Job Discussion Forums

BeckyBen · Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 22

I wonder if anyone can help tell me the merits/disadvantages of working for an ESF school as Primary Classroom Teacher over those of working as a NET.
If you could choose one, which one would it be?
Has anyone done both?

skittles · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 13

catbells · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 11 Location: UK

ESF

English Schools Foundation

Smoog · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 137 Location: Hong Kong

AFAIK, ESF means lot more work, but higher pay. Also, you've doing proper Primary school teaching - as in you have your own class. As opposed to PNET where you see each class twice a week for 30-40 minutes a time (not counting disruptions).
And are expected to improve their english to native-speaker level within that time.

BeckyBen · Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 22

Oh well, just had a video conference interview with ESF, what a bizarre experience. Felt very strange sat in a room by myself talking to a TV screen, couldn't get any kind of rapport or feeling for the interviewers, no handshakes, didn't feel I made a good impression.
I think it just has to go down in the books as an experience and let the wait continue..

Horizontal Hero · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:00 pm Post subject:

[quote="Smoog"]AFAIK, ESF means lot more work, but higher pay. .[/quote

I find this bit of a strange remark. Are working hours so few for a PNET? I've worked in a major international school and as an SNET and found the workload to be similar. Lots more weekend work as a SNET though. I never had to work Sundays in the international school, but worked plenty of Sudays here (and a whole heap of Saturdays). But it depends on your school.

Smoog · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 137 Location: Hong Kong

Well, the PNET contract states that your maximum teaching hours p/week is 14 (24 35minute lessons). Marking is pretty minimal - especially if you're teaching P1-P3 and/or focusing mostly on reading or speaking.

ESF you're teaching as a normal primary school classroom teacher, thus the number of hours would be much higher than 14. Presumably, the marking'd be more and, as it's basically an international school, also be of a much higher and complex level than "It is hot in Summer. I can go swimming."

However the pay is significantly higher. A former PNET I know of snagged himself an ESF teaching position and was on (from memory) ~$13k /month more. Add in the gratuity (which, at 20%, is 5% higher than what you get as a PNET - and is paid annually), and he was effectively getting ~$16000 /month more.