Job Discussion Forums

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

for all the people working as (P)NETS... looking back what are the most important questions to ask when negotiating/looking at a contract offer from a school? Do schools have a problem with you contating preesnt NETS who are leaving the school?

Thanks

Pieface · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 42

The schools are bound by the terms of the EMB with regards to salary (assuming you want to join the school as a PNET). You can check out the details on the EMB website (www.emb.gov.hk).
If you are talking about how far up the pay scale you should be then again, the EMB decides this based on your submission of relevant, legitimate proof of previous employment.
As for what time you start and finish your day, that's up to you to negotiate with the school. It's not uncommon to start at 7.45 and leave at 4.30 if you work at a whole day school.
To give you some idea of workload, I teach 21 40 minute lessons per week (plus extra curricular activities [basketball, reading, games etc...]- recess and after school) I know people who do much more than this, and I know people who do much less. Try to negotiate what you think is a 'fair' workload.
Most PNETS will teach KS1 P1 and P2 classes, plus one class from KS2.
It's absolutely fine for you to contact the current NET at the school, but remember that different people will have different views. I chose not to contact the previous NET here as I wanted to form my own opinion of the place. You could err on the side of caution, just be aware that it may unnecessarily colour your judgement!

Hope that helps Smile

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

thanks for the reply- I am aware of the salary being set by the EMB but after countless hours/days of research am also aware that it is EXTREMELY necessary to know about your school before going... as many NETS it sounds like have had a tough time possibly due to not knowing much before going into a contract? teaching hours and amount of extra curricular activities are important to hash out for sure ........any other questions which could give me an idea as to the type of school? In terms of demographics are there areas (schools to avoid/hope to be in)

thanks again

lambada · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 50

As far as I remember, under the EMB guidelines you should only teach 2 grades but ultimately it's up to the school. Try to avoid Saturday work as it wrecks the weekend. A few each year is ok and if it's compulsory, you are stuck with it (ie am or pm schools). Make sure you get an English Room with computer if possible. Make sure you will have a local teacher with you during all lessons. Again it's in the EMB guidelines. Teaching on your own with no Cantonese language skills can be fairly nightmarish. I did it for 2 years. Try to get the best deal you can at the start during your honeymoon period. Try to establish proper vacations. ie that you have to go back home to visit your family. Especially the July holiday. I only got under 4 weeks while other NETs got up to 6 weeks. Just cos the contract starts on 16th August, it doesn't mean you have to turn up. Good luck. On the whole if you go with the flow, take it easy, adapt to the local environment and don't talk about your personal life at any significant level and you should be fine.

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

There is no negotation regarding the contract. As others have said it is a standard contract issued by the EMB.
The questions you need to ask before signing the contract should relate to the school and the kind of teaching you will be doing so that you can decide if you want to teach at that school.
How many students are at the school? How many classes are there in each year group? If it is only 1 or 2 then you'll be teaching in many more yeargroups.
Is the school part of the PLPR? - reading scheme with co-teaching/co-planning.
What English text-books / reading programmes do they use.
What are the respnsibilities of the current NET?
Why is the current NET leaving?
What are the expected work hours?
etc.
I'd then put all the answers in an email and email the Principal to confirm the conversation you've had. It is quite likely that the conversation will be conveniently forgotten at a later stage!

starfall · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 18 Location: hong kong

And even after you've managed to negotiate the terms of your contract, if you don't have it down in writing, it can change by the time you get here.

I agreed a contract and even though I tried to get it in writing, I was asked to trust the school as to the terms of my employment. By the time I got here, it had all changed.