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victorseto
Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 2 Location: California, USA
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Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:55 am Post subject: teach abroad concerns |
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sorry if this question has been posted...but please help.
I'm currently finishing my bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in education at the University of California, Santa Barbara (USA). I'm looking to take a year off and to teach abroad, espcially in Hong Kong during the next academic year of 07-08. I'm fluent in English and am a male American Born Chinese. I don't have any literal teaching experience, but I've been a teacher's aide for a few months, have been working as a preschool teacher's aide for 4 months, and have had other experiences with mentoring students.
My questions:
what are my chances of teaching abroad in HK?
is it competitive to get a job?
what is my expected salary?
how should i go about to get a job in hk? what are my best options? ie NET program?
what can i do now to prepare?
am i too late to apply?
and please, send me more suggestions and tips. thank you so much |
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skittles
Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 13
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Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:27 am Post subject: |
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well, just want to say that I am not in Hong Kong teaching English now. I have no teaching experience or degree in education or teaching abroad experience, or anything of that sort. So you can take my words with a grain of salt, BUT I have read lots and lots of posts about teaching English abroad, especially in Hong Kong (because I am interested in Hong Kong as well). I don't know how much research you have done, but if teaching in HK has just been a recent interest of yours, here are some random things that I found out:
(by the way, when you say"take a year off", do you mean that you have yet to graduate from university? I haven't read much for non-graduate positions, but if you are still interested in teaching in Hong Kong after you graduate, you might have more opportunities)
I would say that your best bet is to apply for the NET program because you do have the very minimal requirements, which is a university degree (in any subject) and fluency in English. It's just that your pay will be less than others who have more experience or qualifications than you. But I think even the lowest pay is bearable because they give you housing allowance and I would imagine that helps ALOT. But you do have a minor in Education and some classroom experience, so I am guessing that it should be of a little help. I think you can apply year round for NET. But I also read on their website that says the deadline is January 22, 2007, for the 2007-8 school year. I say to just apply ASAP because the application is quite easy, but the selection/recruitment process is very very long.
I have read from an online TEFL site that English teachers in Hong Kong are high in demand but very competitive. I think that the competitiveness has to do with the fact that English is one of the major languages in Hong Kong and is widely used there. Therefore, the expectations are just higher.
From the sites that I read, salary ranges from $12000Hk up to $30000HK, depending on qualifications and experience. EMB/NETs are the only program/position I found that gives good housing allowance for their employees. Some others that I read might subsidize or provide free housing, but you can't choose where you live, who you live with or how many people you live with.
I have emailed several private teaching places (non-NET) and I received a few emails back saying that they require teacher training (with practical classroom experience) and Trinity Certificate in
TESOL, or the Cambridge CELTA. I figured that these private places would be a little more strict. This is the reason why I think NET would be the best starting place for you as they are not as strict.
Also want to add that I read in numerous places that it may be a disadvantage that you are Chinese. Do you look Chinese? I read that they don't prefer Chinese people because parents have this thought that their child should learn English from someone with blond hair and blue eyes. Also, if you can speak or understand Chinese and the students find out, then the students will not speak toyou in English. It is possible to get a position, but it just might be harder. I personally think that this is unfair because I am also an American Born Chinese but fluent in English. It makes me sad to think that I will not get a position just because of the way I look.
Everything that i have written is just based off of the hundreds of posts that I have read, not from personal experience. But I hoped that I have still helped a tiny bit.  |
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anninhk
Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 284
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Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:22 am Post subject: |
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While I agree that there is a preference for people with blond hair and blue eyes it doesn't mean that people who don't fit the stereotype are not employed in the NET scheme - I would think the majority don't. What is more important is a person's qualifications and experience.
If you are just looking at a NET job as an easy way to earn good money then think again.
Being a PNET is more than just being a teacher of English. You also need to be a teacher. The emphasis now is on the teaching of reading and unless you have the requisite ability to teach children how to read then you are going to find the job very difficult, as your local colleagues will look to you for professional development and leadership.
I am not saying don't apply, but if you don't get the job, don't put it down to racial discrimination, rather to a lack of experience. |
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erike
Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 8
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Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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Ann hit the nail on the head. To be effective in the job and in order to do the job effectively you really need to have professional teacher training. That's why what another person mentioned wasn't the full picture. The EMB will only take a person w/ a Degree +TEFL if there are no other candidates available, i.e. a qualified teacher. Not only that you need to commit to a 2 year contract, not just "take a year off"... |
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tannhauser

Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 43 Location: Middle East
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Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:39 pm Post subject: paperwork |
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The employment bureau want copies of everything you have and many times over too. You'll need a TEFL//CELTA - a BA minimum - better to have an MA applied linguistics. It helps to be white and blonde and did I forget to add you need a clear middle of the road type accent. A friend of mine did all this and was left in suspended animation until he got the all clear. To be honest, you're better off working the beat in China for some millionaire as a glorified nanny. |
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victorseto
Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 2 Location: California, USA
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:16 am Post subject: |
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so i'm guessing my chances are very slim of getting into the NET program
are there any other recommendations of places, such as private schools, in which i would have a better chance of teaching abroad.
as far as i'm concerned, money isn't an issue, i just want to be in hk for a year to see my friends and to be able to earn some spending money |
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killarobs
Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 2
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:29 am Post subject: |
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aside from the NET program, there are also other non-emb organizations that offer jobs for native english speaking teachers, and native english teachers. The pay is obviously a lot less, but the time of work is considerably less too. I did this last year when I went back to HK in search of a job related to my degree instead of teaching english, but I ended up teaching kindergarten in the mornings and afternoon enhancement classes/tutoring in the PM. The pay was enough but ofcourse this depends on your living style. If you just want to work and "visit your friends" while you are there, then this might be one of your option.
But ofcourse this is a lot more risky due to the uncertainty of the potential job and pay if you have no place to live. |
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