Job Discussion Forums

[jezebel]

hey,

i apologize for asking a really redundant question, but it's hard to glean the basics from the postings on the forum - and this may help answer the question for other newbies like myself.

Is it possible to find an english teaching job in hong kong if you do not have a BEd or celta or tesol?

If a person is interested in teaching in HK, but only has informal teaching experience (tutoring, mentoring, etc) what is the easiest way to get a position in HK? Get a certificate like TESOL/CELTA or even TEFL? Do a BEd? Or teach for a year somewhere else (Japan, Korea, China, etc?) and then apply to HK?

Maybe this would also be a good time to address my assumptions about HK. I'd really like to teach on the island because it is the only place that seems to combine all the elements I'd like to have - the urban/lifestyle experience of teaching in Japan, with the Chinese culture & language learning opportunities that I could see a use for in my future. Is that a fair assumption? Am I ignoring other locations that would be just as good for meeting both goals?

[Liam]

Is it possible to find an english teaching job in hong kong if you do not have a BEd or celta or tesol?

Yes, they may not be extravagently paid or legal, but there are loads of language centres that will take you on. Once you get to know HK and work a few places you can start to juggle your time and earn a bit more.

If a person is interested in teaching in HK, but only has informal teaching experience (tutoring, mentoring, etc) what is the easiest way to get a position in HK?

Probably just come here on an extended holiday and do some serious job hunting. www.classifiedpost.com will have loads of jobs that will interview you within a day or two. The jobs that will interview you from abroad may want more qualifications.

Get a certificate like TESOL/CELTA or even TEFL? Do a BEd? Or teach for a year somewhere else (Japan, Korea, China, etc?) and then apply to HK?

That's probably your best bet if you see coming here as a more long term thing.

I'd really like to teach on the island because it is the only place that seems to combine all the elements I'd like to have - the urban/lifestyle experience of teaching in Japan, with the Chinese culture & language learning opportunities that I could see a use for in my future. Is that a fair assumption?

You may want to think about living on HK Island if that's what you're after, but don't rule out working elsewhere in HK. HK is a small place with great transport.

Do you have friends here? Finding a place to stay can be pricey and one thing that makes coming here for the first time a bit daunting. Sort out a cheap place to stay and then just work hard. T'is my advice.

[Zero Hero]

Hong Kong is not an island. The SAR of HK comprises Hong Kong Island, a few other islands, many smaller islands, Kowloon and the N.T.s, the latter two of which border with Mainland China (which, incidentally, is where it would be more realistic for you to search for employment).

[Liam]

"Hong Kong is not an island"

That was productive, Zero. There is an island in Hong Kong called... HONG KONG ISLAND. Heard of it? Perhaps that's where the OP was refering to when he/she wrote "the island". I know I refer to HK Island as 'the island' when I'm talking about it. Perhaps you're so happy with your bees and your roof up there in Sai Kung that what goes on a little further south doesn't cross your mind.

The Mainland "would be more realistic for you to search for employment"

Maybe, but he/she's not asking about the mainland but about HONG KONG.

Stop bitterly sending people to the mainland and telling them that Hong Kong is only for those with linguistic-astro-physic Phds.

[prplfairy]

People keep asking questions like this even though it has been answered about 5 billion times. Without proper qualifications or experience you will find it difficult but not impossible to find a job. Hong Kong is not desperate for any schmuck that can speak English so no one is guaranteed anything. With those qualifications you would get some learning center interviews but whether or not you get a job has to with the individual circumstances of the school and how well you sell yourself-cv, interviewing skills, etc. So please people stop asking questions as if we have some crystal ball. Just like in any field if you have minimum qualifications you will be fighting it out for jobs at the low end. Whether or not you get one is up to you.

BTW, seeing as that Hong Kong Island is the center of Hong Kong I think it is quite natural to refer to is as the island without too much confusion.

[jezebel]

Thanks for the input.. that was what I was meaning when I said "the island".. as in, Hong Kong island.

Are there any other places where english-speaking foreigners can find short-term (ie, 1-2 years) employment in Hong Kong? That one website listed above is a lead I'll look into, but are there other websites you're aware of?

Thanks again!

