Job Discussion Forums

[sillycow]

How have other people found PNET teaching in Hong Kong without ANY prior experience?

I will be starting with only a TESOL certificate and a bachelor degree in a totally unrelated subject. So, assuming that by chance, I do get into the scheme, Is it relatively straightforward work (okay, I know that I am at risk of being shot down in flames with that question), provided that I would be willing to put lots of time and research into lessons? Or am I really only kidding myself, trying to be a teacher without a B.Ed or similar? I know I�ll be miles behind in terms of teaching experience and actual training, but is it still accomplishable? Should I even try?

I have high expectations of work quality, I will be putting in 200%, but is enthusiasm alone sufficient to do a great job? Any comments or advice? Thanks!!

[anninhk]

I admire your enthusiasm for taking up a PNET position. Have you done any teaching at all?
Being a PNET teacher is not just about teaching. You are expected to be able to be an agent of change and introduce new methodologies in PD sessions.
Teaching is not just related to spoken language you have to teach reading and phonics. A lot of schools do a PLPR reading scheme in P1/2 and you will be expected to know about how to teaching reading to small children. Writing is also an important feature and you need to know about how to teach children how to write English compositions.
Also you might be very enthusiastic but you might not find the same enthusiasm in your colleagues and you will be expected to work more or less independently.
You can apply but be prepared for what you will face as a PNET teacher!

[sillycow]

Thanks for your reply.

I can only begin to imagine what being a PNET involves, and hoping that TESOL course in the next 6 months will give me a good grounding from which I can build on. Just want to know whether these basic qualifications will be enough to prepare for the first day!

How do you prepare for your classes? Do you follow a syllabus or some sort of structured program?

The actual teaching is only part of my concerns. Keeping order in a classroom is another matter altogether!!

[BTSskytrain]

Patient: Doctor, have you ever performed this particular surgery?

Doctor: Well, actually no I haven't. However, it's a relatively straightforward prodedure.

Hmmmmmmm.

[Baroque]

A trained and qualified Teacher ought to know what being and not being is.Essentially this is a metaphysical hypothesis.One does not speculate on what one ought to be unless they are suffering from a mental disorder.

A qualified Teacher in Australia must have either: A Graduate Diploma in TESOL,a Grad Dip in Primary or Secondary education and/or a Diploma in Early Childhood Education to instruct according to the pedagogic method.

I am infact very surprised the EMB/EDB have selected you so early among the hundreds of other applicants who do have the abovementioned mandatory qualifications to work as a 'Real Teacher' either abroad or in Australia.

A certificate in TESOL won't get you a job in Australia unless it is a fly by night money spinner academy.However,those fly by night academies won't hire you either if you have simply a certificate.

How and what are you going to teach if you don't know what a syllabus is?

Do you know the difference between a syllabus and a curriculum?

I am assuming you have not done a teaching practicum as part of your studies;a practicum is compulsory because it demonstrates you have been "Graded to Teach" by a University Educational Supervisor.

[anninhk]

I actually don't think the poster had been selected - s/he was just thinking about applying.
The issue does affect NETS here in Hong Kong though - the EDB does appoint people without teaching experience or qualifications, as they are cheaper than qualified people. Some people are still of the opinion that being able to speak English is sufficient qualification to be able to teach it.
Unfortunately everyone's experience of being a NET seems to be different and there is no formula for a successful NET teacher. In my opinion, however, someone who has a teaching qualification and some years of experience in mainstream teaching is generally better suited to the demands of being a PNET.

[sillycow]

Thanks for the constructive input from almost everyone. (Thanks anninhk )

BTSskytrain: i get the point...hehe

For the record, i'm NOT pursuing a PNET position this year anyway, i'm going to try some teaching in tutorial centres first and see how I like it.

Now to the other less pleasant post:..

I admit I don't have any inkling what it would be like to be a PNET. I admit fully that I have ZERO experience, and what's more, I haven't even started my certificate course yet, so ZERO knowledge as well!!!! (aren't we off to a great start!)

