Job Discussion Forums

[B0RGNINE]

Hello all,

I have some questions about finding university work in Hong Kong, but before I start, I just need to mention that I cant' get the search function to work on my computer for some reason. I've tried three different browsers (Firefox, Chrome, and Explorer) and all I get is a blank white screen. Anyone else have this problem? I'm assuming it's not a problem with Dave's search engine, but something going on with my computer. Anyway... just had to mention that before I have 10 people berate me for not knowing how to/being too lazy to perform a search.

I did make some inquiries some time ago about university work in Hong Kong, and have heard that the continuing education divisions of universities offer the most lucrative positions, but was wondering what effect the global economy has had on competition. I know the news isn't good, but how bad is it?

About me (list style to save time/space... I tend to be long-winded):

AGE/SEX/MARITAL -

36/male/single without children or dependants

EDUCATION -

MA (Curriculum and Instruction - TESL)
BA (English Lit.)


QUALIFICATIONS -

Colorado State Teaching License (Secondary English Language Arts)
Colorado State Professional Teaching Endorsement (TESL - Linguistically Diverse Education)

EXPERIENCE -

April 2010 � Present: teaching English conversation classes at a private language school Chiba, Japan

April 2009 � August 2009: Taught accredited English classes at a college in Kawasaki, Japan

January 2006 � August 2008: Taught English for Academic Purposes at a university Intensive English Program in Denver, Colorado, USA

July 1999 � July 2002: Was in the JET program as an ALT in Sapporo, Japan

PUBLICATIONS -

not published

-----------------
I'm currently trying to find a university position in the Tokyo area (because I speak Japanese, have an established social circle, and have a fantastic girl here... all hard things to give up) but competition is really tight right now for uni positions, and I need to consider other options if things don't work out here.

My education and qualifications I know aren't bad, but there are a lot of people out there with similar quals but who have more experience than me. And I'm not published (I may start working on this soon, but even so, I doubt anything will be ready to include on my CV before the spring which is when my contract is up here in Japan). Unfortunately, the schooling for the teaching license, ESL endorsement and my MA wasn't cheap, and I have some extremely hefty student loan debt in the States. I wouldn't be so concerned about money otherwise and would consider teaching anywhere I think I might be happy living regardless of how much I'd be paid, but under my current circumstances if I'm unable get a handle on this debt over the next couple of years, I'll be under it for a very very long time. It's rather a make or break situation for me at this point.

Considering the above, what kind of options do I have available for me in Hong Kong under the current economic circumstances? Under a realistic scenario, what can I expect to be paid, how much might I be able to save, and what kind of paid time off is offered?

Thank you everyone.

NOTE: you may see a modified version of this same posting on a couple of the other boards, notably: Vietnam, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea and Malaysia. Thanks for understanding.

[Perilla]

There are some very good uni gigs in HK, but they are few in number and mostly occupied 'until death do they part' by people who arrived here with PhD's in the 1990s or even earlier.

The vast majority of uni posts in the TEFL sector, and for which you would be eligible with your quals, pay OK but not huge by HK standards - say between HK$ 25,000 and 40,000, and tend to be taken by people who are on the ground in HK - I doubt you'd succeed in securing such a post from abroad.

My advice would be to take a look at Korea (if you can't make it work in Japan). IMO Korea has the best realistically achievable uni gigs in Asia - decent money and nice holidays. A bit of a culture shock after Japan though, I suspect.

[B0RGNINE]

Perilla,

Thanks for the post. I appreciate it. The TEFL uni positions you mentioned that pay 25,000-40,000 per month (which is about what I'd expect to be paid here for a non-tenure track TEFL uni position in Tokyo as well, so all other considerations aside, six in one hand, half-a-dozen in the other... sounds good to me!) are you saying those would be easier to secure if I were physically in Hong Kong, or would I physically have to have a visa in my passport? I guess what I'm asking is, are these positions advertised for anyone to apply to that already has a visa? Or do they just want you physically available to interview if called?

I have been thinking about Korea. I've just heard things, a lot of not-so-good things about teaching there. But maybe uni work would be different... do you know anyone that's had the experience?

[Perilla]

[Joshua2006]

[Perilla]

[Joshua2006]

Your 11 sees my 9.

But read my post and then read yours and you might see a similarity between opinions of the places where we have both stayed for a prolonged period of time.

I think the one major flaw in your reply is the word 'unpredictable'. That is a word that people don't want in a decription if they are making a life move to a new country into what should be a predictable and secure future.

However, horses for courses......

[Perilla]

[Joshua2006]

[Perilla]

[Joshua2006]