Job Discussion Forums

judoka · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 53 Location: North Pole

I am wondering if it is better for me to stay in the US for two more years and get my teachers credential. This is like the PGDE I think. Or go to HK with only some teaching experience.

Honky Nick · Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 113 Location: Hong Kong

Depends how keen you are to get out of the U.S. You could come here and take the first job you can get if you wanted. Then, once you're here, enjoy the lifestyle and try to get a NET job (approach schools directly). You can do a PGDE by distance while working if you want.

I was in a similar position to you when I came over (had worked in Japan, had a BA and TEFL, but no PGDE). I've been here almost 4 years, worked on the NET scheme for 3.5 and done my PGDE in the meantime. I'm glad I didn't wait until I'd done my PGDE to come to HK.

judoka · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 53 Location: North Pole

Do you know if the PDGE gained in HK will be honored in the US so I can teach when getting back to California?

Honky Nick · Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 113 Location: Hong Kong

I think it will be recognised, but I'm not 100% sure. Actually, I did mine through an Australian institution (by distance) and went home during my summer holidays for two periods of teaching practicum (4 and 5 weeks respectively).

I have a friend who has done her PGDE through HKU and she said that it will be recognised in Australia, so I presume the US would recognise it, too. Maybe someone else can help with this. Also, are you able to do a degree through a US institution (by distance)?

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

A quick google search led to the following:

http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl870.pdf

In most states, out-of-state or out-of-country credentials may be accepted providing you pass the state's certification test. Varies from state to state. California always marches to its own drum though.

judoka · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 53 Location: North Pole

Thanks guys. One additional question I have is does it matter if I do a certificate in TEFL first and a teaching credential (PGDE) after? Does the order matter?

And does anyone know about TEFL international? It is advertised a lot of this site and I am thinking about doing this course in Beijing, China next month.

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

The most recognised courses are the ones run by Trinity and Cambridge. Of course, courses run by a university in your home country would also be of an equally high standard.

Susie · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 390 Location: PRC

Are you allowed by HK immigration to come to HK to look for work? I've been told that this is not permitted, although it is not why I came here.

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

I am not sure if it 'officially" permited, but I know of many people who have come here and then found a job and visa sponsorship by an employer.

Romance in Durango · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 4

Technically, it is forbidden. According to the letter of the law, one is not permitted to seek employment whilst on a tourist visa. However, as with so many other 'laws' in HK whether or not this is actually ever enforced is quite a different matter, at least for white Westerners, and I believe this is exactly why many often have to leave the territory by going to grim Shenzhen or plastic Macau and then re-enter HK so as to 'activate' their employment visa. Of course, those from countries such as Nigeria and Nepal (and other real 'foreign foreigners') may encounter slightly stricter enforcement of the rules in this regard.

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

Just wondering, but does anybody know where else in the world it would be legal to look for work on a tourist visa?

The website immihelp.com claims that "persons who want to remain in the United States indefinitely or plan to seek employment cannot be classified as visitors" and thus would not be eligible for a visitor visa. I would imagine that it's not just the USA and HK that have such policies.

Even then, I'm not even sure if it's strictly illegal to do so in HK. According to the Immigration Dept., those on tourist visas aren't allowed to take up employment (or enter a school program or start a business). I'd figure that to "take up employment" would mean to actually start working. But just interviewing and getting a job offer?

Can't comment on the experiences of "white Westerners" versus other "real foreigners" though. Perhaps it's true. Perhaps not. And perhaps it also has to do with the individual situation.

Romance in Durango · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 4

And your point is what, exactly? No one above was criticising the immigration laws and regulations, but rather merely asking questions and/or making comments thereon. Besides, even if posters above were criticising the said regulations, what would be the problem? HK is not beyond reproach or criticism. Also, of what relevance are other countries? All because something happens or does not happen elsewhere in the world does not mean it will or will not be the case in HK. Where else in the world for example do governments award and allocate more 'Band 1' school places to boys than girls as a result of the latter maturing more rapidly (as is the case in HK)? Where else in the world are primary school teachers of a foreign language made to take the same language proficiency test as secondary school cum sixth form college teachers? Where else in the world are all students banded and streamed but then made to follow the same curriculum and sit identical exams? Where else in the world do schools operate under a temporary licence for half a decade and have a supervisor who fills the school board with family and friends and who misappropriates millions of dollars? Where else in the world do they have problems with medium of instruction policies? Singapore certainly does not, nor do Malaysia, Brunei, or Holland, or Sweden, or Finland. HK cannot be compared to other states elsewhere on the planet for the simple reason that HK is simple not normal. It is a bizarre geographical and political oddity. Add to this the fact that the air is all but unbreathable, and that the living conditions are somewhat cramped to say the very least and we soon see why the place can only attract and retain low quality/calibre candidates, for it is only those who are prepared to work in such foul conditions with wholly bizarre policies, practices, and behaviour.

I am also not entirely sure that your assumption that it is not strictly illegal to seek employment whilst on a tourist visa is valid. It is even illegal in HK to take part in charity work without an employment visa/permission from immigration.

Revenant · Mod Team Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 1109

And Durango aka bogey/tinsel etc etc is out the door again.

Some people never learn...

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

fin · Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 7

Hi all,
first post and didn't want to start a new thread.

I would love to move to Hong Kong before Christmas, my brother is based there at the moment. I'm losing my job here in Ireland and currently taking a CELT (Irish equivalent of CELTA, four weeks long etc.) course with a view to moving abroad to teach. I'm in my early 30s, have a degree in English but barely any direct teaching experience (have some youth club work, drama/stage teaching with teens however, if it helps any).

I've been scouring the net and going through the threads here, seems like jobs are few and far between over there. Am I wasting my time trying to find a job there and should I just pursue something in Korea etc. instead? Or if I visited my brother for a few weeks in October/November would I stand a better chance of picking something up by 'being on the ground' over there? I could always move on if my search proved fruitless.

I'm looking for as good a job as possible, like anyone would be, but at the least, what are my chances of getting something basic ($22k a month????) to keep me alive, with some wriggle room?