Job Discussion Forums

[ironopolis]

Is it possible (and, if so, advisable) to apply for both a PNET and SNET position simultaneously?

Is there anyone on here, or does anyone know of somebody, who did this? If there is someone who applied for both, I'd be interested to know of the actual logistics of doing so - separate application forms, separate interviews etc?

Any useful input appreciated.

[Smoog]

I applied for both a couple of years ago.
I had seperate interviews for each, unsurprisingly. Different people. Similar questions, iirc. I had seperate forms to fill in as well.

I don't know if they talk between the two groups. Having been in the EMB system 2+ years now, I'd hazard a guess and say "No".

I was only offered a place in the PNET scheme, but that was I feel probably more due to turning up 2 hours late for the SNET interview* than being offered a PNET position.



*I would like to point out that my tardiness was entirely not my fault. The interviews were in NZ, and so the organisation of it all were through Edstaff. They told me about the PNET interview at 5 pm, but forgot to tell me I also had a SNET interview the same day at 3pm. It wasn't until I turned up at 4.20pm did I find out. Edstaff apologised to me and set up another interview hastily - just before my PNET one, but I got the distinct feeling they didn't explain to the EMB people interviewing me via vid-link that my lack of showing was entirely their fault. Finding out that one has missed an interview and thrown into it minutes after having driven 4+ hours without even been given the time to go to the toilet, isn't the best way to prepare. So it was unsurprising I missed out on an SNET.
That, and some other pretty major cock-ups on Edstaff's part (that prevented me from taking up a job in Spetember as is usual) certainly has me warning anyone in Oz/NZ to be wary of them and deal with the EMB directly as much as possible.

[ironopolis]

Thanks a lot for that, smoog, useful to know.

Unless it was just coincidence that the EMB wanted to do the two interviews on the same afternoon, I would assume that there is at some element of co-ordination between the people dealing with the respective SNET and PNET applications. I'd be travelling to HK from Japan for any interview so obviously having 2 interviews but NOT on the same or at least consecutive days would be a bit of a problem.

I hear what you're saying about Edstaff messing you around for the SNET interview, which surely can't have helped. But, if you don't mind me asking, was there also anything about your experience and background which made you more attractive to PNET than SNET?
I notice, from browsing this forum, some people feel that PNET, more so than SNET, struggles to fill its vacancies - is that possibly also a reason why you were offered the PNET job but not the SNET one? It'd be interesting to know if anyone has applied for both and been offered both, or do the EMB decide to offer only one or the other?

Incidentally, smoog, how do you feel with a bit of hindsight now, about getting the PNET job over the SNET one? Did you ever wish it'd been the other way round?

Anyway, cheers again for the reply - much appreciated.

[Smoog]

Just sent you a pm that (hopefully) answers your questions!

[misutabiru]

I realize this post is a bit old, but I now find myself in a similar situation. I applied only for a PNET position, but after I sent in my application materials I was told that I might be more qualified for SNET, and the Canadian company I am applying through has requested two interviews for me.

My question to Smoog (and anyone else with any insight on this matter) is this: if you had any say in the matter, would you have preferred to join the SNET scheme? I have read a number of posts comparing PNET and SNET, but so far the only major differences seem to be that SNETs have more work and they tend to enjoy their jobs less. Has anyone out there had any contrary (or corroborating) experience?

Thanks a bunch,

mr. bill

[hkteach]

PNETs don't teach on their own (well they're not supposed to, but some schools don't abide by this EMB guideline). As a PNET you co-plan with the local English teachers and co-teach the lessons with them. Depending on the size of your school this could be 1, 2 or 3 lessons. EMB recommends that PNETs work at KS2 level (primary 1,2 and 3) and focus on the teaching of reading.
Some schools use the EMB-designed reading program, others have their NET devise a unit of work using Big Books and do the fine-tuning with the local teachers. Some have their NET teach the textbook (which requires a lot of creativity on the NETs part to prevent boredom or insanity setting in). Other duties could include training kids for the speech festival, mock interviews for secondary placement, drama, extra-curricular English activities, English corner at recess or lunchtime (could be games, story-reading, readers' theatre etc. etc.)
It all depends on your school.

SNETs work more like a local English teacher (full responsibility for a class or classes, including teaching the syllabus, setting and correcting homework, individual projects and essays, correcting exams, recording marks and doing a variety of other duties - debating, oral exams, extra English activities etc. etc. - whatever the school wants )

Also, secondary schools may be Band 1 (the 'best' non-private secondary schools) Band 2 or Band 3 (very low achievement/motivation and often, but not always, with the accompanying behavioural problems) In genreal there'd be quite high expectations on SNETs in Band 1 schools, while not the same pressure in Band 3 but then maybe other student issues (behavioural, motivational)

In short, as a PNET you have more support in the classroom in a shared responsibility situation, while SNETs are more on their own and have virtually full responsibility for their classes.

Work it out...... if the secondary kids don't achieve in English, there's only one person to blame. In primary, the local teachers teach the majority of the English lessons and only a couple with the NET so if miracles don't occur, the NET isn't the patsy.

SNETs are paid more and the above differences probably go some way to explaining this variation in salary.

If I had a choice, I'd definitely go for the PNET job.

[hkteach]

Ooops sorry - meant to say that PNETs work with KS1 (NOT KS2 as appears in my previous post.)

[misutabiru]

Thanks, hkteach. That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for.