Job Discussion Forums

[cmilas]

This is my first post to this forum. I have read through many of the posts here and found them to be quite informative. I was wondering if some of the knowledgeable people here could help me with my situation.

I will be moving back to Hong Kong within the next 3 years, and I am seriously considering becoming a PNET at that time. I would like some advice as to what I can do during this time to improve my chances of becoming a PNET given that I am currently working full time at a non-teaching job. First, some background information about me:

1. I am an American Gweilo (31 yrs. old) married to a Hong Kong woman. I will be able to get a dependent visa and work in HK without a problem.

2. I have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Masters degree in Business.

3. I enjoy working with children and I would like to switch to teaching.

4. I do not have any formal teaching experience or training yet.

5. My wife and I currently reside in the U.S.A.

My current plan of action is to obtain a CELTA teaching certificate and a Master's degree in TESOL from a local University. My questions are:

1. Will a MA TESOL degree help me to get a PNET job? Is it regarded as being similar to a PGDE? Will this degree provide me with teaching qualifications in the eyes of HK schools?

2. Is there a way of obtaining a PGDE or equivalent qualification while working full time in the U.S.A.?

3. Are there any other qualifications I can obtain besides the two listed above that will improve my chances of landing a NET job?

4. Would 1-2 years of teaching in other Asian countries greatly help my chances of being a NET?

5. Is there anything else that I can do over this period of time in order to improve my teaching credentials in the eyes of HK teaching officials?

6. I saw some posts stating that it is rare to see an American teaching as a NET in HK. Why is that? Is there an inherent bias against Americans?

7. Apart from a NET position, are there any other decent teaching jobs that could be a suitable match for me?

Thank you in advance for any information that you can provide.

[hkteach]

I can't answer many of your questions, but others will probably be able to help.
What you need to understand is that with a degree in any subject + a TEFL (masters or diploma will be regarded as the same - you won't get any higher salary for masters than you would for a diploma)
You also need to know that being a PNET will quite possibly require you to teach year 1 &2 - that's the EMB's recommendation to schools (although like every other EMB 'recommendation' or 'guidelilne' the schools please themselves and you may be teaching years 5 & 6 if that's what the school wants you to do).
Wherever age range you teach, you will be expected to know about the teaching of English - particularly how to teach reading, as this is a priority for schools. If you don't already know how to do this, then this would be a good thing to study.
You may also be required to provide training sessions for the staff (probably reading or writing) as this is part of a PNET's job description. However, schools expectations on this issue vary widely. I know some NETs who are expected to do a lot of this, others who volunteer and schools don't want it. I'm in the latter category - although I can provide training in a number of areas, offers have never been taken up - everyone's 'too busy'.
If you can offer something else, such as drama or other artistic pursuits, you may be in demand as lots of schools put on concerts and expect their NET to be able to organise either the school play, English songs or recitations or some other component of the performance.

[JZer]

[cmilas]

A Gweilo is the Hong Kong term for a white caucasian male. It literally means "Ghost Man". So when someone from Hong Kong says Gweilo around you, they're probably talking about you. But the term has no negative connotation. At least that's what my wife says.

[11:59]

Well, if 'gweilo' does not have any negative connotations then nor does 'chink', 'slope', or 'gook'.