Job Discussion Forums

crashcity · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Taiwan

Hi all. Just wondering if someone could clarify an aspect of the Secondary NET program requirements for me. I have a BA. (English Major, Education Minor), TESOL certificate and three years experience teaching in Taiwan. I don't have a teaching certificate. On the Ministry site it says teaching cert. or PGDE plus BA, TESOL, and experience is acceptable but:
what if a PGDE does not qualify you to teach in your home country? I can complete a PGDE from a Uni in Canada no problem but this does not enable you to teach there. If it won't help me in HK, I'd rather just start a Master's program.
Anyone have any info, insight, or tips that might help? I'd really like to apply/go to HK sometime in the next two years.
Thanks for any help!

Netminder · Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 54

The very same issue arose in my interview- I have a BEd specialized in TESL, though I cannot get teacher certification due to my having not applied for it when I graduated (I headed overseas within seconds of graduating), and the programme has since changed- meaning I cannot apply for certification that was formerly my due.

This is my long-winded way of saying that you do not have a problem; I was assured by the interviewer that the "certification" simply indicated a TESL-teaching qualification, which I have (as do you). I passed my second interview and, as you may know from my other post, I am awaiting my call from a secondary principal.

So rest assured, you are in the clear- if you weren't, I'd not have gotten the go-ahead that I have. Don't let others wind you up over the lengthy process, it simply comes with the territory.

crashcity · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Taiwan

Thanks for the reply Netminder and good luck/congrats on your success going through "the process"...hope you get a great school. I'm a little confused about your responces though. Because you have a BEd you would be considered qualified to teach in Canada whereas my BA means I would not...even if I do a Canadian PGDE I would not be considered qualified to teach. I also don't know how my TESOL certificate would be considered as its not from Uni.
Still think I have a chance? Or, should I do the PGDE? Or, is it impossible?
Thanks again for any replies.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

If you plan to stay in HK for the long run, I think it would be better to get your B'Ed over your masters.

If the requirements are the same, then with a masters your salary will be capped at a certain limit (and it is not that high). The nice thing about the NET program are the annual raises as you go up the pay scale, with only a masters, they cut the top part of the ladder off.

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

Another important thing is your experience. If you want to be a secondary NET, then your experience has to be secondary experience, not primary and not adults. This sometimes wipes out years of experience and has been a sticking point with some NETs.

And to go back to the B'Ed, you need to be certified to teach secondary school to be a secondary NET. If your certification is in Primary Ed...then you can't be a secondary NET. This wasn't true when the program first started, but things have changed.

crashcity · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Taiwan

crashcity · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Taiwan

This is from the EMB site for Secondary PNET Recruitment:

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I just looked at the SFU website. If you want to teach in a public school in Canada, you go into PDP (professional development program) http://www.educ.sfu.ca/pdp/ This is very competitive to get into especially for arts majors like English (you) and History (me). Laughing

This is what HK would see as equivalency to a PGDE. Sorry couldn't find anything on a PGDE anywhere on the SFU website.

crashcity · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Taiwan

Hey Gordon. Ah PDP...yes I'm very familiar with the program. You actually can't get a BEd in BC without completing the PDP (as its called at SFU) or alternately named final practicum year. Looking at the site I realized my error in that the SFU page says Post Bacclalaureate Diploma Programs. UBC's is a Diploma in Education (specialization). I don't know the UVIC, UNBC, or UCFV names. They all (other institutes in Canada) require a BA for entry into the program though.

I guess my query is really based on whether:

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

AndyinHK · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 98

I've enroled in the PGDE programme at HKU and I have friends that are Canadians that are on the course. I can tell you that the diploma in not acceptable as a teaching qualification in Canada. Every country has its own rules...

crashcity · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Taiwan

Netminder · Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 54

Just to clarify my response- I have a BEd but not teaching certification- simply because you possess a BEd does not automatically entitle you to teach in public schools in Canada.

Candy Chan of the EMB indicated that my ESL-teaching education (my degree is specialized in TESL) was what qualified me- there was no need for a provincial teaching certificate (trust me, I was sweating this as well until she clarified it).

I have not taught in high school or possess any form of teaching certificate; If you have a BA and a post-graduate ESL-certificate (pretty much any of them), you are considered as eligible as I am- the BA with a TESL-teaching certificate was what every other applicant at the interview had. This is from my direct experience and communication with the hiring agency, not prevaricated arm-chair intellectual musing.