Job Discussion Forums

kimberlyandkeith · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 3

Hi!

I'm Kimberly, and I'm a 24 yr old living in Texas at the moment.

My husband is a 25 year old teacher here in the US. He has his bachelor's degree in journalism and completed an alternative certification program following graduation for his teaching license. He is a certified teacher in the state of Texas. He has taught 3rd grade for 3 years now at a public school in the Dallas, Texas area.

Next January, we are considering having him apply for the PNET program. As we understand the program guidelines, he either needs to complete a TEFL cert before applying or complete it in the first 12 months of employment.

So my first question is:
1. Would it be of great benefit for him to obtain his TEFL cert before he applies?

More questions Smile

2. We have a 16 month old daughter and I'm due in August with our 2nd... so assuming an August 2005 move to HK we would have a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 year old. We've lived in HK before and know the city well, so we're not concerned with baby-friendliness. But we are concerned with a potential employer's views on an employee with children and a spouse. Do employers care one way or the other?

3. It seems like there is really no choice in where you are placed as far as schools are concerned. Would it be worthwhile to get a list of schools in areas we like and contact them via phone after he makes his application to the program? Would he need to wait until his intervew?

I realize I'm making wide assumptions that he would both qualify and get hired, but I'm a positive thinker Smile

Thanks for your thoughts! And Joanna, please don't post your little doodie about your issues. I've read it a few million times and I'm just not too interested in reading it again! Thanks so much!

Kimberly in Texas

Champion...the wonderdog · Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 25

From what I've heard, the TEFL course that the EMB makes the PNETS do, is at the British Council and costs well over $10,000 of your own money. I don't know why $26,000 is sticking in my head, but that could be the amount of the course.

PNETs are on a different scale to Secondary NETs, therefore they are paid less.

Whatever your qualification, you must have all references, all statements of service, stamped, signed and dated otherwise your experience/qualifications won't be recognised.

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

"From what I've heard, the TEFL course that the EMB makes the PNETS do, is at the British Council and costs well over $10,000 of your own money. I don't know why $26,000 is sticking in my head, but that could be the amount of the course."

Champion you are wrong! You need a tesol diploma for secondary. Primary would only require a certificate. Get it before you come because you will have it already and are more likley to be hired.

"PNETs are on a different scale to Secondary NETs, therefore they are paid less."

Champion you are wrong again!

The scale is the same. Primary maxes out at a certain point but Seconadry allows you to go five more points up the scale. You must be at least in the field for 12 years or so (close to there i'm sure) for it to matter.

Hmmm, only know a few Americans on the scheme though. A very small intake as I remember. Don't let that stop you from applying, though.

Good Luck

kimberlyandkeith · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 3

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

I'm not sure about that.

Australia is huge here. Then, there is the Canadian-Chinese connection. Don't forget the nostalagic UK!

That may be your answer.

(probably a better chance if you moved back to HK)

AndyinHK · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 98

Last time I checked the EMB didn't recruit in America. You will probably need to fly to Toronto to interview. But when you interview, please don't talk like George W. Bush! Wink

kimberlyandkeith · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 3

Champion...the wonderdog · Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 25

Actually, F_U, I don't believe that I am wrong.

There is one pay scale for PNETs and one for SETs and please explain why so many PNETs were very upset when the EMB made them do a TEFL/TESOL course with the British Council and required them to fund the course themselves?

BTW, I do agree that PNETs have an earlier cut off point than SETs. Is that because they're on a different pay scale?

Geez, you do like to split hairs don't you?

Ludwig · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 10:06 am Post subject:

'Champion...the wonderdog', you write that you "don't believe" that you are "wrong".

Unfortunately, it does not really matter that much what, exactly, you believe.

You ask whether it is perhaps that case that PNETs "have an earlier cut off point than SETs" as a result of their being on different pay scales.

No; it is because the PNETs have an earlier cut off point.

You are obviously not - and obviously never have been - employed by the EMB. If you were, or ever had, you would know quite well that not only do PNETs and SNETs indeed share 'the same pay scale', but it is actually the same pay scale that everyone in the very system is on, including the principals. I am at this very moment looking at such a pay scale from my days as a NET. Classroom assistant Grade 4 receives $10,505 per month, Principal Grade 1 receives, on the same point scale, some $88,425 per month.

You ask for it to be explained as to why "so many PNETs were very upset when the EMB made them do a TEFL/TESOL course with the British Council and required them to fund the course themselves". It is not clear, however, what possible bearing and potential impact this could possibly possess for the issue of pay scales. Are you perhaps suggesting that some PNETs being "very upset" proved beyond doubt that there existed two distinct pay scales?

Firstly, it is a CELTA course which is offered at the British Council in HK, and it is this ($25,000) course that the PNETs are required to do (if they do not already possess a recognised qualification). (This amount, though a tidy sum, is next to nothing for a EMB NET in HK; one month's salary in return for another 23 such payments.) I can only assume that - if indeed they were so upset - then this would be due to their claiming that it was not made fully clear to them that, if a candidate does not have a TEFL-related certificate when employed as a NET by the EMB, then such a course must be undertaken in the first year of the two-year contract in their own time at their own expense.

Indeed, it becomes written into the contract that such a course must be successfully undertaken in order to progress to the second year of the two-year contract. I say 'claim' above as this requirement is stated quite openly on all germane paperwork (where it is also outlined as to what qualifies as a 'TEFL' certificate in the eyes of the EMB).

It is usually the case that a TEFL-like certificate possessed by a candidate does not meet the EMB's requirements as regards the presence and number of (observed) teaching hours in the course. This, in fact, was true in my case. I completed both the (compulsory) CELTA and I also undertook the YL extension 'off my own back' (both of which, I should say, were excellent examples of the high standards that can be met within TEFL).

AndyinHK · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 98

Well I am not sure about it.

AndyinHK · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 98

hongkonger,

Are you in the NET scheme? What do you think about it, in general?

Champion...the wonderdog · Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 25

You are obviously not - and obviously never have been - employed by the EMB.

Well, I am a NET (of four years) and I'm jolly glad to be leaving.

Thrilled to be leaving with my gratuity intact and a nifty reference.