Job Discussion Forums

talo · Joined: 26 Jun 2011 Posts: 4 Location: New Zealand

I have suddenly found myself high and dry adfter planning to move to Germany with my partner - he pulled out at the last minute. Now I have to go somewhere - and have always wanted to go to Hong Kong to teach. About me:

Aussie / Kiwi

Ba (Film studies and English)
Dip. ed - secondary (Major ESL, Minor English]
Master of Applied Linguistics (TESOL)
Ex-IELTS examiner - could maybe teach preparation

Worked for over 5 years full time as tutor to Adult Migrant English students and ELICOS students in Australia

Over 4 years teaching experience at the Adult Migrant English Program in Australia

My problem is - I need to get a job as soon as possible. I don't have any experience teaching high school (except on prac) and I LOVE teaching adults. Are ALL the good jobs in HK for kindergarten / school kids? I really don't know what to expect working in Hong Kong either....

I have money to get started, and am thinking of going over for a holiday in a few weeks to check things out. But really want to get a job by September.

I would REALLY appreciate any advice!

sistercream · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 497 Location: Pearl River Delta

The best way to get a job in HK is to come on over and make sure that potential employers can meet you face to face.

For the first year you quite possibly won't have your ideal job, but with your qualifications and experience you won't have any problem getting A job that will get you a working visa.

Pay and conditions at "real" schools tend to be better than those at language centres, but if you get in at one of the more reputable places such as Wall Street Institute or HK Institute of Languages things wouldn't be too dire and you would be (or could choose to be) teaching adults.

Another possibility is that some corporations have in-house English teachers (AFAIK not so many in HK these days, but I've seen quite a few ads from the big new casino resorts in Macau).

Good places to start looking at what's on offer arejobsdb.com and the classifieds on scmp.com.

ozman · Joined: 12 Jun 2004 Posts: 133 Location: HONG KONG

the advice above is good - you should just come over.

regarding the level to teach - i think it depends on WHY you want to come to HK. If you are after making some real MONEY then you should join the NET scheme. You have enough qualifications. You can't get better money elsewhere.

you'd only get half the salary at some of these language centres.

if you put in your application fast and come over, you'd get something. a lot of schools are looking for NETS starting date mid august.

talo · Joined: 26 Jun 2011 Posts: 4 Location: New Zealand

Thanks for the information - I'll look into the NET schome. It would be good to earn some proper moeny - I have a bit of starting-off money, but it would be good to save something. I'm interested in Hong Kong because I've heard that teachers can make reasonable money, but also for many other reasons.

If I just turn up, is it best to send my resume over to schools first, or just turn up at centres? I'm not quite sure of the best way to go about it. Mostly I just want to get a feel for the place, but if I can get my toes in the door that way, it would be great.

I'll also check out the adult schools too - thanks - I have something to think about now.

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

ozman · Joined: 12 Jun 2004 Posts: 133 Location: HONG KONG

agree. people don't come here for the fresh air, architecture, friendly people etc. People are here for the money. No one would choose to live in such humidity and with such crowds and in shoeboxes unless there was adequate compensation.

with your qualifications, you can get a secondary EDB NET job; top of the scale is $48,000+ a month, plus there is a 6% increase which will bring base salary up to $51,000+. On top of that the housing allowance has gone up. You can't earn this money in the middle east.

Don't waste your time with these language centres. Wall Street, for example pay peanuts, hence they can't get people.

Downlod the NET application form at the NET EDB site; get that in, then take it from there.

talo · Joined: 26 Jun 2011 Posts: 4 Location: New Zealand

Thanks Ozman - I only saw your post today - I think the net scheme only recruits until the end of Feb (?) from what I've read - so I'm guessing I could get an application in now to start work later next year, and get myself a crap job until then. I think that's the way I'll go - not too keen on high school, but if I survived teaching feral kids in the Northern Territory of Australia, surely I'd have a chance of surviving in Hong Kong...

Thanks again!