Job Discussion Forums

fatimablush · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Japan

Hey everyone,

As I'm not living in Hong Kong (I reside in Canada), I was wondering if anything is up with the NET Scheme. I have heard through the grapevine that many qualified people with strong ESL backgrounds did not even get an interview for this year. I also saw the Pearl Report, therefore the problems with NET have obviously made it to the media.

I have a Bachelor of Science, a TESL Certificate, and almost 7 years of experience in 4 countries (over 2 in Canada, 1 in Mexico, a few months in China, and 3 years in Japan).

I may apply again for next year. In one year, I will have started and finished my TESOL diploma, which should give me more of a chance to get accepted, but I was a little surprised that I didn't even get an interview. My application was thorough and I had all the required paperwork with the exception of some of the Certificate of No Criminal Convictions. I only had one for Canada, and stated that I had made steps to get them for the other countries but they would not be ready before their application deadline. I have heard that they do accept paperwork at a later date if you don't have everything right away.

I was just wondering if there are other people with similar credentials who did not get an interview.

Cheers

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

The basic requirement is PGCE/PGDE or equivalent. It's possible, but very unlikely, to get work as a NET without it. (perhaps DELTA plus years of experience - others can confirm?)

Yes Sir I Can Bogey · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 201

OP, I hate to say I told you/the forum so, but.....

Anyway, it would help to know whether you applied for the PNET or the SNET scheme. As I understand it, QTS is a prerequisite for the latter. Do you have QTS in Canada? Is Canada like the US in that different regions/states/whatever have different requirements as to what constitutes QTS?

You say you have a TESL qualification. Which type/kind is it? Is it the CELTA or at least CELTA-equivalent? Did it have the required number of observed teaching hours?

You say you have 7 years of experience in 4 countries, but, given the cultural beliefs of many people in HK, that might actually work against you. Locals here rarely if ever 'change jobs', let alone the countries in which they work (especially not those in education).

beaker81 · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 16

Hi there : )

I had the interview back in February without a TESL but I have a B.Ed. Despite them telling me that I can do my TESL in HK, the canadian recruiters have informed me that i must complete the course before I go.

A four week course costing over 2000 dollars to learn something that was already extensively covered in my B.Ed.

With my current workload, I won't be able to take time off to do this course. No way.

RiverMystic · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 1986

Those are the hoops. You jump through them, or you stay home. Your choice.

beaker81 · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 16

^jumping through hoops for what though?

To learn something that was ALREADY covered in your B.Ed?

Pelican_Wrath · Joined: 19 May 2008 Posts: 490

RiverMystic · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 1986

austeacher · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 91 Location: London

I do not know why there is confusion over what constitutes a professional teaching qualification. As I understand it, it follows thus:

a. A PGDE- Post Graduate Diploma in Education entitles a qualified teacher to instruct in the method in which they have qualified as a major in undergraduate studies.

So, if one has majored in English Literature and minored in music then they are able to use English. Lit as the tool for delivering a learning and instructing program. If one has minored in music then the individual may be able to teach music too. This wholly depends on the needs of the school and the principal who makes the final decision. The school may be willing to use the teacher's minor method rather than to hire another teacher more qualified; for parsimonious motives.

b. TESOL. Listen and read.

Don't be fooled folks in to doing a two week DELTA or CELTA or any other dodgy ESL certificate. They are worth nothing in most other countries. Unless of course you are teaching in a suss school in China, Japan or Sth Korea. Allways consider a University Diploma under all circumstances. I say diploma not certificate.

Diplomas ensure you stand in good stead against other applicants who possess certificates. Ensure a teaching practicum is part of the program. And make sure it meets your country's requirements to teach there. If that is the case then you are guaranteed your teaching tool is a benchmark teaching tool. Make sure it is a benchmark teaching tool and not some ''buy online'' teaching certificate.

Read the EMB requirements for teaching tools necessary for you to qualify as an instructor in HK or elsewhere. You will find if you possess a Grad Dip in ''any'' teaching method your chances of being selected as a teacher for the country in question will increase.

Molson · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 137 Location: China

I am pretty sure most certificates of qualification can be transferred from province to province in Canada, so a Canadian QTS should suffice.

I don't see the value in people doing a TESL certificate or a CELTA if you intend to teach high school students in a public school. Why not do an additional qualification course in ESL? That is what I am doing and it will go on my teaching certificate that I am qualified to teach ESL. IMO this is better for high school students. If you wish to teach adults, I would think the CELTA or a TESL certificate would be better.

Canadian B.Ed degrees are the equivalent to British PGDE as you need a regular 4 year degree before doing the 5th year in education. There is a 12+ week practicum component where one is observed.

To the OP: You need to be a certified teacher in your home country for NET.

To the recent grad with a B.Ed, why didn't you do an AQ in ESL and sell that as better than a 2-4 week TESL course?

austeacher · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 91 Location: London

What may be considered as ''registered teacher'' in one country should apply elsewhere if the ''other'' country recognises Diplomas. I use ''diploma'' in this case generically.

Example: In Australia, any PGDE is recognised. I mean a Post Graduate Diploma in Education that targets learners of primary or secondary learning. Certificates of any type of delivery of education are negligible.

So, if one wanted to come to teach in Australia merely with a certificate as a teaching tool, you will not be hired in the National Providers of education in the areas of Primary, Secondary or ESL.

On the other hand Bob Browns Corner Shop ESL school will consider your qualification, but a National Provider like A.M.E.S will not.

Example. I possess a Grad Dip in TESOL. It is a University delivered program. As part of the method in ESL a Teaching Practicum was integral to the study and learning of the method. It is essential that observation of teaching styles and a teaching practicum is a part of the overall program as that scaffolds the knowledge necessary to be both self-critical and critical of other teacher's modes of teaching.

Now, if one possesses a Grad Dip in TESOL or a Grad Dip in primary or secondary education, that should automatically guarantee one an open door policy to teach anywhere. It totally depends on the school's needs and the method necessary to fill the post that is being advertised.

I applied for the PNET scheme, whether I will get an interview as a preliminary proess to the application is questionable as we are entering the month of June. The PNET scheme considers applicants with a Grad Dip in TESOL or a Certificate from what I am aware of; but it is a question of supply versus demand. I think over the years Teachers have discovered the Hong Kong gold mine so it is harder for people with ESL qualifications to get a gig with the NET scheme; that is merely an assumption.