Job Discussion Forums

[southerngirl]

Hello All!

Any advice or information would be much appreciated.

I'm mid way through contract at a public elementary school in South Korea. Upon completion, I'll re-sign for one more year and then return to the USA to complete "educator certification" (same thing as "teacher's college" in Canada). When that's finished, I would be very interested in teaching in Hong Kong

1. Does the NET scheme require teachers to have "classroom experience" in their native country when hiring?

2. Would 5 years of experience teaching elementary students in Korea be counted as experience in any way, shape, or form? Though I'm currently not a "certified teacher" , I've logged lots of hours in the front of a classroom

3. Regarding the TESL certification requirement I read about, does the NET scheme look at certain programs more favorably than others?

Thanks!!
Leigh

[hkteach]

EDB count your teaching experience "post degree".
If you don't have a degree, then your teaching qualification (which is a lesser qualification) will only allow you to go a certain way up the salary scale (not as far as a degree).

Some NETs with many years teaching pre-degree have not had these years counted.... only their few years after gaining a degree.
This has meant that they are placed towards the bottom of the salary scale, instead of near the top ... perhaps on the same level as someone with a couple of years experience.

I think in your situation, none your teaching experience will be counted, because it has been done before you completed either of the above qualifications and you'd therefore be put oon the same level as a newly qualified teacher with no teaching experience.

[Kaloi]

I don't know what your plan is, so this may not be relevant - but if you are hired by a public school as an "admitted teacher", you don't need your qualifications assessed by the HKCAAVQ for three months after you arrive at the job.

At least, that is what my school has said I have to do - I don't know how standardized that is.

As far as I can tell, the biggest difference between a teacher who is under the net scheme and one who isn't is that the latter doesn't receive the same sorts of benefits as the former. Stop me if I'm wrong..

I will be working as an admitted teacher at a primary and I know for a fact that my experience before having gotten my degree was what interested them. And I was compensated in my base salary for not having been given a living allowance (which was wayyyyy more than sufficient for a 21 year old who lives primarily on cereal sans milk, la mian and boiled eggs ).


Soooo - what I mean to say is, despite there being a lot of restrictions with the EDB, there are definitely ways in which you can find a job without jumping through (those particular) hoops.

[Marcoregano]

Kaloi, if you are only 21, how can you have a degree and teaching experience? Just curious!

[Kaloi]

pm'd

[southerngirl]

Thanks to everyone who replied. In essence, I was wondering if once I had completed my teaching certification and applied for a job in Hong Kong, my experience in South Korea as an elementary school ESL teacher would count as experience and allow me to get a litte higher salary.

For those of you who have seen the Teach Away Recruitment add, the pay range is quite wide.

Thanks again!!
Leigh

[Marcoregano]

Leigh, if you already have a degree (it's not clear in your OP) I think you may get some recognition for your teaching experience (ie. it is at least post-degree experience, if not post teacher-certification experience).

But for sure, pre-degree experience does not count on the NET salary scale - though may help you get the job.

[Serious_Fun]