Job Discussion Forums

[Badalight]

Hello everyone, I'm new here. I have a dream of teaching English overseas and Hong Kong is the place that I'm shooting for - though I know competition in the NET program is stiff with very few job vacancies. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what my chances are at getting into the program and any other teaching opportunities I could possibly get in Hong Kong.

First off, I've looked at the various categories and was a bit confused on something.

(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;

Specifically, in the first category why is the Bachelor's of Education degree separated by a giant bold OR when all of the other degrees are separated by a normal "or"? Second of all, in category 2 it mentioned "or equivalent". What is an equivalent? I do have a bachelor's in secondary English education, so does that allow me to pass both categories 1 and 2?

Beyond that, I will soon be getting my CELTA in the 1 month intensive course in Denver Colorado.

As for the 1 year of teaching experience, I wondered what exactly counts as "experience". Since I must go through student teaching in my degree, I'll have half a school year's worth right there. In addition to that I also have quite a lot of substituting hours and of course the hours that come with getting the CELTA. Beyond that I did some volunteer teaching in HK for a month for primarily 1 but multiple schools.

I also have a few HK contacts which includes a principal at one of the schools I taught at and the pastor who works there (since it's a Lutheran school). Depending on the time of the interview, I could be in HK to take it in person.

So can anyone clear up some of my confusion, tell me my chances, and any other teaching opportunities I might find in HK? Even if I don't make a lot of money, I'd like to be able to live and survive there without sharing an apartment with 4 other guys.

[CEB]

Short answer, not good.

The SNET scheme might be a bit easier than the PNET scheme because you need more qualifications so fewer applicants.

The EDB is interviewing now for the pool but there are interviews held in Canada, US, UK and a few other places but I can't remember where, plus the hundreds of HK interviews. Add to that the thousands of people already in the pool and you get a pretty high number. Then consider that there were about 40 vacancies last year for the PNET scheme (don't know about SNET vacancies).

For the PNET scheme, experience plays a big role, I don't know if they'll consider your teaching practicum as practical experience.

This question gets asked every year and as I've seen from being on the scheme, it gets harder and harder each year to land a job. The number of vacancies have decreased steadily each year, potential candidates have increased steadily and the EDB has not decreased any funding to their recruitment program. The ratio of jobs vs. job seekers is really ridiculous. If I were you I wouldn't hold my breath as it might take years for you to even get an interview with a school through the EDB and even if you do get an interview, there will be a dozen other teachers interviewing as well, many of whom have years of experience, MEDs and the works.

Good luck!

[Badalight]

[Badalight]

Sorry for the bump and double post, but does anyone have an answer? Which category do my qualifications put me in? The bold OR confuses me.

[CEB]

I would email OR call the EDB and ask them to clarify.

[TeacherTim]