Note, the EDB are the ones asking for applications from people with just a minimum of any bachelors degree +TESOL certificate. Don't shoot me, i'm just (thinking of) applying for a job!

With my minimal qualifications, i'm expecting that I wouldn't even be selected for an interview, so don't worry baroque, I won't be making any tracks any time soon.

The fact that I am "NOT A REAL TEACHER", DOES however, make me worried, which is why I posted in the first place. I don't want to be a bad teacher. And if that's all that i can be, i'll do something else that i'm actually going to be good at.

I care about where my future path leads, which is why I shared my insecurities on the forum. I care about having high standards in my work which is why I am researching as much as I can about a job before I take it on. I therefore do not appreciate the condescending remarks by a previous poster. Every person has crap to deal with. Don't be nasty. It ruins everyone's day.

[Baroque]

Hi there,

Education is now and the future;as there is allways a glut of teaching work where ever you go.If you trained and studied at University for a Graduate Diploma of Education in relation to 'a' teaching method,you will find you are able to get a job very quickly.Certificates in TESOL/ESL/TESL mean nothing in Australia,especially the online certificates.

Unfortunately,most of the teaching jobs in Australia are CRT (Supply Teaching) as it is known in Hong Kong.However,there are plenty of teaching jobs in the Primary and Secondary sector;it is just a case of a school making provision for one as a new recruit and often there is a lot of competition for a job.

It is no wonder so many Aussie teachers go to the UK or the UAE to teach.Personally I prefer Asia.However,I recommend as any professional would,to commit to a year or 18 months of study;you will be guaranteed a teaching job.

Remember,don't think of the money if you do become a teacher because it is a job about imparting knowledge,not making millions as so many non-educationalists like to believe.The future of a child's education should be in the hands of a qualified educator,not a Rupert Murdoch who are obsessed with making millions simply because education is now and the future.Good luck in your vocational pursuits.

[Sadebugo]

Hey, Silly Cow!

Don't be too discouraged by what you read here. Based on what I've observed in my 13 years of teaching, most people begin their EFL careers with little or no experience/training. The thing is, you wouldn't want to enter a program like NET (where the expectations are very high) without the appropriate qualifications. Most people with no background in EFL head straight for Korea where qualifications don't matter as much. Employers there are just happy if you don't have a criminal record!! Even without a TEFL cert., there are countless employers in Korea that would hire you.

My advice would be for you to get the cert. so you have some training for the job and then, go teach in an institute setting. If you find you like teaching and want to make it a career, you can then go back for more training and start applying for the better positions.

Sadebugo
Djibouti, Horn of Africa
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[puiwaihin]

[Sadebugo]

[sillycow]

Hi everyone, thanks once again for everyone's responses. They've been invaluable.

"So, what kind of teacher can you be? Well, are you a natural leader? Are you charismatic? Do you command respect when dealing with youth? Do you have patience and can you handle frustration well?"


Personally I think I probably don't have the ideal characteristics of a teacher and I fear my lack of patience with obnoxious children will be one great barrier to overcome.

If I know what i'm doing, then I'm better because I'm more confident. If I don't know what I'm doing, then I get afraid of not being the expert at what i'm supposed to be expert in. (i think i'm waffling....sorry)

I'm good at and like things that I'm comfortable and confident in doing, so that probably won't happen until I've had a bit of experience. Until then, i suppose I'll just have to try REALLY HARD.

Another dilemma. Do you think it's a prerequisite to LOVE children? Because I probably only "like" children, it really is only a lukewarm feeling, so I'm also worried this lukewarm will go cold quite quickly under stressful circumstances.

This post has probably exposed me as a potentially really bad candidate of an ESL teacher. Myself, it could be bad (and expensive) decision, but I won't know until I try it!. I've had my heart so set on doing this for the past few months....

What I'm planning is to still get my TESOL certificate anyway and then see what happens when I arrive in Hong Kong (not til August or so, so i won't have to be there for the summer ) Hopefully find a job, throw myself in for a few months and decide then if its for me or not.

Its been very touching to have so many people taking the time to answer my post THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU!!!

[Smoog]

[11:59]

[Surfdude18]