Job Discussion Forums

Dude Love Japan · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

-Hi everyone and esp. Joshua, sorry if I offended and I mean that. Meanwhile, I think I confused your experiences in Korea and HK. I thought it was very odd that you spent most of your time on crowd control and expected to have accomplished nothing after a year with a class but were very pleased about everything after 7 years and that you were teaching K students in HK. Sorry again, my brain was off when I wrote my previous message.
-Meanwhile, today I should finally find out what band this school is and CMI vs. EMI, although I'll probably go with VTC since they've made me a firm offer already (which the high school in Tin Shui Wai might not be able to make for weeks) and require a firm reply in about a week. And it seems like a great place for noobs.
-Ok, finances. The school in the NT is offering at least 34,000 gross. VTC offers 20,000 and change plus a free apt. in Chai Wan, in Eastern, facing Victoria Harbour and with two big parks behind it and an outdoor pool and indoor gym. I might have a flatmate but isn't it a good deal? Some people seem to think Tin Shui Wai's a crappy area. Well, I have a wife and two daughters and therefore want someplace moderately nice and totally safe. But from what I could tell online about Tin Shui Wai there are some massive parks there and it's near the sea.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

Not such a good deal if you have to put up with a flatmate, esp given that you have a wife and two kids (I missed that b4). If I were you I'd try and see if you can get a flat just for you and the family.

Chai Wan isn't a picture postcard but it's well positioned trips to some of HK's best coastal areas (eg. Shek O, Sai Kung) and is also easy to get into Central.

Moneywise there's not much in it between the two after taking into account the rent you'd have to pay with the TSW job.

I'd still go with the VTC but try and get that flat sorted ...

Dude Love Japan · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

Thanks Prisilla and everyone else. I just found out it's CMI, lower band 2. Work hours are 8-4, 3 or 4 teaching hrs. per day and they may need me to stay later sometimes but I said I wouldn't more than twice a week since I have a family. As for the flat with VTC, I've heard everyone gets exactly the same and I've heard there are private flats for married teachers, so there's no tellling.

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

Dude Love Japan · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

The lower band 2 CMI high school in TSW wants to pay me a base salary of about 20,000 plus a housing allowance of 14,000 or a bit more. They informed me they def wanted to hire me but they'd better send me a formal contracts and everything else seriously soon if I'm even to consider it. I'm leaning more toward VTC and I only just found out thanks to someone here that I could pursue my PGCE working there, always thought I had to work in a public school to do that.

HK_GURU · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 26

Veek · Joined: 15 Feb 2011 Posts: 20

If I'm correct, I think your base salary should be calculated as follows:

Starting point @ Pt 15 ($ 22240)

You have 10 years of experience, but the salary cap for NETs without a PGDE is at point 20 ($28380)

The special allowance at the moment is $16859.

So your minimum salary should be $39099 (22240+16958) (if you're recruited under the NET scheme to a maximum of $ 45239.

Does the VTC provide you with the passage, baggage and medical allowances the NET scheme provides?

seems like the NET job is paying more ...

another point is have you taken into consideration school for your 2 young daughters?

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342

Nothing turned up so far for that school...

...schooling is something that you need to think about as currently there are NO places for small fry in ESF or any of the international schools. The waiting lists for both are insane at present.

Veek · Joined: 15 Feb 2011 Posts: 20

Also most local schools are not so willing to take Non-Chinese speaking kids as well

HK_GURU · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 26

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

I agree with Veek that the NET salary offered seems a bit low - are they offering a salary outside the usual NET banding?

As I and others have pointed out, the VTC post could be a bit of a nightmare (given that you have a family) if the accomodation doesn't work out. You might end up having to find your own place, and on a relatively low salary of around 20K things might get tricky.

Maybe the NET offer deserves closer scrutiny - unless you can come over and check out the VTC accomodation and make sure it's OK.

HK_GURU · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 26

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342