Job Discussion Forums

[tabrascokid]

Does anyone know anythikng about teaching in Hong Kong? I've heard it can be quite a financal goldmine, although I also understand that it is perhaps the most expensive city in the world to live in.

Any information/advice would be most appreciated

[dharmachicken]

Yes, it can be vey financially rewarding if you are qualified. Every year the government seems to take on teachers. It is a two year contract (that's the crunch) and you get paid quite well plus a big housing allowance. Housing is VERY expensive so this is a good deal. There are also many private English schools. Try searching on one of the many HK based job search sights. You can begin as simply as Yahoo!HK
Good Luck!

[Roger]

Those who do get hired often report about good salaries, so much is true although not everyone qualifies to make more than 30'000 (minimum including the 13'000 HK$ housing subsidy).
If I am well-informed, you will put in some 35 contact periods a week, including on Saturdays!

While HK is a fascinating place where you will not have to miss out on any Western creature comfort or luxury, you might soon discover you are running on the spot. It is a very hectic life, perhaps more so than in most Western cities!
The crowdedness adds to your ill feelings. People can be unbelievably boorish - watch them board an underground train, it is like catch-as-catch-can.
Over the last two years, the NET programmes have come under increasingly fierce criticism. First, the Education Department or the schools that were greenlighted to hire expat teachers bungled the hiring of a sufficient number of teachers. They suffered a shortfall of maybe 150 teachers!
SOme people e-mailed me to complain about the haughtiness of HK authorities - interviews by telephone with many important questions left unanswered. The most recurrent criticism was that the school principals made offers at too short notice for expats to accept (considering that they had to quit their jobs at home).

Some two weeks ago, a min-debate erupted in HK about physical violence at HK schools - from students! Victims: Female expat teachers!

[once again]

Personally on the Net scheme I have 18 contact periods a week with the students(35 minutes per period). This seems to be fairly standard.