Job Discussion Forums

chopstix · Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 55 Location: tokyo

I am wondering if working as an ESL teacher will only further delay chances of getting into an International School? I know there are lots of proffessional development opportunities in NET program and currculum development but realise you are sticktly a language teacher. Has anyone been able to make the transition to an International School after NET? Or am I wasting my teaching degree?

Hoosier · Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 9

It's possible, if you have the necessary teaching qualifications, such as B.Ed, BA + PGCE or PGDE. However, bear in mind that in international schools, you are a homeroom teacher who will be expected to teach Math and Science along with English.

Lao Wai · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 20

Chopstix,

I'm wondering the same thing as you. Last year, I worked at an international school on the mainland. Great school, but other conditions where severely lacking (housing and salary).

Currently, I'm a PNET. I don't have a homeroom, and I only teach English. At my school last year I had a homeroom andtaught everything (except for specialist subjects).

While I perform a number of duties that could be transferable to working at an international school, working in a Hong Kong public school and an international school are two very different realms.

I'm hoping that public schools in Canada or international schools will look favourably upon my experience here in HK, but I'm not holding my breath because really, we aren't doing what a primary school teacher does in a western school system. Unless you happen to be the ESL teacher at your school, that is.

Still, you could start as a PNET and then try to get an interview with an international school in HK once you're here. If they can meet you in person they may be more apt to hire you. That's what I'm thinking right now anyway.

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

Yeah, but as a PNET you are teaching the locals everything you know about education- it is not only language teaching. So much more than that is involved. So, it depends how you think of it. It's nothing like teaching English in a language center. The approaches are meant to be similar to teaching literacy in the west- and the EMB hopes eventually that western education methods will spread across their curriculum. Anyways, since most of the kids in International schools speak English as a Second language anyways, I wouldn't worry about it.