Job Discussion Forums

[B0RGNINE]

Hello all, I've just begun lurking around the HK part of Dave's.

I'm hoping for some insight.

Some info about me. 35 year old childless (my enormous student loan is the only child I can afford right now) single male American. BA in English Lit., three years in Sapporo, Japan with the JET Program (which I know does NOT qualify as teaching experience, but does qualify as a living-abroad-experience) two years experience teaching academic English for a university affiliated Intensive English Program. Just graduated with my MA in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in TESL. At the same time I was finishing my masters, I also finished all my work towards my teaching cert. I've filed the application for my cert. and am now just waiting for it to be processed. Currently, I'm working at a college in Yokohama, Japan teaching accredited English courses. My contract is up at the end of July and am considering a move.

I've always had it in my mind I'd make it to Hong Kong eventually, and this may be a good time for me.

Here is where I'm particular. I prefer teaching adults to children. So much so that I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of money. Another uni job would be ideal. What might my chances be? And if not uni, does anyone have any experience teaching adults in another context? And how does the pay compare?

To save time, I have done some searching, but it seems the majority of the posts are about the different NET programs, and not about teaching adults. So any information this way would be great.

Thanks all.

[Yes Sir I Can Bogey]

I am probably one of the only people on this forum to have experience teaching at university in Hong Kong. I previously taught both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in a wide range of areas (ESP, EAP, EST, EAW, etc.). They love the 'English for' approach in HK and many universities here actually have courses with bizarre titles such as 'English for Communication', as if one does not imply/entail the other.

I have to say that pay is very, very low, and neither housing nor an allowance is provided any more. Standard pay now is between HK$20,000 and HK$25,000 (whereas fifteen years ago the minimum was around HK$35,000 or HK$40,000), and contracts can be as short as ten months (maximum two years). Most instructor level posts now go to what are essentially local kids who still live at home with their parents and so do not have many outgoings, and/or middle-aged women who are married to full professors (or airline pilots) and who are simply looking for something to do.

I'm afraid to say that your experience and qualifications might not really cut the mustard, as it were, and being a native speaker won't really help as unis in HK now seem to actually prefer non-native speakers of English, or perhaps that is simply as no native speakers apply for the posts anymore.

Also, students at unis in HK are not adults; they are still kids in every possible sense of the term. It is not like going to uni in the West! The vast majority of uni students in HK stay at home during their studies. 'University' in HK is simply an extension of secondary school.

[B0RGNINE]

Thanks for your reply. Sobering description, and unfortunate to hear. I was hoping for a situation that would be better than what's found at my college in Yokohama, which could be called, "English for the Sake of Appearances." There is no assessment (no *real* assessment anyway) and therefore no accountability. If you'd like a few uni English credits, register, come to class *most* of the time, and stay conscious, or appear to, and you'll pass. However, to be fair, I can't claim my experience is universal as I've only taught at one college here.

I was hoping HK was going to be a bit more grown up.

Are there any other opportunities to teach adults in HK I might consider?

[Marcoregano]

I find myself in the unusual position of agreeing with Bogey. However, there are other adult-teaching jobs here at the university 'schools of continuing education' - each university has one. The biggest is HKU's School of Profesional and Continuing Education, usually referred to as SPACE. Most of the students on these courses are real working adults, mostly in their 20s and 30s. Classes are usually 3 hours long and take place in the evenings after work and at weekends. The pay is quite reasonable, usually 450-500 HK per hour. How much you take home at the end of the month obviously depends on how many classes you have. Many such teachers will teach classes for more than one school, and/or also do some private tuition, IELTS examining, and so on, to make up a decent-ish salary of say 35-40,000HK per month.

[B0RGNINE]

Marco,

Thanks for your input. You guys sound like regulars who don't usually agree. So that you agree here may be a telling factor. From what little you've told me, these sound like good enough gigs. Have you taught these classes yourself?

Also, do my qualifications and experience seem enough for these positions?

Again, thanks.

[Marcoregano]