Job Discussion Forums

plutodog1818 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

Folks I am not a newbie to ESL, but I am new to Hong Kong. So........

1) What do PNET and SNET stand for and what are the differences (including salary);

2) When is the recruiting season?

3) Do us folks from the USA have a chance to get a job or do my Brit and Aussie friends get all the plum jobs?

4) I have a Law Degree and 8 years teaching GED (high school equivalency) and Adult Continuing Education (nights and weekends). No TOEFL certification. So what are my chances of getting a position with a competitive salary?

Thanks for all of your help.

hkteach · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 202 Location: Hong Kong

Hi plutodog,
Re.your questions.
1. SNET/PNET - Yesterday I wrote a post about the basic differences (see other thread on this topic)

2. Although ads are placed in international press and also on overseas teaching forums, you can actually submit an application at any time. Current ads are for positions beginning in August 07 and interviews will be 'in bulk' i.e. interview panels set up to interview in HK and also recruiters interview lots of applicants. then too.
If you submit an application at other times, it will depend on the overseas recruiter or, if coming to HK, the EMB will only set up interviews when they have enough applicants to make it feasible.

3. I haven't met any NETs from USA - that doesn't mean there aren't any, just that I haven't met any/heard of any. Quite a few Canadians though. The majority are from Oz, UK, NZ and Canada.

"Plum jobs" ha ha. Whether a NET job (Secondary or Primary) is a plum job is entirely up to the school you get.
You have some choice - school/s contact prospective NETs and it's up to the NET to ask the right questions (and hopefully, get honest answers).

Some turn out to be plum jobs (as far as working in this antiquated, cruel system could ever be called a plum job) BUT some are just plain lemons.
If and when you get an offer, post on here to ask about the area and maybe even the particular school (somebody might know).

You can also read and post messages on the NETs forum at west-web.com and follow the links.
Good luck with it all.

plutodog1818 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

So you think I should stay in Korea? The money can be very good and the climate almost agreeable. Yes the work enviornment can be bad in some places, but the network of information is pretty good so you learn what to steer clear of.

The public school work is easy (very few hours a day) and you can get great paying 'privates' so you stand to make about 390,000 Euros per month

plutodog1818 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

My mistake I mean 3,250 Euros per month.

plutodog1818 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

By the way, what are the salaries like in Hong Kong? What are the ranges and what is considered fair?

Thanks again.

hkteach · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 202 Location: Hong Kong

We are obviously online at the same time pluto (don't know about you, but I suspect I have too much time on my hands today -CNY holiday break).

Sorry don't know about Euros so you'd have to put it in HKD for me to understand.
But, I must admit, the thought of 390,000 Euros sounded a lot - for a moment there, I thought I might apply to Korea. ):

Salary here is based on qualifications and years of teaching experience. That experience is calculated POST degree, so in your case it seems you'd be credited with 8 years max. Not sure what the salary is for that level but certainly not top of scale which is HKD36575 a month + retention bonus for second contract - an extra 5%. Housing allowance is 12950 a month so if you get a cheaper flat, you can save some of that allowance as well.
I'm guessing when I say your starting salary would probably be in high 20s HKD ) + housing allowance. You can certainly live well, travel and save on that if you don't spend all your time in the bars and clubs or eat and shop at upmarket places.
If you go to the website I mentioned earlier (west-web) there's a lot of useful links there and one of them is the salary scale I think.

plutodog1818 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

3,250 Euros would be about 33,350 HKD....... So I do not know if you want to come to Korea or not. Depending on your years of experience you might do better than HK........

Anyway, happy CNY

hkteach · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 202 Location: Hong Kong

Well from a money perspective, I'm MUCH better off in HK.
From the 'adventure' perspective, it could be a different story, although I suspect Korea would be very similar to Hong Kong. I think when I leave here, it will be for a totally different experience.

erike · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 8

The OP may have a Law degree but that doesn't mean much teaching here. A SNET (Secondary) position requires a teaching degree AND a major in English. A PNET (primary) requires at a min a degree and a TESL/TEFL cert and your application will only be sent to schools after all qualified candidates, i.e. those with a teaching degree are considered. If you want more info visit www.emb.gov.hk and click on the icon to the right - Native English Speaking Scheme

Also, IF you are considered, without having a teaching degree there will be a salary bar which will cap you. When the gov't is calculating your salary they will look at your experience. It's hard to say whether you'll get all of your experience recognised because your experience is with secondary or adult learners not primary aged students. But right now, since you don't have a TESL/TEFL cert you don't meet the absolute minimum requirements.

As for your questions about Americans, there are few as hkteach pointed out. The scheme doesn't recruit in America.