Job Discussion Forums

[PlasticPill]

Hi! First post here on these boards, and I was trying to get some information from other people living in Hong Kong. For all the trolls who ignored the subject line, YES, I DID read other posts. So save yourself the time and switch off. I wanted to ask myself, not respond to posts that are months/years old.

I realize this is NOT the profession to get rich in...but that doesn't mean people should just shrug off salary inquiries. I've noticed people saying Hong Kong is a cheap place to live...and others who contradict this. Naturally, I don't know who to believe. Is it insane to believe I could save atleast US $1,000 a month? ((I believe thats 7,756 HKD according to a quick google check...could be wrong...)) I actually am NOT the bar type....sure I drink occasionally, but at home....I just don't care for the bar scene. Maybe occasionaly, but certainly not a weekly thing.

For the single guys ((like myself out there)) whats the dating like? No...I do *not* want to date students. However, I would like to have a local gf, but not if she's only going to like me because of my passport. Do locals have issues with foreigners there? I guess I'm asking because I've read a lot of negativity from both Japan and Korea folders about the locals not liking foreigners being around them.

For those that enjoy your career teaching there, did you teach at other places before? I'm hoping to find some people that have started at Hong Kong and never left, showing satisfaction in my opinion. What is it you enjoy about your teaching job there? Do you only teach kids? I really don't want to teach children, I'm hoping to teach either teenagers or ((if I'm lucky)) other adults. I don't want to "babysit".

Right now I'm still in college, majoring in English. Once I graduate ((4 year degree, Bachelors.)) will a Bachelors in English be enough to find a job there? I've read that the NET scheme requires pre-experience WITH a degree in Education...not English.

Thanks for any info...and once again, if you're just beng a troll....prove you have better things to do and don't reply. If you want to share truthful experiences, whether positive or negative, then great...but just whining about reading the boards....please...go back to your corner.


On a side note, I've read other forums, like Japan/Taiwan/Koreaa/Singapore/Indonesia ((In that order)) and I'm still researching things such as the JET program. If anyone has taught in these places, I'd appriciate any info you could share with me in emails. To sum up what I've researched, it seems Japans Jet Program is favored by many, however Korea seems to be another hot area...though many complain of not being welcomed by locals ((from both countries)). Taiwan seemed real interesting...but only from people who don't have degrees. I *will* have a degree, so I'd like it to benefit me. No point in going somewhere if I could of got the job without the degree...Singapore seemed to be to rich of a country, AND English is commonly spoken ((similar to Philippines)). Indonesia...I'm still researching, but it doesn't seem like I'll be able to save much $$$...and yes, salary is an issue if I can't atleast save $1,000 usd a month.

Thanks again for the help! I hope to generate a good discussion for my first post!

[Eddie]

Hey Pill,
If you are looking to save money Korea is a safe bet. I taught in Seoul two-years ago and with my salary plus private lesson saved over a 1000$ each month, while maintaining a very comfortable lifestyle. As far as the locals not being welcoming, a very common complaint among teachers in Korea, I didn�t find that to be the case. Remember Seoul is a metropolis of over ten million, but if you extend yourself it is not hard to meet lovely Korean people. The other option is to live in a smaller city or rural area where it is easier to meet locals but the financial opportunities are more limited.
If you have an open mind Korea is a good location to spend a year and launch your teaching career.

Honestly without an Ed. degree, ESL certificate and teaching experience I think HK will be a hard nut to crack, especially if you are looking for a professional post and to save money. But if you would go to Korea, Taiwan, Japan etc. and get experience and complete ESL certificate course it may be a different story.

Best of luck!
Eddie

[PlasticPill]

Hi Eddie!
Thanks for the info, I'll have to do more research into Korea then. I've never really had that much of an interest in Korea, but I'm sure I'll enjoy the experience. I think the things people complain about there can really be found anywhere, so I'm not looking too hard into things such as the locals attitudes....I just didn't want to have to worry about leaving each weekend and wondering if I get into a fight or not.

