Job Discussion Forums

[SMYMCYIP]

Dear all ^v^

I need advice on which route I should take. I am coming to HK to work and I have been offered 2 jobs, 1 Singapore International and the other PNET position(only offered job, have not been approached by a school yet or a contract or salary). However, I am not sure which job to take, since I am in the early stages of my carreer I want to choose the job that will provide me better prospects in the future. Can anyone give advice which job is better or the pros and cons??

I have a BA, PGDE, CELTA and 4 years experience teaching English as a second language and 1 year state school experience in UK.

Thanks
McYip

[anninhk]

First of all it depends on whether you are going to teach primary or secondary school as a NET. A secondary school teacher is treated more like a local teacher having to take a class and set exams etc. A primary teacher's role is more like that of an advisor as they have to co-teach one - three lessons in a couple of year levels and are also to run PD sessions and generally aim to introduce new teaching approaches.
I would think that the teaching in the international school and in the SNET system will probably be comparable if you are hoping to continue in mainstream schools in the future. However I'm not sure it will be the case if you are intend to teach in primary schools as you will not get the same experience as a teacher who is expected to teach all subjects to one class. A PNET experience will probably be more useful if you intend to teach English language to young children.

[anninhk]

Sorry - you are going to be a PNET so my last point is the only one that really applies!

[briandwest]

The job satisfaction and experience you get with the PNET job will depend on the school that wants to employ you. Some, like my own, are excellent whilst others are much more frustrating for the PNET. You can only really make a valid comparison once you have got a PNET school to evaluate. Be aware that it can take up to 3 months for a school to contact you once you have the initial job offer. Check out the school as carefully as you can especially for things like location and previous employment of NETs. www.pnets.org can help you with this.
As a rule I would think that experience in an international school would be more highly regarded by future employers.
I would also have thought that the Int'l School would pay better. with 5 years experience you'll get in the region of HK$25,000 + HK$12,500 allowance per month as a PNET.

[SMYMCYIP]

Thanks for all the tips!! but the I dont think the EMB will give me such a high salary because 4 years of my experience was prior to my PGDE. At that time I only had a CELTA and Ba.

As for the International school there pay is not attractive at all they are only offering $29000 per month no housing. A yearly performance bonus from 1-3 months salary and at the end of the 2 year contract gratuity of 10%. So at the moment I am split between the two choices.

So I guess I will wait as you have suggested... wait... until some school approaches me with a contract and a salary package.

Thanks everyone for the advice!!

[anninhk]

It should count if it was post your degree unless it was part time. Be ready to have all the documentation to prove your employment if you choose to be a PNET