Job Discussion Forums

[Viva_La_Gloria]

Hi, I'm thinking about shooting to apply for the SNET scheme some time down the road after I've taught for 2-4 years on the EPIK program--teaching Eng. at a public school in South Korea.

I'm a 29-year-old single Japanese-American woman from Hawaii. I have a BA in Eng., 14 months teaching experience at a language school in Japan, a CELTA, and a Professional Certificate in Secondary Education in Eng. I'm licensed to teach English, 7th-12th grade, in my state. For the past school year I've been working part-time (17 hrs./wk.) as an ELL (TESL) teacher at a local elementary school.

If I do end up going down the Hong Kong road in the future, the Middle East is also a possibility, I'm hoping to apply as a Category 1 SNET candidate:

Category 1 (to be appointed at Graduate Master/Mistress (GM) rank, MPS pt. 15-33)

(i) a bachelor’s degree in English Language or English Literature or English Studies or Linguistics# or a Modern Language# OR a Bachelor in Education degree (major in English or a Modern Language#, but not primary education specialist) obtained after 3 years’ full-time study from a Hong Kong university or equivalent;
(ii) a Post-graduate Diploma in Education majoring in English or equivalent;
(iii) a Teaching of English as a Foreign Language or a Second Language (TEFL/TESL) qualification at least at the diploma level, or equivalent; and
(iv) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at secondary level or above.

I can see from the research I've done thus far that the competition for these golden positions is fierce, to no surprise given the lucrative packages, so I figure I should prepare myself before applying in order to have a chance.

Teaching in South Korea will take care of the 4th requirement since I taught in Japan pre-licensure, so that just leaves the 3rd one.

I was wondering what route you guys took to meet that requirement, if you have any course recommendations, and how much of an edge it'll provide in getting an SNET position.

Details: http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/sch-admin/admin/about-sch-staff/net-scheme/tefl-tesl%20qualification%20for%20snets.pdf

I was disappointed when I realized that my CELTA wouldn't cut it. Would a Master's in TESOL be sufficient? EDB doesn't list it though I'd assume a Master's would be enough to meet that requirement. Seeing the following has made me uncertain:

Category 7 (to be appointed at GM rank, MPS pt. 15-33, with salary bar at MPS pt. 20)

(i) a bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Hong Kong university or equivalent;
(ii) a master’s degree in TEFL/TESL, or equivalent; and
(iii) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at secondary level or above.


They've listed a Master's in TEFL/TESL in their lowest category. I've also gotten the feeling from researching the NET scheme and teaching English in Hong Kong that Master's degrees aren't recognized the way they are in the Middle East or other areas of the world.

Thank you very much for reading all of this and for any insight/advice you can give. I'm grateful to the posters at this forum whom I've seen provide countless informed and thoughtful posts that have helped so many of us who are in this boat hoping to teach at a public school in Hong Kong. It's extremely helpful information.

[Didah]

Aloha,

I taught as an SNET during the 2008 - 2009 school year. I you are a licensed teacher from the State of Hawaii, that meets the PDGE requirement. As I was told, that is equivalent to a post graduate teacher education program in the States. Like you I taught in Japan prior to returning home to complete my teaching credential in California.

Don't let the process scare you away. With your degree in English and teaching credential, you more than meet the threshold requirements. In fact, when I went through the program I met SNETs who had some requirements waived -- like a teaching credential because they were short.

After you apply, your information is made available to schools and they contact you directly. Even with the SNET package, Hong Kong is expensive. I really enjoyed my time there but I decided to move on to other things.
Gambatte!

[Viva_La_Gloria]

Aloha Didah ,
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! They're comforting. It's interesting to know your experience as an SNET and I'm glad that you enjoyed teaching in Hong Kong.

You're right about not letting the process scare me away. I think I just worry about far too many things a lot of the time!

I'm just curious, what are you up to now?

[Didah]

Greetings,

Teaching is a second career for me and I came to Hong Kong with only my preliminary credential (see, there is hope, I was selected with only my preliminary teaching credential and two years in the classroom including my intern student teaching). I returned to California to earn my clear credential. I taught English Language Arts and ESL in the Bay Area while I got enough experience to be hired in an international school. I am currently at an international school with an American curriculum in Eastern Europe and I love it. Granted, the pay isn't as good as the Middle East or Hong Kong, however, my housing is paid for, I make a comfortable salary and I have my sanity. For me, it became a balance of quality of life and where I wanted to live and teach as opposed to just the money.

In fact, if i was you with a clear teaching credential, I would look into the international schools. I got my job through www.iss.edu. This is a firm that specializes in placing K-12 teachers in international schools. From my experience, working in an international school is better than the gig in Hong Kong. The benefits are good and you are working with mostly expats from western countries. I hope this helps. By the way, feel free to PM me if you want more information.

Good Luck.

[Viva_La_Gloria]

I'm glad you're happy teaching at an international school in Eastern Europe. Quality of life and happiness are definitely more important than just making money. As the school year has begun here, I've been reminded of that with how hectic it's become so quickly.

Currently I'm in the process of getting a public school ESL position with EPIK in South Korea. I think it'd be a great adventure, but somewhere down the road I might return to teaching Language Arts as I did during my internship. I'd like to see if I have a preference between the two subjects.

Thank you for sharing your experience and for your advice!