've made it one year post-PGCE and have decided to stay one more year before I start looking for work in Hong Kong. Does anyone have advice on job market there at the moment and what type of salary I could expect?

[Jmbf]

The EDB NET scheme is as competitive as ever. As before the best bet is to secure a local school job and then transfer after a year or so into the scheme. The salary scale is here: http://www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-sch-staff/net-scheme/remuneration-package.html

Basically the current salary range (including allowance but excluding retention bonuses and flights etc etc) is approx 47 - 73K / month.

Assuming they accept your UK experience (which they should as long as you have all the documentation) you could probably start at 50-55K / month.

[travelbuguk]

[Jmbf]

[Spelunker]

[travelbuguk]

[Spelunker]

I was at a language centre type gig, but I have now given up on both China and HK as places to teach, due to the visa problems. They are both pretty much becoming the same anyway. Good luck.

[Jmbf]

[Spelunker]