[jezebel]

Oh yeah.. Something else I was thinking about was teaching medical english. I know there's a TEFL market for this in Asia in general. Anyone heard of any specific HK market for medical/scientific english teaching (eg, tutoring doctors or scientists, or even editing medical documents)?

Would it be difficult to find a work visa to get into something not directly related to the PNET scheme?

[Roger]

Quite frankly, the OP has next to zero chances of finding a job in HK, island or hinterland. It is preposterous to refer him or her to the classifieds. Every ad is read by hundreds of interested applicants, and dozens at least do apply, usually well-documented candidates with residency rights.

Few training centres take illegal immigrants on board. And living in HK for a protracted period will expose him to the heightened interest from the Immigration Department; once he crosses the border they might ask him awkward questions. Upon returning to the HK border, he might be given a reduced period of sojourn.
Put your idea of working in HK out of your mind, man! Why the heck does it have to be HK???

[Roger]

Quite frankly, the OP has next to zero chances of finding a job in HK, island or hinterland. It is preposterous to refer him or her to the classifieds. Every ad is read by hundreds of interested applicants, and dozens at least do apply, usually well-documented candidates with residency rights.

Few training centres take illegal immigrants on board. And living in HK for a protracted period will expose him to the heightened interest from the Immigration Department; once he crosses the border they might ask him awkward questions. Upon returning to the HK border, he might be given a reduced period of sojourn.
Put your idea of working in HK out of your mind, man! Why the heck does it have to be HK???

[Liam]

"Quite frankly, the OP has next to zero chances of finding a job in HK, island or hinterland."

This is simply not true.

"It is preposterous to refer him or her to the classifieds."

No it's not.

"Every ad is read by hundreds of interested applicants, and dozens at least do apply, usually well-documented candidates with residency rights."

This is also not true. I've know people apply for jobs and be given them the same day by applying to the smaller (yes, illegal) adverts on www.classifiedpost.com. I knew a laborer who walked into a centre with no experience and taught his first conversational class that afternoon. I've known many people live in HK for much longer than their visas allowed, simply by doing a 'visa run' to Macau, Shenzen or Thailand.

I know it's difficult to get set up with a great legal job without the right qualifications but it is very easy to earn enough money to get by (and no, not JUST get by) teaching all over Hong Kong. I also know that it's not the right thing to do to promote working illegally (this is not what I'm trying to do) but I feel that the image of HK being an impossibe place to find work is just not real.

Roger and Zero, I can't help but feel you're too dismissive of people wanting to come to HK. People expecting to walk straight off the plane and into a great job, yes, this is unrealistic. But, no, HK is not locked to people who may not be greatly qualified. As prplfairy says, it's a lot down to the individual, the CV and how they are presented.

[Zero Hero]

[Zero Hero]

[shmeagain]

What ZH says is true, but the fact is that many people with a bit of guts and hustling skills take the leap and end up with a legal, steady job - degree or certification not included, although one or the other is preferable.

Then again, my guess is that ZH and Liam don't move in the same circles. I doubt anyone says "phone Jacky from XYZ centre, she'll set you up no problem" at the University cocktail functions.

Then again if you go out in Wanchai (not that you do Liam, but I do every now and then ) you're likely to meet these people. Then again, if you go out in Sai Kung you'll probably meet a lot more...

So why not head down to Extreme one Saturday night ZH (leave the bowtie at home) and see how the bottom feeders of the HK (the place) ESL world live?

To the OP: If you come across like Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society and you're willing to learn as you go along without expecting too much in return - you'll do fine.

If you think it's going to be like Taiwan or China with people falling all over themselves to employ you - then you need to change your mindset, but I guess you've figured that out by now.

[shmeagain]

What's wrong with c-o-c-k-t-a-i-l?

It got bleeped out.

Oh well... University Gin and Tonics with splash of lime functions.

On this point ZH - I am definitely envious of your job, so no need to flame me for telling it how I think it is.

[Ricci]

Shmeagain,

Yeah, that's a great idea, I'd love to get ZH down to Wanchai for a night on the "tahn."

Come on ZH, I'll dress up for you. I'll even buy you a drink? PAcket of crisps? Sit on your knee?

Is it a date?

Tell ya what, I'll shave my legs especially.