Job Discussion Forums

[smuvkat25]

Hello All,

I am completing my M.Ed. in TESOL from a university in the U.S. I am a U.S. citizen and I plan on going to Asia when I finish my degree in the spring.

I'm looking for some good, sound advice from the veterans out there. What are my options? I understand the NET program is good, but I'll have ZERO experience - and since I'll be the quintessential 'greenhorn', I was wondering if I could land a uni gig, language instructor in the corporate setting, cram school etc . . .

. . . I'm sure there are many options like I have read (and I'm not looking for folks to say "read the posts - blap, blap blap". I've been there and one that. Looking for people that are currently in HK and can give me some constructive advice.

Thanks a million.


Time Bandit from Cleveland, Ohio USA

[Marcoregano]

[branbuddy]

Hello there,

I am in the process of applying for graduate school (MA TESOL) and am wondering if I would be able to find a decent job in Hong Kong after I finish the year program.

I already have almost four years ESL experience in Korea and a little volunteer/teaching experience back home in the US.

Thanks for any advice.

branbuddy

[hkteach]

There are PNETs (and maybe SNETs too??) here who have no teacher training and in some cases, no TEFL either - this has been a topic of much discussion on PNETforum.
But these people have degrees in other subjects (unrelated to teaching).

I think branbuddy's pre-degree experience will be disregarded for salary purposes, that is it won't place him/her any higher on the payscale than someone with same qualification and no expeirence because only "post-degree experience" is counted.
It may mean that he/she might be more highly regarded than someone with a TEFL qualification and no experience, but won't give him/her any more money.
With those comments in mind, I think smuvkat and branbuddy would be regarded as equal - degree but no experience.

If EDB approves them, it would then be up to the schools which receive their CVs as to whether they'd be offered jobs or not - some schools would consider and some wouldn't (the school I've just left would only consider applicants with significant experience teaching learners at early primary level) but NET jobs are subject to supply and demand and it all depends on who's available.

[smuvkat25]

Thanks for the information. Much appreciated.

[branbuddy]

Yes, thanks for all of the information.

I just have one more question. I think I would prefer teaching at a university level. With my qualifications and future MA would this be possible in Hong Kong? Would the payscale and post-graduate experience work the same as PNET?

Thanks again. Your help is much appreciated.

branbuddy

[hkteach]

'From the SCMP ads I've seen, universities generally require a higher degree for lecturer positions - M.Ed, PhD etc.

I seem to recall another poster writing here about this issue awhile ago (think it might've been Horizontal Hero???)
If you use the "Search"function and write this name in the box, you might see the thread.

[Marcoregano]

There are two basic types of university ESL work in HK - p/t and f/t. For f/t lectureships, you will certainly need a higher degree and relevant experience. However, most of the ESL work in local universities is either p/t or short contract and for that a higher degree is not essential, though relevant experience and good basic qualifications (degree and CELTA or equivalent) would be necessary. Probably also worth pointing out that although most university TESLers are paid by the hour (ie. they are employed p/t), in effect they work f/t, either by working for more than one employer or doing enough hours to make it a reasonable salary. Hourly rates of pay a pretty good, averaging HK500 per hour.

[Serious_Fun]

[forest1979]

If you're after a university gig in HK then there's a pretty standard criteria that you need to have a competitive shot. Some of these have been mentioned, e.g. higher degree, prior higher education experience, but conference papers and publications are certainly handy.

Short but final point, HK doesn't have a lot of universities. Job when they come up are sought after by local as well as overseas applicants. The competition is tough. So be honest. What makes you (in the generic sense) stand out from the other applicants?

[shlinder]

[shlinder]