I was considering doing just what you suggested actually, go to Japan as a Jet for a few years, build some experience, and hopefuly land a job at HK with the built up years of experience as a JET.....but still I think they require an Education degree....and I'm not studing for that bachelor degree....my goal is English. I would think that would still help me, but who knows.

Thanks again!

[shmeagain]

Hi PP,

Come out swinging eh?

At the moment it all depends on whether you're willing to come over to HK and try your luck in finding a job.

There are people who want a job guaranteed with i's dotted and t's crossed before they set foot in HK. The only jobs where this would be applicable applies mostly to the NET scheme as most companies I know won't hire you untill they have seen you.

Then there are people who take the plunge and come over with a load of interviews set up beforehand.

Once they see you, and you look and act like a teacher, they will usually hire you on the spot IF they have a job available. If they don't, it's up to you to go to the next company and see if they like you and whether they have something available.

If you keep doing this (whilst acting and looking like a teacher) you will find yourself employed - no problem.

Now for the problems:

1) Immigration - they usually require a) degree b) experience c) TEFL except if you work in KGs then you only need the degree which brings us to...

2) You prefer not to teach kids. So KG would definitely be out as the 3-5 year olds can smell out people who aren't interested in them, as you would be able to smell out the 3 - 5 year olds

For people fresh off the boat with no experience and no TEFL it's difficult if they want to move into markets that are quite specialized (adults) and in areas that most people want to teach (teenagers) - unless they have the skills to deal with 35 active youngsters(6 - 9y.o.) and then it becomes the "easiest" teaching job in HK - IMO.

Obviously if you don't have this skill set it becomes hell...

The fact that you will have a degree in English might tip the scales in your favour as Secondary schools like that or rather they require it (not too sure here).

If I had to look at your case objectively I would say that you would have to be here and do the legwork to get a job. That would mean setting up interviews, going to schools directly and companies who farm you out to schools. Or if you're into adults then you could try places like Wall Street Institute - depending on the days and hours you would be willing to work - please let us know.

I would also say that you might have to put in your time and teach age groups from 6 - 10 years old.

If you do this for one year you will be in a good position to find a better job the next year and so on.

In regards to the kids - brilliant. Even the "hard cases" I teach will come around eventually. Patience and a good sense of humour is what works best - and a warface in the style of "Full Metal Jacket". Oh, and you need to look like you want to be there.

Many more questions to come, I guess, so fire away soldier!

[PlasticPill]

Yes I certainly come out swinging!
Honestly...it's because after reading some of the trolls responses to, what I believe "simple" questions....very common even when THEY started I'm sure...rather then just IGNORE the post and continue reading.....the trolls actualls take the minute or two to respond....with nothing but cruel comments about reading previous posts that are somtimes 1-3 years old....
Sure I can understand not wanting to answer the same question over and over...but really....just don't answer! It's an internet forum...not really hard to ignore a post...I just believe some of the trolls are nothing short of some lonely expat who sits home on the internet all day.....

I never knew immigration required experience and tefl too....I always assumed just a degree, if anything. I know Japan requires atleast a degree according to the forums there.

As far as kids...no, not really wanting to. Unless the $$$ was really there....REALLY there.....ok, so perhaps not cut out for me. I've worked with children before, and although they were American...I've always felt it's more about babysitting then teaching...never dealt with teenagers, but when I think of being back in highschool, perhaps children WOULD be better...

I guess I should just go there and look....the idea of travelling THAT far in a foreign country...looking for work....just kind of scares me. Maybe it's silly and I shouldn't worry about it at all, I don't know...I still have about a year or two before I graduate ((thanks to Katrina turning my university into a swimming pool.)) So I have time to consider things still...but I really want to work in asia. Even if it's teaching.

Back to the boards, thanks for the advice! It's all very helpful in my decesion making.