Job Discussion Forums

Mdog · Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 23

Can anyone speak of experience or know someone that has experience working for the British Council in HK? What's the general work environment like? How's vacation work? Housing? Hours? Is everyone required to teach young learners the first year?

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

I've not worked for them, but I was told by the BC recruiters in Singapore that I didn't have enough YL experience to be interviewed for Hong Kong. As I about 3 years experience from kindy to secondary, I figure that means there's a LOT of kids work.

The BC in general seem to be nice, fairly organised places, but with weird hours. I've only done IELTS examining and hung out with lots of their teachers though, someone else can help more than me I'm sure!

Mdog · Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 23

Thanks a lot for that Lou. From what I've read, it seems to be fairly large one. There must be a lot going on there.

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

It's ok. Lots of opportunity for development - they often run little courses when there are gaps in teaching. Most staff nice enough - plenty of them, so you would make friends easily. I left 4 years ago.

Have heard from some folk still there that money is going down on average. New starts may be 25 - 30k monthly. Need to sort your own accommodation. Used to be 28k+. Cutbacks I guess.

Also heard you have to work Sat and Sun. Used to just be one or the other. Thats all kids. Weekdays are light but may be split eg. 11am-1pm then 6-9pm - some kids, some adults.

Lots of management changes in last year. Some staff happy, some moaning.

I'd recommend it as first job in HK if you've got CELTA and 2/3 years exp. Its a step up from many others. Not as good as EDB/NET or international schools

Mdog · Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 23

Very good info indeed....however, the latest ad on here said the starting salary is 21k ~ 27k a month....kinda crappy. I'm aware of the weekend working....but not excited about that. Seems like the best bet in order to enter the HK market, like you say.

Probably a lot better than working at Deborah's kindergarten!

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

Despite the cutbacks I think the BC would still be much better than working for a language mill - the pay and conditions will still be considerably better, plus you'll get better holidays and better working conditions, plus as mentioned above there'll be plenty of streetwise colleagues to meet. Also important IMO, BC is in a great location - next to HK Park in Admiralty - and I guess that's still where most of the teaching takes place.

purple_piano · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:43 am Post subject:

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

from the ad off BC website
http://www.britishcouncil.org/toe_hk_aug_12_hkg-t-480.pdf