Job Discussion Forums

[DaveW125]

Hi,
I�ve looked through the EDB website sections with regards to the NET scheme and read their FAQ and I�m looking for some clarification on a few points. I�ve emailed them with these same 2 questions ([email protected] ) but as yet I�ve had no reply. I've also tried using the search function here but......

My first question is regarding the start dates. It would appear that the main start date is around the July/August time but is this rigidly set in stone. My girlfriend and I are currently working elsewhere in Asia and would like to start working when our current contracts expire. I would like to start on April the first, my girlfriend on May the first of next year. Are these dates viable if we start our application procedure now? What is the likely hood of us getting any offers?

My second question is regarding eligibility. My girlfriend is certainly qualified but I�m not too sure about myself. The EDB website says you need a degree ( which I have ) and a TEFL qualification up to certificate level. Which certificate do they want? Is it CELTA/Trinty standard? I�m about to undertake a 150 hour, accredited, distance learning TESOL cert. would this, coupled with 2 years teaching experience, be sufficient?

Many thanks in advance.

[anninhk]

Although NET jobs usually start in August some people also come in January. I don't think, however, you can specify when you want to start. First you have to be selected. Interviews take place at various times during the year and if you pass that then your details are passed to schools who actually offer you the job. The whole procedure can take several months.
You haven't specified whether you want to teach in the primary or secondary sector. For the primary sector I think a teaching qualification is also a requirement but people have been appointed without one. I think the TEFL qualification you mention should be OK but you need to check with the EDB as to whether they accept it.

[Marcoregano]

It's very unlikely either of you would be able to start the NET programme in April/May. The vast majority of NET jobs kick off in August (as you seem to be aware) and appointments take place (as Ann points out) at the end of a protracted interview/recruitment process.

Some appointments do take place during the year - mostly in January as a result of teacher dropouts during the autumn term. BUT most of these go to teachers who are known to the programme (eg. teachers who already have NET experience) and are on the ground in HK.

But in any event, April/May is a complete non-starter as it's almost the end of the school year, with exams about to start and little or no teaching left to do.

Regarding TEFL quals, Trinity and Celta are generally the most recognised, but NET probably recognise others - they are more concerned about QTS status. Without QTS, as you may be aware, you will only get onto the bottom rung of the salary scale - though that still beats a lot of jobs in HK.

[dandan]

Agree with Marcoregano on the start date, although positions do come up during the school year due to drop outs, starting just before the end of the school year wouldn't seem very likely.

Qualifications wise you wouldn't seem to be qualified, but there's no harm in having a go. As I understand it your two years teaching experience should be post-qualification so if you are just taking your cert now then you would need to then get two years classroom experience after completing your course before you were qualified for the NET scheme. I also wouldn't imagine that a distance-learning TEFL would be accepted as by definition there would be no observed teaching practice which is usually one of the key criteria. Once again, there's no harm in applying but it wouldn't seem likely.

[DaveW125]

thanks for all the replies.

so with regards to teaching experience its only valid if its post TEFL cert and not post degree? Reading the British Council website this would appear to be the case as well. ( again my girlfriend is fully qualified, its just me dragging her down ).

Reading your posts it does seem unlikely that i'll be able to secure a teaching post with the NET scheme which is unfortunate. However checking the South China Post classifieds there seems to be quite a lot of other jobs, im guessing that these arn't as well paid ( please correct me if im wrong ) . Does anyone know if schools are likely to employ or be looking to secure teachers this far away from a starting date ( April 1st - May 1st)? Is the general interview-visa- starting job sequence quite as long winded as the NET scheme appears to be?

thanks again.

[Serious_Fun]

[DaveW125]

[hkteach]

Re start dates - although start of school year is the ideal time for all concerned (and that's the time when most NETs start) there are still vacancies at other times of the year - as mentioned by other posters, this may be due to dropouts but also due to some schools not getting a NET earlier and so they might appoint one at the times you're thinking of.

I know two people who started very late in the school year - one just after Easter a couple of years ago and one who started in April this year.
Both of these people had contracts of two years and a few months.

Re. TEFL - SNETS don't need to have this.
The wording in PNET contract is quite ambiguous due to the use of "either"......" and "or....... and ......" (if and when you read it, you'll see how ambigious it is) but has come to be interpreted as TEFL being required (and if PNET doesn't have it, they will agree to get it during the first year of their contract).

However, it is not essential to have it UNLESS your school says so.
I know several PNETs (myself included here) who have been here for many years and don't have TEFL - our schools don't even ask about it - they're very pleased to have a NET wh�'s a native English speaker with degree,teaching quals, experience teaching young learners in a country where English is the language of instruction. Maybe it would be different if we had a degree in sociiology and grew up in Paris (??)

Some I know did an online course and did their prac when they were home in the summer (not sure how that worked, but that's what they said they did and EDB approved it)

RE qualifications - EDB uses a sliding scale of NET candidate attributes, ranging from degree + teaching qualification + post-degree experience and other categories which include degree in any subject + TEFL/no degree but teaching qualification etc.
There are currently several (many??) NETs with degrees in subjects totally unrelated to teaching (engineering, fashion design) and TEFL and also degree in non-teaching field and no TEFL either. Obviously EDB thought they met the criteria and schools hired them (how they can run a reading program/mentor the local teachers/lead professional development in English teaching is beyond me, but that's quite another issue).

So as you can see, it's possible to be unqualified and still be a NET - it's just a case of whether a school is prepared to hire you. Many schools won't but obviously some will - and if they're still looking for a NET in April-May they might not be too choosy.

Submit an application - you have nothing to lose.

[Marcoregano]

As hkteach (and I!) have pointed out, you don't need full QTS to get onto the NET programme. It seems you don't even need experience to get into PNET:

Category 4 (to be appointed at APSM rank)

(i) a bachelor�s degree in any subject from a Hong Kong University or equivalent; and

*(ii) a TEFL/TESL qualification at least at certificate level.

*Candidates who are considered for appointment but do not possess a TEFL/TESL qualification will be required to obtain such qualification at least at certificate level within the first contract at their own expenses and in their own spare time.


For SNET, this seems the easiest entry route:

Category 6 (to be appointed at GM rank)

(i) a bachelor�s degree in English Language or English Literature or English Studies or Linguistics# or a Modern Language# from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii) a TEFL/TESL qualification at least at the diploma level; and

(iii) at least 1 year�s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at secondary level or above.

Although Category 6 states that you need a first degree in English or languages, as hkteach says, the reality seems to be that they have dropped that requirement in practice. In both the above categories you will come way down the pecking order (and the salary scale) but you are still in with a shout, and with the housing allowance you will still start on over or around HK$30,000 a month, which is not bad at all.

[DaveW125]

hey guys, thanks for all the info ( and the spelling and grammar lesson ) all very much appreciated.

As HKteach said i've nothing to loose by submitting an application so i'm in process of putting it together now.

Having worked in South Korea for a couple of years where a 5 minute phone call constitutes an interview i rather forgot that other countries are likely to want to do things properly and have a face to face interview. So i have one small question about the interview process. I'm only going to be back in the UK for about 3 weeks in March next year, pretty busy and not at all close to London (pretty sure i know the answer to this question already)...does the interview have to be face to face, any chance of it being via webcam or the like? I'm guessing not, although looking at the interview locations (Auckland, London, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver and Hong Kong )i imagine this must be a problem for a lot of people - especially as every other English speaking country is a lot bigger than the UK!