Job Discussion Forums

[lawlibrarian]

Hi everyone,

I am just beginning to explore the possibility of teaching English overseas on the recommendation of a friend. This site has been very helpful in terms of learning what opportunities might be availalble. Currently, I am a law librarian and adjunct professor of law, teaching legal research at a top-tier law school in New York City. I have a J.D. and and M.L.S. (library science). I have six-years experience teaching legal research at American law schools. However, I have no experience teaching English, and no experience teaching secondary school students. I am particularly interested in Hong Kong, and their net scheme sounds like a possibility. What are the advantages/disadvantages? Will my graduate education help me in the job market? Are there other opportunities/locations to which I would be better suited? Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!

[fluffyhamster]

I rather got the impression from interviewing in the UK for the NET scheme that they would've been unimpressed by anything other than simply having QTS (qualified teacher status for state schools in your home country), and only were interviewing the "dregs" from TESL or TEFL on the off-chance that they might not have got enough suitable "qualified" candidates applying (e.g. some school teachers might've jumped out of the window right in the interview at the possible prospect of not getting much of a reduction in the paperwork); the notion that I or others like me might actually have some "untapped" expertise in teaching English at all didn't seem to occur to them. But by all means apply, because it would be one of the better jobs available to non-(school) teachers, if you got it, and I will admit that I am not entirely sure how much English is a "completely foreign" or "merely second" language in schools in Hong Kong (but the 'N' in NET must surely be implying something).

BTW I was on the JET Programme for 3 years, and there certainly seemed to be a need (or at least a call, probably mainly from some parents!) for native English speakers (not necessarily teachers by any definition of the word) in Japan at least.

[Anda]

. You sound like you have a teaching degree and are resisted as a teacher and in which case you can consider international schools in most locations / countries

The other thing is to consider teaching what you know at a university, college or school that employs foreign teachers, Example:


The University of Hong KongIncludes information on the university and links to departmental websites, employment information, prospectus and information on student activities, ...
www.hku.hk/ - 25k - Cached - Similar pages
Study Programmes & Admissions
Faculties & Departments
Portal
Students Facilities
Maps
Staff
About HKU
More results from hku.hk �


The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of LawAsia's premier center for legal education and research.
www.hku.hk/law/ - 7k - Cached - Similar pages

List of international schools in Hong Kong - Wikipedia, the free ...List of international schools in Hong Kong ... California School � Concordia International School � Hong Kong International School � Hong Kong Japanese ...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_schools_in_Hong_Kong


................................................................

[fluffyhamster]

[Anda]

I know the difference between Universities and International Schools on requirements that is why I put both down. However I also know that many (not all) international schools would consider someone with such a background here in China.

[Glenski]

Have you considered teaching business English or some form of ESP?

[fluffyhamster]

I can see how the OP might land a job in a university in HK, but even if he did manage to wangle his way into some international school, I'd've thought he'd still feel a bit at sea (do students at that age study law LOL); granted though, that might not be as long a shot as the NET scheme.

[Anda]

I went for a job in Papua New Guinea teaching Russian Helicopter crews English. I ended up teaching Aircraft Engineering to Local apprentices and I did it successfully. The trick is to see yourself as a study facilitator. I have also taught for 5 years in the EPIK program in South Korea.

Currently I teach at a teacher training college in China. I don't see any big problem in teaching English as it isn't rocket science. The biggest problem is to make your teaching method interesting but at the same time get your student�s exam marks up

I have had friends teach in the NET program when the program was in its hay days. Normally they have you teaching at two schools. NET as a rule wants its money worth out of their teachers; so don�t expect a holiday.

EMB - Recruitment for Secondary NETNET Administration Team, Education and Manpower Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Room 1321, 13th floor Wu Chung House, ...

http://emb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeid=1301&langno=1

EMB - Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) SchemeEducation and Manpower Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special ... Recruitment for Regional NET Coordinator (Closing Date: 29 April 2006, Saturday) ...

http://emb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeid=262&langno=1


http://www.efl-law.com/HongKong.php


Some useful websites for NETs and potential NETs

EMB Website with info for NETs:
http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?langno=1&nodeID=262

Guide for new NETs:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/NET_Teacher_Survival_Guide

NESTA Website
www.nesta.com.hk

PNET website with lots of good links
www.hkpnets.org

Living in HK website
www.west-web.net/pnet/living_in_hk.htm

[fluffyhamster]

[Anda]

Dear Fluffyhamster,

A study facilitator say for what I did in PMG where I worked for a branch of the Squire Group of companies tells the company administration that he wants some extra work to which they first off ask to set up site safety course. After that I asked for more to which they said jokingly that they needed to have someone teach Aircraft Engineering to which I said great.

I then went to Melbourne Australia where I got all the standard course books. But I started getting basic instructional videos for the US air force and other places in the US that sold basic instructional videos. I also got detailed drawings for the aircraft that they were working on. Also I got samples of the question that they would be asked in the tests with sample answers. I taught them how to lay out answers in tests. I obtained more basic textbooks from the States as well that gave a lead up to the standard course books I got from Melbourne.

The exams were arranged that an examiner would fly in to conduct the test. Each student would get a different lot of question out of about one thousand questions on whatever test they were doing that had been scrambled off a CD rom.

My students started passing the tests. Some of us like a challenge and are not afraid to give things a go. My students here where I teach know that I expect them to try. They are more scared of not trying than trying with me and that is how I want it. Their marks have gone up quite a bit.

I did my Grad Dip by distance so I know how to teach self study. So now you know what facilitator does.

[fluffyhamster]

It's not my intention to get at you, Anda. I'm just wondering how "open" a profession school teaching is to those who, despite having initiative and potentially good ideas, simply do not have QTS.

[Anda]

It is not open at all in Australia without a teaching degree even in Aboriginal settlements. Here in Asia it is a matter at being available at the right time when no one with QTS is available and doing a good job once in the job.

I have taught now for 7 years in goverment schools and colleges.