Job Discussion Forums

[curiousW]

Is there a need/market for adult English learners in HK? Any corporate classes? Please advise with regards to teaching this level.

[Roger]

I have done that, and it can be fruitful. Most students I had were very compliant and polite; they tick like Western students - often they ask pertinent questions and discuss things with you.
But you should not overrate the market. There aren't that many potential takers. I once advertised in a Chinese daily, and I got 4 phone enquiries, and one became a student! Then the problem was commuting, so this ended after a realtively short while.
I also taught an employee of a big party in his office. It paid well, and the lessons were regular. Never any cancellation.
I also taught his niece who was still enrolled at an university. I guess he hired me for himself as a kind of favour.
But once a student stops taking lessons, your scramble begins again, and in these economically depressed times it is not a viable lifestyle!
As an alternative, I suggest you try to find weekend work in Shenzhen! Pay is lower (maybe half of what HK pays), but more plentiful! Get a hotel room for under 200 RMB (the Heping Hotel, for example, near the customs house, on Heping Lu). Go to an English Club (there used to be one called 'Shangda" in Futian, every Sunday at 3 p.m.). Other clubs exist too, the SHENZHEN DAILY runs a "Salon" twice or thrice a week. You can sometimes pick up work there (some would-be employers make the trek in search of a foreign face).

[once again]

If I understand this right the question is about teaching adults in Hk and not kids. If so, here is my oppinion.

There are lots of opportunites to teach adults in HK. Infact, you will find very few kids signed up with the many business English classes here. Also, at many of the private schools there is a lot of work teaching adults. It doesn't need to be done privately. When I was working at a private language centre I would say that 60% of my students were adults. Adults need proof reading for their work stuff, business degrees, etc. etc.
It is a very very big market here and one that can be very well paid.

[curiousW]

Dear once again,

Thanks for the info. Could you please email me [email protected] any suggested places to apply or how to go about exploring these opportunities?

Thank you

[once again]

There are many such institutions in HK. One of the leading companies is Language Key, which can be reached at Language Key.com. But there are many many. New Horizona is a company I just heard of and they are offering good money and for running good courses.