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massive_wonder
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:25 am Post subject: What does it take to be a "qualified" teacher? |
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| After reading a few posts about Hong Kong, it appears that qualifications are needed to get a decent job there. I have no teaching certifications, and my bachelor's degree is unrelated to education (it's in business). All I have is teaching experience in Korea, which is probably meaningless everywhere outside of Korea. What do I need in order to acquire teaching qualifications that HK schools desire? Is it just a matter of taking a TESL or CELTA course? Or do I need to go back to the US and get a second bachelor's degree (in education this time)? |
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Marcoregano
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 872
Location: Hong Kong
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Serious_Fun
Joined: 28 Jun 2005
Posts: 1171
Location: terra incognita
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:40 am Post subject: Re: What does it take to be a "qualified" teacher? |
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| massive_wonder wrote: |
| After reading a few posts about Hong Kong, it appears that qualifications are needed to get a decent job there. I have no teaching certifications, and my bachelor's degree is unrelated to education (it's in business). All I have is teaching experience in Korea, which is probably meaningless everywhere outside of Korea. What do I need in order to acquire teaching qualifications that HK schools desire? Is it just a matter of taking a TESL or CELTA course? Or do I need to go back to the US and get a second bachelor's degree (in education this time)? |
First of all, let me write that your teaching experiences in Korea are not meaningless outside of Korea, provided that you have letters of reference. They will help you to land a job in the future.
There are many types of schools in HK: "elite" international schools, local primary and secondary schools, language schools/centres (Wall Street, GEOS, etc., etc.), colleges, universities, vocational training programmes, and many iterations within these categories.
The better jobs require more quals and verifiable experience, obviously. The language school/centre type would require that you be able to fit into their respective programme (routine?) and be eligible for a work visa. The local primary and secondary schools would hope for a PGCE or teaching credential, and may require a language proficiency exam, (here we have the Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers of English or LPATE), or just proof that you are a Native Speaker, although that is slowly changing because of research into international English and the value of "Near Native Speakers" working as teachers. All of these positions would also hope for and require some sort of TEFL certificate such as the CELTA or CELTYL, as well as some verifiable teaching experience.
The term Qualified Teacher refers to an individual who is licensed to teach in their "home" country. What credentials/certs do the schools in your hometown require? Probably some sort of practicum/student teaching time along with coursework in pedagogy, strategies, etc., etc.
The requirements will vary according to type of position, and according to the needs of the school.
In my opinion, Hong Kong is not the place to work without QTS, but some do it and enjoy their life. I cannot answer for you. If you are interested, then send out some CVs and see what happens.
If I were you, then I would not return home to earn another degree, but rather work overseas and study for a PGCE via a distance learning programme or a local university. Many teachers do this.
Regarding marcoregano's post, I have seen those figures thrown about over the past 2 years. I am in the EdB's NET Scheme, and I do not know anybody without QTS. I'm sure that there are some though, as it is a topic of conversation and a sore point for some, (a watering down of the programme's intent and usefulness). |
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Jason Goren
Joined: 24 Nov 2008
Posts: 33
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| Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: Re: What does it take to be a "qualified" teacher? |
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| Serious_Fun wrote: |
| Regarding marcoregano's post, I have seen those figures thrown about over the past 2 years. I am in the EdB's NET Scheme, and I do not know anybody without QTS. I'm sure that there are some though, as it is a topic of conversation and a sore point for some, (a watering down of the programme's intent and usefulness). |
Serious Fun, the figures in question come straight from the horse's mouth, as it were. Back in July the EDB stated that some 39% of PNETs did not hold QTS ('39pc of primary NETs are 'not qualified'', Education Post, SCMP, July 12, 2008). |
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