Job Discussion Forums

nickole28 · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

Hi people!!

I am new to this whole thing. i am taking my tesol soon and hopefully it will do me some good.

i was considering working in 3 places as a starter: 1) hong kong being oen of my first choices

i've read a whole bunch of negativity when it comes to working in hong kong. any suggestions or comments on this?

also i heard that jobs in hong kong pay ALOT of $$$ per month such as 40,000 HK. is this something to look out for in a BAD placement?

what does the average person make montly and how much of it goes to rent and bills?

thanks for any advice!!!

dandan · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 183 Location: Hong Kong

I'm just off to buy some marshmallows to toast on the flames. Hell, I reckon I'll be able to roast a pig on this one.

jenny-pnet · Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Posts: 59

Well, I could be wrong but it looks up bit suspicious to me. As though someone's trying to stir up a bit of entertainment again. Just when the atmosphere seemed to be getting a bit civil for a while. Here we go again. By the way, whatever happened to Freddie?

Ludwig · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 1:14 pm Post subject:

Good luck with your other two choices.

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

I think she's serious. After all when people "do tesol" the sky is the limit.
I met a girl here (Mainland) who only has a College Diploma but said she scoffed at an offer of 20K in Hong Kong..Excuse me I said: you don't have a Uni degree but think 2500US a month is bad?

Of course she had no such offer- point is that people have crazy ideas...

To the OP (if there is one.) I have no idea about HK salaries..They usually don't state salary in ads I have seen and I have not really looked into it.

But are you REALLY asking if over 5000 US dollars a month is a bad offer? Of course it is...
(The HK forum is scream sometimes.)

Eunoia · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 16

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

I agree with the last statement. Starting salaries for qualified, expereinced teachers will be 25,000 - 30,000.(international schools/NET scheme) If you are not a qualified teacher (B.Ed./teachers certificate) you will make about 15000- if you are hired by a local school directly. (I was offered 18000 by a local school and I am qualified) The only way you will make that much is if you have been teaching for a few years in that school..... depends on the school as well. Some kindergartens, for example, pay way more than others: ie: Deborah salary: 12000 plus accomodation....St. Catherines is 20000ish (no accomodation, i think) its all relative.

relve · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

Like you say, it's all relative, so is cost of living very expensive in Hong Kong in general? How far does your salary get you? Good lifestyle?

Relves

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

Well, it is the most expensive city in the world for real estate (im sure people will come back with arguments...) and many other things. It's expensive. But you make good money and the tax is minimal... I used to make what would be deemed a low salary in Hong Kong, yet I managed to send half of it home and still live the lifestyle that I wanted. Its more than enough to do whatever you want here... travel included.

relve · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

Ok, this may be slightly off the point, but would it ever be possible to get into something other than teaching once in Hong Kong? Or for that matter anywhere? Have you ever heard of anyone doing it/done it?

And you say you were on a low salary - is that in Hong Kong terms or TEFL Hong Kong terms?

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

Salaries depend on what you are doing.... yes you can get a job once you are here. I have alot of friends who work in other professions here. Depending on your years of experience..I have friends making 150000HKD/month...so its possible.

relve · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

Hi hkgirl,

thank v. much for your response. Just another quick question and sorry to bug - but what are your friends in those other jobs doing and what experience are you talking about, sorry i'm not asking for case studies! - it's just that i am about to do CELTA but am really in 2 minds as thinking about the future i just want to make sure i have some options open...

cheers, Relve

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

Well, what is your degree in? What do you have experience in.... I mean, asking what their jobs are...its just like home....everything from stylists for furniture companies to investment bankers... check out www.scmp.com and go to the classified post section near the bottom right hand side. You will find all of the job listings for Hk. If you are only planning to continue teaching then why get a CELTA, its expensive and time consuming. Get a job in the feild you want and then come...thats my suggestion. If you want to come and teach, its ok money and the holidays are great...

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

meant to say...if you are NOT planning to teach in HK then dont get a CELTA! Sorry!

relve · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

My degree is in Politics and Sociology and i have been working in admin/as a PA purely to get money to go and do other stuff - i.e did a language course in Spain for 6 months, PA in London then went to Mexico and volunteered for a year. (am also playing with idea of going back to Mexico to teach but am leaning more towards Asia now as it seems there is more opportunity, well, money, and according to you work opps outside of teaching). This was all in pursuit of a career in Aid/NGO work etc but have gone off that now. I'm more just worried about future opps in case i don't find teaching fulfilling etc I have no ties here in London, so i see my next move as make or break, and as much as i hate the rat-race, am also scared of leaving it! So just want to see what my options could be if i did go to Hong Kong or Asia. Thanks v. much hkgirlo, i really appreciate this, you are v. helpful and knowledgeable. I take it language is not a problem then?