Job Discussion Forums

[sjp]

hi,

My name is Sonja and I'm considering a move to Hong Kong or China to teach English. I'm hoping you might be able to offer advice on my following questions:

- HK seems to offer more money. Does the cost of living there allow you to save?
- I'm 38, Australian, have a BA but have no teaching quals or exp. Would it be possible to find a teaching job in HK? and what pay could I expect?
- would you recommend the experience?
- does anyone know if there are long quarantine periods for bringing in a dog?

Very grateful of any advice.

Thankyou,
Sonja
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[mcNug]

Hi,

Although I'm not sure if it's set in stone, I believe that usually the immigration department likes to see 2 years of relevant experience to issue a work visa. That is not always the case as you will often hear many different types of stories regarding work Visas. What is your major in your BA? There are working holiday visas (I think the age cap might even be 38 so if you hurry you should be able to get it. I think only Australian citizens can get working holiday visas for HK) You should be able to find kindergarten work no problem if were you to have one. If you studied a distance TEFL, then I imagine it would be much easier to get a working visa after your working holiday visa expires.

Based on the fact that you haven't got any teaching quals or experience, it's likely the salary won't be too high as HK teaching salaries go. About $13,000 - $15,000 HK a month.

That is more than enough to live on, although some of the more lavish posters will disagree with me.

Check out this post, it might have some things inside that might be relevant to you if you do decide to come

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=8014

[once again]

The fact that you are thinking about bringing in a dog to HK means that you are thinking about staying for the long term. Unfortunately with no qualifications or experience you are not really a "catch" for any employer here, and so unlikely, even if it is possible with such qualifications, to find a sponsor. There really are a lot of people here who are suitably qualified and with visas already. Soon, the kindergartens will only be able to hire qualified teachers.

I have had no experience with the non visa employment situation in HK, but the only place you will work without a visa is for companies that are really not that reliable. And the pay is normally very low at these places.
For HK at least, I suggest you do a respected TEFL cert first, and even then without the experience you will find it tough. It is highly unlikely that anyone is going to offer you a full time job without the experience.

If anyone has real evidence that the situation in HK is different to this, It would be great to hear about it,

[ChrisRose]

You have a B.A.

I wold strognly reccommend that you add a CELTA or TESOL to that.

Then after some experience either in HK or elsewhere, you may be able to apply for the goverment NET scheme.

Also a certificate in teaching ESL would be extremely useful from the practise point of view.

[sjp]

Many thanks for the advice.

much appreciated.

Cheers,
Sonja

[once again]

Sorry not to be able to be a bit more positive, but HK has become a very difficult proposition for people without experience to earn a decent and regular salary.

[voodikon]

so what would you say are solid (a subjective term, i realize) qualifications for a comfortable salary in hong kong? specifically, i have a b.a. in english (with an education emphasis) and three years' teaching/tutoring experience in the u.s. and will have another year of experience in china by the time i'm ready to apply to work in hong kong. would it be highly advisable to invest the time and money to add a celta or tesol to that?

[danielb]

Good question Voodikon.

[saroq]

[voodikon]would it be highly advisable to invest the time and money to add a celta or tesol to that?

Yes!