Job Discussion Forums

[NickSelkirk]

Hi everyone.

I've just landed in HK. I'm looking at finding a language school to study (this is fine I can find this okay), but I'm also ideally looking to flat share with cantonese speakers so I can practice with them.

Most of the rental stuff I see advertised is normally for sharing with other expats.

Anyone have an idea as to the best way to approach this? Do people do this here or is it not really commonly done?

I'm going to walk around Sham Shui Po (where I want to live) tomorrow and have a look at some property agencies if I can find some but I thought I'd ask the friendly community here!

PS: Since I've gotten you to read this much, I thought I might ask another question: Does anyone have any recommended schools in Kowloon/Sham Shui Po region? I have a CertTESOL and have non-language related teaching experience, have education but not a graduate degree so I believe my best bet is to look private.

Thankyou!

[dandan]

Well you're on the right track so far, the best way to find a flat is to go to the area you're interested in and go into the local property agents.

You might find it difficult to find a flat share though as it's not so popular with local people. Most will live with their parents until they can afford a place of their own or with a partner. Some do flatshare of course but it may be difficult to find out about them as most will get together with friends rather than advertising. You probably need to get to know some local people first and you might find out through the grapevine. You probaly need to make an alternative plan in the meantime.

[NickSelkirk]

Well the way things are going it looks like I'm not going to be able to stay here anyway

Seems to be alot harder to get a sponsored visa than I thought.

[poof]

If you want to live with the locals, your best bet is to be employed as a domestic helper! I haven't seen any Westerners doing this job - perhaps it's the low HK$4000 per month that deters them. I do know of a couple of females who got a free homestay in return for teaching English to the kids, but for males, getting a homestay is next to impossible in my experience.

Also, the best work option for learning Cantonese is kindergarten. The kids repeat so many basic phrases that it's impossible not to pick things up from them. I learnt all the toilet expressions from kindy kids, for example! Useful if you're in need of a public loo!

Thirdly, I think a better language to learn in HK is Mandarin. You can generally pick up enough Cantonese while you're working to suffice, but supplemented with Mandarin skills, you'll eventually potentially be more marketable in the wider job field. As soon as you leave the HK area, your Cantonese is worth didly squat.