Job Discussion Forums

buffy1 · Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 7

Hi everyone!

I always appreciate the advice of the people on this forum so I would really appreciate some advice.

I have a BA English, PGDE (Secondary English major/drama minor) and a TESOL. Plus 6 years ESL exp teaching at a high school in Japan.

I passed the interview and the reference check for the NET program last August and am now waiting for a placement which/if it happens won't be till August.

In the meantime I have been offered a job at a kindergarten in Hong Kong. 21k, 8:30 - 5pm, 2 half Saturdays a month.

I'm trying to work out if it is worth going over there and taking the job just to get my foot in the door and look for something better once I'm there.

Any advice? Thanks so much in advance.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

Depends how desperate you are, but 21K a month is reasonable for a short-term kindy job, so if I were you I'd be tempted to go for it.

A word of caution though, you wouldn't want the contract to interfere with your possible NET post, so make sure it ends in the summer. Then, if you don't get a NET job you can sign a new contract or do something else.

outkasted_3000 · Joined: 18 Aug 2010 Posts: 20

buffy1 · Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 7

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

The NET interview was kind of strange actually. I walked out feeling sure that I wouldn't get through, and that it had gone terribly, but apparently, it didn't.

Im trying to remember.....I was also so sick with the flu during the interview I can barely remember.

I was asked what activities I thought helped students to improve their English in and out of class and how I worked with my cooperating teacher to teach English in class.

I was also asked a really strange question about prepositions and had to explain the difference between using "on" and "in". They tried to trip me up with a really strange question about how on and in are used differently when talking about transport.

I would advise reviewing some grammar rules before the interview, just in case.

The written test was just to write a speech introducing myself to the staff at a new school.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the interview.

And no, I get no housing allowance with the 21k.

They also want me to sign a 2 and a half year contract. Im a bit confused about this. One contract goes until July 31st and then they want me to sign two others. This kind of makes me wary.

Does anyone know if NET positions sometimes come up before the summer?

Thanks

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

I agree with Joshua. If I were you I'd insist on only signing the contract that expires this summer, otherwise there may be problems getting out of the contract.

Re being offered a NET post before July/August, yes it's possible, though unlikely.

kowlooner · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 230 Location: HK, BCC (former)

I'm not sure if it's "wrong, wrong and wrong on every level," but at first glance it does look a bit unusual. I think the school in question probably does 2-year contracts. It likely doesn't want to bother with just a half-year contract and so is lumping that in with its regular 2-year deal. Besides, I can't think of any school that would just do a half-year contract if they have to sponsor a visa and all. If the visa isn't a problem, then tell them of your plans and sign for just half a year. If the visa is an issue, then you really don't have much of a choice: either take the 2.5 year deal (or negotiate down to a 1.5 year deal) or do something else while waiting for a NET placement.

Good luck!

sistercream · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 497 Location: Pearl River Delta

Never mind the legalities (well, they are important, but others have covered them), what kind of working conditions would you have in your kindergarten job?
From a couple of bitter experiences over the years - will you just be teaching English classes, or will you be teaching the whole syllabus in EMI? How many kids in the class? What age? (IME, K1 can be as little as 32 months old) Will there be at least one TA in the room with you at all times?
How many contact hours per day? Would you have ANY prep time within official working hours? Playground/ nap time duties? Do you get a lunch hour, or do you have to eat with the children?
Kindy teaching in Asia is NOT a unionised job ...

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342

buffy1 · Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 7

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah, the kids were from 2 or 3 upwards and I was supposed to have a teaching aid at all times. I would be expected to be there all through the day, and be in the classroom to assist with classroom management while they studied Mandarin and Cantonese, etc. I didnt ask about lunch or prep time though as I assumed it was included in the already long day.

I know how full on little kids can be and Im sure the job would be exhausting.

I might just be better waiting and hoping a teaching job comes up in Australia in the meantime.