Job Discussion Forums

[MyCsPiTTa]

Hi

I know this is probably the most common question on here, but the last posts on the topic were a few weeks ago so I don�t want to just jump on the back of them�

I�m a New Zealander (with a British mother) currently in Hong Kong for a few months looking for work in science, either here or in Singapore, but HK is not big on science and finding a job may take longer than I thought... At the same time I�m actually kinda looking for a career change and think teaching may provide that - or at least give me a couple of years grace to look for jobs.

I�m 32 yrs old, have a M.Sc. and B.Sc. in biology and 9 years experience in that field. After years of academic writing, would say I have very good grammar and English skills (if that doesn�t sound too conceited:-S). I am thinking of taking a 4 week intensive TESOL certificate course in Zhuhai China (http://www.tesolcourse.com/tesol/china-zhuhai.php). It is 140 hrs including 6-10 hours practicum.

So according to the NET scheme site I should satisfy the PNET requirements, right? But a lot of posts here on Dave�s forum seem to suggest it�s not that easy � though those posts don�t specify whether they relate to PNET or SNET.

+++++++++

Also, my wife (who is still in NZ) is thinking of doing the same course with me. She is a South African-born NZ citizen with a B.Soc.Sci in Human Resources and Labour Studies. She also has 2 years experience in kindergarten teaching.

As far as I can tell, with that TESOL course we should both satisfy the NET requirements. I also have a friends who have been teaching in Korea for many years who say we should flag the TESOL course and just go to Korea or Taiwan. But the pay over there seems too low to really make it worthwhile, and my motivation for being in Hong Kong is I have a few friends here. I understand that the pay for a �low grade� PNET (like myself) is something like HK$22,000 + $12, 900 allowance. To be honest that is more than enough for me and possibly more than I�m likely to get in science too.

Should we go for it? The NET website is encouraging but some posts here are making me think twice�

[Marcoregano]

No harm in trying! Without a doubt, EdB prefer applicants to have QTS (in other words, a PGCE or equivalent), but if they don't get the required number of qualified applicants you may get lucky. Your lack of teaching experience is another handicap - I imagine that the vast majority of non-QTS NETs will have at least a couple of years' relevant experience.

[RiverMystic]

As Marcoregano says, you can give the PNET system a shot, and your partner too - not sure if they class S Africans as one of the - ahem - desirable countries for native speakers. When HKers think of Africans, I suspect a great many do indeed think of "natives", but not the sort that teach English!

There are the cram schools too - you might get around 15000-20000 if you are lucky there. With a dual income of somewhere between 30-50 000, you can do OK here, and you could do tutoring work here and there in your spare time. Remember, the median household income in HK is only 18 000 a month. HKers are very "frugal". I think that's why the teachers stay at school till 8pm on Friday nights chatting away. At first I thought it was because they were the most boring people on the planet, and just didn't have a life. Now I realise it is to save on the power bill at home.

[Yes Sir I Can Bogey]

I wouldn't do that TESOl course in Zhuhai if I were you, not if you wanted it to be able to get onto the PNET scheme. Hong Kongers don't usually like anything from China, and that goes for those at the EDB, too. Also, unless it has an observed teaching element (I forget the exact number of hours of observed teaching required) it won't be accepted regardless of where it was completed.

As regards your SA-born partner, I'm sad to say that to a large extent it may well depend on whether she is blank or swart, as they say in Afrikaans. If the latter she may find it a bit difficult to secure a teaching post. Unfortunately, for the large part, the idea of a coloured teacher is still quite a revolutionary idea in Hong Kong. If however she is white then it won't be a problem.

The absence of QTS may well be a problem, though, as will your lack of experience. Perhaps you could take a look at posts in large mainland cities?

[MyCsPiTTa]

My wife is not actually black, no. White Afrikaaner.

Hehe, I have to say I haven't had email notifications of replies on this topic for some reason, so the first I heard of it was a mock horrified Skype message form her!

Um, well she is officially now a citizen of NZ now so I'm not sure if she would even have to mention it on her application. She has a form at home right now so I guess she can answer that as good as anyone.

The predjudice against Zhuhai is more worrying... It does have 10 hours practicum which should satisfy the minimum 8hrs requirement as stated on the EDB website. And it is actually an international organisation with locations in 20 or so cities. I could do it in Thailand, Nepal or Vietnam (closer) or any number of european cities although they are probably too far away for me...

According to the website, with what I have, plus a TESOL I would qualify to apply fro PNET (though I would be Category 4). However, what they REALLY accept will depend on how desperate they are at the time I guess.

And to that I'm not sure of the answer...