Job Discussion Forums

[Mark-O]

From the flavour of recent posts on this forum, Hong Kong employment for Native English Teachers appears to be pretty bleak at present. Isn't this in the lead-up to schools employing NETs for the next academic year? What do you think is the cause for this local 'slump' in NET employment at the moment?

[Freddie_Unbelievable]

"From the flavour of recent posts on this forum, Hong Kong employment for Native English Teachers appears to be pretty bleak at present."

You are wrong!!

There is so much work in HK it is Unbelievable!

I am a NET and keep getting offers. No more work please!!

[AndyinHK]

Freddie, that may be true for you... but you can't speak for everyone.

[SimonBarrett]

Yeah, but what kind of offers Freddie? $18k for 6 day weeks at Wall St or Berlitz? $30k for the creative vacuum of the public school system? If these jobs offered $30-40k and a $15k apartment in mid-levels they might be worth the hassle.

But in reality you get zero respect and a lot of footwork. HK will just leave you tired, dusty and feeling used.

[ChrisRose]

The problem for many of use is;

Not having a B.Ed. or lack of finacial ability to complete B.Ed.

It is a real catch 22.

[AndyinHK]

Hongkonger said:

"As for education, the system is breaking down, and the emphasis has shifted from English as a second language to Chinese as #1 and #2. Also, the emphasis in education is on testing, testing, and more testing."

I couldn't agree with you more. Students are being pushed to learn Mandarin now because as Chinese Nationals Hong Kong people have the opportunity to move to the mainland. In order to survive on the mainland one needs to know Mandarin. Friends have told me that if a Hong Kong Chinese person wants to do business in most areas of the mainland and doesn't speak Mandarin he will be looked down on and will likely loose out to another compatriot who does. Anyway the point is, English seems to be slipping to #3 in the unofficial list.

I wonder how long the government will fund the NET scheme. It was set up to help local teachers learn from experienced overseas English teachers and was always intended to be a temporary scheme. Once the government decides that enough time and money have been spent the program it will either morph into something else or be cut totally.

[AndyinHK]

Hongkonger said:

"As for education, the system is breaking down, and the emphasis has shifted from English as a second language to Chinese as #1 and #2. Also, the emphasis in education is on testing, testing, and more testing."

I couldn't agree with you more. Students are being pushed to learn Mandarin now because as Chinese Nationals Hong Kong people have the opportunity to move to the mainland. In order to survive on the mainland one needs to know Mandarin. Friends have told me that if a Hong Kong Chinese person wants to do business in most areas of the mainland and doesn't speak Mandarin he will be looked down on and will likely loose out to another compatriot who does. Anyway the point is, English seems to be slipping to #3 on the unofficial list.

I wonder how long the government will fund the NET scheme. It was set up to help local teachers learn from experienced overseas English teachers and was always intended to be a temporary scheme. Once the government decides that enough time and money have been spent the program it will either morph into something else or be cut totally.

[Freddie_Unbelievable]

...If these jobs offered $30-40k and a $15k...

The jobs I am talking about excede pay of $50,000K. That's a lot of dirt and dust.


And, Hong Kong is so nice Hongkonger accidently said it twice.

[Freddie_Unbelievable]

Oh yes, freddie does have a weather prediction.

"It will rain and Freddie will like that"

I like the smelling of a flower. Sorta like knowing I do not have to take it anymore and at anytime can leave this building infested rock with a load of cash.

If you do not make 50K per month, why on earth would you be in a place like this!

[Ludwig]

[stillnosheep]

[myesl]