Job Discussion Forums

a13ng · Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 3

Hello everybody, my name is Alec. I'm Chinese Canadian. I was raised in Canada since I was a kid. I got a B.Sc. degree from a Canadian university and two years of English teaching experience in Korea and Taiwan. I taught from kindergarten to secondary school level and professional adults as well. However I don't have a TESOL certificate or a B.Ed degree (it seems to me that those are the requirements for most of the jobs in HK, at least for NET jobs). I'm fluent in Cantonese (ironically, some people may consider this as a weakness working as an English teacher in HK!!!) I'm currently looking for a decent teaching job in Hong Kong. The obvious question is that what are my chances of getting one. I have a legal working status in HK, with a HK ID (no need for sponsorship). I don't mind working in one of those private tutoring schools, split shifts, Sat. or even Sun. Also, another thing I'm wondering about is that if there are schools out there who are looking for native Cantonese teachers (who are fluent in English) to teach foreigners Cantonese. Any info on schools that may need teachers would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

Alec

Placebo · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 80 Location: Bangkok

I don't see how you are any different from the 'ordinary' HK citizen.

You might as well apply for a position as an auto mechanic. You'd probably have the same chance of getting hired...

mpan · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Taoyuan, Taiwan

well I am a canadian and I am teaching esl in taiwan at the moment. I have a bachelor of music but no TESOL course and no B.Ed. Anyone care to comment on my chances of getting a job in Hong Kong.

Joachim · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 311 Location: Brighton, UK

Slim.

In HK qualifications are everything, and there is a huge pool of HK residents who are also qualified native speakers. People (read parents) will see your ethnicity as a detriment, as well as your ability to speak Cantonese. Appearances are therefore, also, everything!!

Anything you did manage to find would be pretty lowly paid with little or no job security. And probably on the kowloon side.

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

eltbert · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

I'd recommend completing a CELTA either in Hong Kong or wherever is convenient for you. Private language schools in HK do generally have slightly higher requirements than those in Korea and Taiwan. Wall Street Institute, for example, prefers those who have taught for at least one year (which you have) with a certificate. You might actually like to give them a try as they're currently hiring full-time teachers. I think your chances are not bad.

I wouldn't worry too much about the Cantonese factor. I reckon Hong Kong is quite unique in that most educated parents don't necessarily prefer non-Cantonese speaking native English teachers. If you happen to be a balanced bilingual, chances are that you may be in for the most financially rewarding jobs. In fact, I've heard that the highest paid private teacher ($1,000 +/hr) in the territory is actually a local who speaks both Cantonese and English equally fluently.

Stumptown · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 28

What about having a BA in Applied Linguistics and a TESL certificate. The TESL is the same curriculum as the MA TESOL, except the undergrad classes don't require as much writing. I also have my transcripts to prove the classes I've taken. Thanks for any responses.

Welshguy · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 143

Hi there,

The YMCA organisation may be of some help because they used to run classes teaching cantonese it may be worth contacting them to see if they would hire you as a teacher. Another angle you may consider would be translation work.

Good luck

W.