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Mixuemichelle
Joined: 17 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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 Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:29 am Post subject: Teaching in HK without a degree |
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I was wondering if if is possible to teach in HK without a degree? I have been in contact with a school in Kowloon and they don't seem concerned. I know it is very hard to get a foot in the door over there without having one so should I be worried about this place considering me without one?????
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!
Michelle |
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Serious_Fun
Joined: 28 Jun 2005
Posts: 1171
Location: terra incognita
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: |
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Do you have Right of Abode here? If you are not a permanent resident or on a dependent visa, then I think that it would be very difficult (almost impossible) to get a work visa for a teaching position. See below:
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id991.htm
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Applicants who are not non-local graduates but possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in the HKSAR may apply to come to work under the GEP.
21. An application for a visa/ entry permit to take up employment under the GEP may be favourably considered if:
*there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
*the applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be accepted;
*there is a genuine job vacancy;
*the applicant has a confirmed offer of employment and is employed in a job relevant to his academic qualifications or working experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local work force;
*and the remuneration package including income, accommodation, medical and other fringe benefits is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals in the HKSAR. |
So, if you are not a local, do not have Right of Abode, do not have a degree, and are not on a dependent visa it is still theoretically possible for you to get a work visa. You will need to provide legitimate documentation that you have "taught" before...which may be difficult since you do not have a degree. (Have you "taught" before?)
Even if you do manage to get a work visa without a degree, I can almost guarantee you that the job will pay you almost nothing. What kind of "school" would consider a teacher without a university degree?
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| I know it is very hard to get a foot in the door over there without having one so... |
Hard to get "a foot in the door" without a degree in Hong Kong?  People here in HK are making low wages even having earned a degree and a CELTA/TEFL cert. (at language centres, a.k.a. EFL sweatshops.)
I have never heard of a foreign teacher on a work visa without a degree in HK. Perhaps someone else has more information that will prove me wrong.
This is not the place to be without QTS. |
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Mixuemichelle
Joined: 17 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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I have been teaching for 6 years in China so I have taught but most likely not in the same caliber that HK will require.
I will carry on teaching my way around China instead! Thanks so much for your help I appreciate that.
Take care |
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Marcoregano
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 872
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject: |
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| The fact you don't have a degree doesn't make it impossible to get work here as a teacher, but you would need to be sure that the school is backing you up and has all the necessary paperwork to cover you - as well as paying you well enough to live in HK. So far as the work goes, it looks like you have plenty of experience. |
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Mixuemichelle
Joined: 17 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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I will find out soon enough I guess. I have been asked for a phone interview so I can bombard him with questions to make sure this is legit. The salary is pretty good I think but then I have never taught in HK (12,000 - 18,000 plus free apartment, medical/Dental? but I am not sure if that salary would apply to me as the post does say a degree is required. Reminded him a few times I didn't have one but he still seems to want a phone interview so time will tell I guess. Would be nice to get somewhere cleaner and that has great western food!
Thanks Marcoregano for taking the time to reply! Have a great week.
Michelle |
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Marcoregano
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 872
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:45 am Post subject: |
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| HK18,000 is OK but 12,000 would be insufficient for a reasonable lifestyle unless you're a very frugal person. Personally I've always regarded 20,000 as a benchmark for living reasonably well in HK, but if your apartment is free then you could certainly survive comfortably on less. However, if I were you I'd certainly take a look at the accomodation before making a decision. |
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Mixuemichelle
Joined: 17 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:55 am Post subject: |
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Oh boy am I frugal! I have been making 5000RMB a month in China and I manage to save at least 4500 of it. But I am sure my first few months in HK I would live it up and eat at all the good places and do some shopping but after that I would settle into a routine of saving and being a recluse.
You are a very insightful man and I truly appreciate you taking the time to reply to me. Knowing I might have a slight chance is good news for me but not counting the proverbial chicken yet!!
Michelle |
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Marcoregano
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 872
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:09 am Post subject: |
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Sounds like you know how to live cheaply! I'm not a spendthrift, but yesterday I spent the equivalent of 500RMB on a bottle of wine and some takeaway food for our evening meal on the way home from work.
Don't forget that HK is much more expensive than China, and if you're not careful you can blow a heap of cash easily. |
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Mixuemichelle
Joined: 17 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:20 am Post subject: |
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| I went there in 2004 to get a new visa and had only brought enough money to stay 2 days.....liked it so much stayed 8 days and still went home with money so I must have done something right!! But yes I sure do remember how much the price difference was that is for sure! Living in China (and also constantly moving around) has taught me to not be materialistic anymore. I take buses or walk, eat cheap hole in the wall food when I don't feel like cooking at home, drink cheap street beer and stay away from the bars as much as possible. But of course if I do get that job I will go hog wild for one month as a present to myself for being so cheap for 6 years! Although after training myself for so long I might TRY to go hog wild and end up still being a cheap bum haha. |
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Kaloi
Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 2:11 am Post subject: |
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I know several people in their early twenties who are here without a work visa, or the right of abode, and they are teaching for cash at learning centers.
They're making a killing, too.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but it's possible. |
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Serious_Fun
Joined: 28 Jun 2005
Posts: 1171
Location: terra incognita
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| Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:57 am Post subject: |
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| Kaloi wrote: |
| They're making a killing, too. |
Is the "killing" a nice hourly rate, or a net amount per month? |
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jordan fan
Joined: 18 Jan 2009
Posts: 1
Location: United States
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject: No degree and teaching in Hong Kong |
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Hi Mixuemichelle, I was wondering if you have had any luck finding a job in Hong Kong. Please let me know. I am an American looking for a teaching job in Hong Kong, but I also do not have a degree. I would like to know if you have found anything.
Thanks,
Cody |
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Serious_Fun
Joined: 28 Jun 2005
Posts: 1171
Location: terra incognita
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| Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 9:01 am Post subject: Re: No degree and teaching in Hong Kong |
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| jordan fan wrote: |
| I am an American looking for a teaching job in Hong Kong, but I also do not have a degree. I would like to know if you have found anything. |
I assume that she found a culture that values education, and that would shudder at the thought of an uneducated person posing as a teacher, even if they worked for a Mainlander-owned tutorial centre that managed to wangle a work visa for her.
jordan fan, why don't you earn a degree before heading into competitive waters? |
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