Job Discussion Forums

Smokey Dando · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 19 Location: HONG KONG

Elliot - read between the lines brother. It is enough to survive, but it is not enough to live. What are your qualifications? Are you just a backpacker that wants to survive? A guy who has done a year in Korea and thinks he is a teacher? If you are qualified then it is most certainly not enough.

You must also consider the amount of hours you will have to work to get that pathetic salary. Is it a 6 day week? What about holidays?

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

Smokey Dando · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 19 Location: HONG KONG

Yep I think you are right Oxi. Sounds like a wind-up artist to me. Also, if you are getting accommodation as part of your package it is most certainly not free. It is part of your total remuneration. Not to mention it may be shared, small, unlivable or all of the aforementioned.

I think anyone considering a move to HK can not get a realistic idea of salaries unless they compare the package to what others with similar experience and qualifications are making in HK (not Korea, not the Mainland, not anywhere else at all). You may be able to tolerate the NET at your school making more for a little while but eventually it will do your head in.

For example, I work at a vocational college. I'm making about $36K + private accomodation. We had a young guy from the UK doing language activities and the like with us and he was making about $15K with no extras. This salary is probably in line with his experience and qualifications but it did not allow him to live any kind of expatriate lifestyle that many of us take for granted. Hong Kong is a noisy and difficult place to live and work in. In my opinion if you are not being rewarded financially then there is simply no reason to be here.

elliot_spencer · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 495

Let's just get 1 thing straight, I am not messing about.

I have a degree in TESOL and also a CELTA. I have a job offer with HKD Education and accommodation is free for teachers. My plan is to work with them for a year and then move to a NET or PNET position. I am working in Italy and getting on the scheme from here is difficult.

So, if you still don't believe me provide me with an email addy and I'll gladly forward a copy of my documents to you.

So, seriously, is 13,000HK$ really not enough?? How do the HKers live on that sorta money.. like I said, I have no debts so my salary will be just spending money

Thanks

powerrose · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Shenzhen, China

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

elliot_spencer · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 495

OK. thanks for all your replies. Apart from the NET scheme and the British council, I can see most langauge schools pay around 13,000HK$. If one was to stay working with language schools is this really the salary expectations

Thanks

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

Just wondering... I have a BA in Business, a Tesol cert, and a Celta. 1 year experience in Kinder, and 13 years working in business, 33 years old. If I avoided Kinder jobs, what sort of income should I be looking for? Assume that I would have to sort my own accommodation.

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

Wouldn't it have been just as easy to give a figure than ask me to use the search function.

Because most incidences are people with a B'Ed or a Masters in Ed, or 4 years experience etc. I have used the search function a number of times.

kowlooner · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 230 Location: HK, BCC (former)

To answer your question a bit more directly, you'll be going in as a teacher with one year's teaching experience, and since it was kindy work you were doing, it may or may not be considered relevant (especially if you hope to avoid kindy work!). Your other work experience may be considered as a positive on the basis of presumably learning responsibility and good work habits, but otherwise you'll probably be seen as a near-newbie. So, depending on the place, you'll looking at anywhere between $12k and $18-$20k. Doubtful much more. Good luck.

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

Thanks for the reply. Appreciated.

A'Moo · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:02 pm Post subject:

Jospeh · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 11

I'm back.

As in, back to this thread and back to Hong Kong for another year. I'm still in two minds as to how I feel about the place, but I wanted to stay because I have friends here (local and expat) and given the current job market, who knows what I would have found back home. The difference - I have a new job (also at a primary school - I'm a NET, but not an EDB NET), a much heavier workload (although the kids don't start full timetable until Tuesday, so I haven't experienced it at full force yet) and a salary that has risen from HK$13k to 30k.

I'm going to save a ton this year! I love my new flat and the area I'm living in - and I'm splitting the $8800 rent with a friend, so I'm only paying $400/month more than I was last year (it's in an old building but is newly renovated; it's unfurnished but we're buying cheapo Ikea and second hand. Just in case people think I'm living in a hovel). I imagine my living costs will go up simply because I know I can afford to splurge, but there isn't that much I felt 'deprived' of last year. I'll probably buy more imported cheese.