Job Discussion Forums

lou_la · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Bristol

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about applying for an EAP job at the English centre at HKPU, but the job information is a little sparse, so I'm fishing around for a bit more info!

Basically, they don't specify the salary, just say it's 'highly competitive' and ask me to say how much I would expect to earn. I hate jobs that do that! I know how much I would like, but whether that's realistic or not I have no idea, and I don't want to but a sum far higher (or lower!) than they actually pay.

So, does anyone have any idea how much I could reasonably expect for a EAP uni job? It's not lecturing, but teaching extra English classes alongside degree courses. I can't find any similar jobs with salary info, and the search won't work for me Sad

I did a similar job at a foreign uni elsewhere in Asia and made just over US$4000 a month before tax. HK is much more expensive, so I'd like to earn more than that. Reasonable, or no? (If it makes a difference, I have 5 years EFL experience, inc 1 year uni EAP programme, I'm an IELTS examiner, finishing up an MSc in Language Sciences, have a Delta, Celta and unrelated BSc)

Thanks!
Lou

RiverMystic · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 1986

Sorry, can't tell you about the pay. This sounds like an "instructor" position, which is the lowest ranking position possible (could be wrong, though). I suspect you'd be earning something like about 20000-25000 a month, which is up to around US$4000. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

But the term "highly competitive salary" usually means "crap pay". At least that is the inside joke that most recruiters are well aware of. But PolyU is quite a decent campus. I don't work there, but hang out there quite a bit with academics in related fields to mine. They generally take the 'second-tier" students, after HKU, Chinese U gobble up the better performing high school students.

lou_la · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Bristol

Thanks RiverMystic - yeah, the 'competitive pay' thing just seems to be a way not to scare people off before they apply! Normally I just skip over them, but this one seems at least worth applying for. Good job I'm not out for the big bucks!

Would $20,000 a month be a reasonable amount per month for a single late-twenties girl? I know that's a very variable question - basically, would I be scraping along every month, or be able to live without worrying too much about money, assuming I'm not stupid? Maybe even save a little? I don't want a big flat in Wan Chai or anything, but I would want to live alone (a poky studio would be fine!). And be able to buy cheese!

Thanks again!
Lou

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342

20k won't get you very far after rent....despite what is often proclaimed here. The more the better and if a uni type place is only paying 20k, then I would question the reason as to why they are paying so badly....

lou_la · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Bristol

Hmm. Well, I'll apply and see what they say.

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

I know plenty of people working at Poly U - and I used to work there p/t myself a few years back. So far as I'm aware, most enjoy it and get by OK on whatever salary they earn. Some also do IELTS or privates to earn more (as do many others in HK!) There are certainly worse salaries out there - and far worse places to work!