Job Discussion Forums

Konstansis · Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 13

Hi,

I graduated from uni in London in December with a psych degree and I want to go to Hong Kong to live for a while. I've always been interested in HK, but I've never done any teaching iin my life. Can I get a job there having a degree and nothing else? What kind of salary could I expect?
I woudl get a TEFL cert but I want to try the job first before I spend the money. I already made the mistake of assuming I'd always like my uni discipline, don't want a repeat.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Horizontal Hero · Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 2:10 pm Post subject:

You might have a bit of trouble without any teaching qualifications. Others here might be able to comment in more detail. I can tell you that it would be no trouble getting a job in the mainland cities right next to Hong Kong - Shenzhen and Zhuhai. You are just looking at an hour or two to travel to HK from those cities. You may actually be financially better off in Shenzhen - you might earn almost as much, but with much lower living costs. Of course the lifstyle and culture is quite different. But some people prefer the mainland. I think the mainland is better for young people, in my personal opinion. You can have a lot of fun. HK is a bit stiff for my liking.

Just a thought.

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

There are a few kindergartens that will hire you without any teaching quals or experience. (Some of these will exclude males, though). Ditto for some of the extra-curricular private language schools. Pay for these should be between 10,000 and 15,000 HK dolls. Housing is rarely included. Just check scmp.com to find job ads and what they are looking for.

Welshguy · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 143

I would think about adding a decent TEFL to your degree if I were you.
You will be able to get some sort of work here but your chances of avoiding really crap jobs will be enhanced if you have that bit of paper.
Some private language centres and kindies will probably give you a start but you may well have problems with work permits and so end up working illegally, I did it myself for a year with no real problems but immigration types do raid places and deport people, sometimes via Stanley Prison. Also you have do do visa runs and its a lottery,some people can accumulate years of stamps and others told to sling their hook after one of two re-entries. The near mainland is well worth considering as well.

Good luck

briandwest · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 98 Location: Hong Kong

The EMB NET scheme will probably accept you into one of it's Primary School on the basis of a degree alone, but teaching in a Primary school will be a big learning curve. You can apply through the EMB or check out the classified section of the south china morning post (ww.scmp.com.hk) for schools looking for a NET.