Job Discussion Forums

[pco98]

Hello,

Does anyone have any info on the nature of the written test for PNETs. I'm sure people would be interested to read about this as interviews are coming up.

Kind regards,

Ross

[robsam]

Hi Ross,
I'm surprised no one has replied to your post. I am also applying to NET and my interview is in a few days. I was hoping some veteran NETs or some other applicants to NET this year who have already done the interview would have responded by now. I do know that there are some previous posts on here about the interview so if you go back through the posts you can find some info. It doesn't seem like that difficult of an interview and the "test" is basically a timed writing assignment. It also seems like if you get an interview that you will get a NET job as they are short of teachers and the demand is great.
Anyway, good luck with the interview and maybe we'll meet in HK!
Rob

[dodgee]

Hi Ross and Robsam. Sorry no one replied and I have been a little busy to do so. Now I have some time I will. I had a SNET interview in February. For the written test I had 20 minutes to write about a 200 word speech introducing myself to my new school which highlighted my teaching experience. On the paper it highlighted it was being graded on clarity, structure and neat printing. I was successful in my interview and the test (I am now on the promised slow wait) despite the fact I wrote over 500 words. Good luck with your applications.

[dodgee]

delete double post

[munasa]

I was recruited before the written test was introduced. Some teachers have mentioned being asked to write about how they might approach some aspect of teaching, such as phonics, or to plan an English activities day, or their reason for wanting to teach in HK.

[robsam]

Hey!
I just got back from interview in HK for PNET. I was asked to write 300 words for my essay and given 20 minutes. The topic was something like "Your principal has asked you to write an article for the school newspaper. The article should be about what you will bring to the English program at your school." I wrote quickly and it was a little unorganized and sloppy so I re-wrote it, but ran out of time. I wrote about how I think English learning and teaching in primary school should be fun so as to capture the students' interests and keep them motivated to learn more English. Since I didn't quite finish my essay I sure hope that this part of the interview process doesn't hold much weight. As for the interview I thought I did quite well. There were 2 women conducting the interview, one was a Chinese woman and one was an older caucasian woman. They asked me about why I want to teach English and about my prior teaching experience. (I have been in the jET programme in Japan for almost 3 years now). They also asked me about how I would go about teaching reading to a 1st or 2nd grade class. I described what I woud do: teach new vocabulary, pronunciation, then group reading and individual reading with myself being the model and students repeating after me. Personally, I don't know if teaching 6-7 year olds how to read is very practical though, especially when they are learning English as a second/foreign language and the fact that Chinese is their first language...not the easiest language in the world! It seems to me that vocabulary, pronuncation/phonics and learning simple phrases/sentences is better for such young students. I guess reading is important to the EMB/NET Scheme.
I was told they would let me know within a couple of weeks if I will be hired. I sure hope I get the job because HK seems like a good place to live/work and the salary from NET is generous. From what I can gather, they are pretty desperate for NETs in HK so if an applicant has the experience and qualifications, he/she should definetly get a job. Wish me good luck as I wish all of you who are applying the same!

[dodgee]

Good luck pal. It seems they are quick to give you the all clear on the interview(I found out I was a yes three days after my interview) but I then had to send a whole lot more paperwork and the process has slowed somewhat. I am targetting going in August so it looks like another 'hurry up and wait' situation like when I was awaiting my JET placement.

[studmuffin]

Hi,
I have been reading some messages in this forum and it seems everyone who has an interview for HK Nets is under the impression that once you score an interview, you are guaranteed a job. This did not happen in my case.Last year I flew half way around the world, at my own expense, did the interview( in 20 minutes) and written essay and recevied an email a week later that I was not chosen for the job (was quite surprised). Just a heads up, people, no interview necessarily guarantees a job.

[studmuffin]

Hi,
I have been reading some messages in this forum and it seems everyone who has an interview for HK Nets is under the impression that once you score an interview, you are guaranteed a job. This did not happen in my case.Last year I flew half way around the world, at my own expense, did the interview( in 20 minutes) and written essay and recevied an email a week later that I was not chosen for the job (was quite surprised). Just a heads up, people, no interview necessarily guarantees a job.

[anninhk]

I think it is important that have pointed that out.
A lot of posters seem to think that as there is a shortage of PNET teachers they will get a job. On the PNETs site another person was bemoaning the fact that despite his/her qualifications and experience they were not offered a job.
One qualification that is important is a teaching qualification.
Also I think it is important at the interview to give them what they want and not what you think they should be doing. Obviously the job of a PNET is to introduce more innovative teaching methods but it has to be done on the school's terms despite what the EMB would like to happen.

[catbells]

Just thought I'd bump this thread up even though it started a long while ago.

I have just been given an interview date (end of March) in London. Has anyone had theirs yet? Would appreciate any tips for the Net interview.