Job Discussion Forums

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

Sorry, if this is redundant (I saw the HK vs. Korea posting), but this is a bit more specific.

I've done 3 years in Japan under the JET Programme, came back to my home country last summer, and now I'm really keen on returning to Asia, either HK or Korea. I've already submitted applications to HK's NET teacher program, and I'm also interested in submitting to Korea's EPIK program, but EPIK has very stringent document requirements (eg., a real hassle and expensive to order a new, original degree from my university).

Ideally, I'd like to hear from teachers who have done both NET and EPIK so they can give me a comparaitive opinion on both. I recognize that there's agreat deal of subjectivity involved (ESID), but let me know what you think. Would you choose one over the other?

My interest isn't so much money as it is cultural experience and quality of life and travel opportunities.

Cheers.

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

You have that backwards.

I have been in both schemes. The paperwork is far greater as a NET. But, paperwork should not be a factor.

EPIK was a joke.

Take this: gratuity

EPIK: one month salary after 2 years ...around $2,000 CDN
NET: 25% gratuity (15% + 10% after 5 years service/5% after 3 years sevice)...$32,000 after 2 years

The schemes are not even close by my standards.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

anninhk · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 284

If you are accepted on the NET scheme you receive 15% of your salary at the end of two years. This is taxed and is only calculated on the salary and does not include the housing allowance.
If you sign a subsequent contract you will receive 5% of your salary a month as a retention bonus (again excluding housing allowance).
If you sign a third contract you will receive a retention bonus of 10% of your salary per month.
I don't know how much that is in Canadian dollars as it all depends on your salary.
You only get the gratuity if you complete two years and are recommended by your school (although this seems to be a matter of course) and the same goes for the retention bonus. It is only paid on the condition that you complete the contract and you will have to pay it back if you don't!

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

I make $34,900 HK per month + $12,950 in housing. That is $838,800 HK for 2 years excluding housing. So, my gratuity is $32,261 CDN after 2 years (at a 10% long service bonus and 1CDN=6.5HK) Yes, I must pay income tax (18%) and I must complete my contract....Who wouldn't?

My point is simply you are comparing steak to ham (NET) to (EPIK). As far as I'm concerned EPIK should be compared to JET not NET.

Laughing all the way to the bank....

Did I mention the salary was over 5 million won as compared to only 2 million in EPIK?

Did I mention that Hong Kong is far more exciting than Seoul or Busan?

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

My NET income is a bit misleading because I signed my original contract in 1999. In 2000, contracts started 5 points lower on the pay scale.

I have my B ED. I have since done a MA TESOL but qualifications do not increase your pay here. I have been teaching for 10 years.

The average Joe would still make considerable income here. But, after housing and tax can easily save $2,000 CDN per month.

If you have children in a school you must pay school fees so it may not be worth comming to HK.

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Thanks for the information.

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

EPIK and NET and JET are all so different. Naturally, different countries will likewise all want different paperwork.

First and foremost, you should choose WHICH country you want to work in rather than the scheme. I hope that money will not be the only factor for your decision, although admittedly, a NET gets paid much more than an EPIK teacher.

If you are an EPIK teacher, you might as well be doing any other teaching job in Korea cus the pay is the same for most jobs regardless of whether it's government sponsored or not.

Also, another difference is that with EPIK, you are usually assigned to just one school. With NET, you are typically spread across 2 schools, with a greater demand placed on your services.

Either way, both schemes are a HUGE LOTTERY. As you know from JET, you could be placed in ANY school out of a million.

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

Poof,

You are wrong.

A PNET (primary) works in two schools; a NET (secondary) in one.

Must agree with you about the "lottery" though (on original contract) but after that you can be matched better through interviews at individual schools.

anninhk · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 284

I am a PNET and I only work in one school.
They are trying to put one NET in each school hence the need for a lot more PNETs than they have now.

robsbay · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

Yep. The NET scheme is now going for one Net teacher per school.
I have just been offered a school that is sharing a NET but will have there own when I get there!!!
Gee it has taken a while.
Anyone in the process of applying make sure that all Statements of Service have all the necesssary details on them otherwise they will not be accepted.

robsbay · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

try their !!!

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

I'm glad to hear of the one school-one teacher policy shift. I have been toying with idea of NET (Sorry, Freddie Unbelieve, should specify 'PNET' right...!) for so long, but the factor of being split between schools and commuting early in the morning had been the main put off for me. But, now... yipeeeee!!!