Job Discussion Forums

[KungFuTreachery]

Hi guys,

I realise this probably sounds as bad as the rest, but I've been looking through threads and the information seems quite disparate, so I'll ask anyway.

I am a recent History graduate (SOAS), who specialised in East Asian histories, and I am currently finishing off my CELTA, which I expect to pass (though I�ve been predicted a S-B). I�m exploring options for teaching abroad in Japan and China. I've applied a couple of times for JET - I made the reserve list 1st time, 2nd time I didn't get an interview, although that had to all be done long before I had even applied for my CELTA. So now I'm looking to get some teaching hours under my belt in a place a little more familiar.

I did my 6th form (16-18yrs) in Hong Kong at Island School (Borrett Road, ESF), I really enjoyed my time there (unlike back in the UK...) and would love an opportunity to live there again for at least for a year or two. Having studied at an international school out there, I am vaguely familiar with how those operate, and the experience of the local students who were transferring in. I've also done quite a bit of research over the last couple of years around these, the teaching situation in Hong Kong seems analogous with Japan and Taiwan, to be honest it all seems a bit dire (the somewhat jaded and demoralising posters in the various forums here not withstanding XD).

I guess what I'm mainly looking for are legitimately run schemes. Some relatively light searching pulled up NET, which I went straight for (PNET as that is the only one I qualify for), otherwise it was mostly shady looking generic too-good-to-be-true TEFL recruiters. Monkey Tree (http://www.monkeytree.com.hk/eng) popped up here which I checked out, but there was minimal 3rd party information to be found which is always a suspicious sign. I'm trying to avoid Hagwon/Eikaiwa style private cram schools as they seem to be an absolute nightmare for one of a fragile disposition such as myself. University would be ideal as my current CELTA experience has been exclusively teaching 20-50yrs range, but I don't have much info on how to get into that game.

So I guess in a roundabout way I'm asking where should I be looking for securing a job before coming? Is that even a constructive way to go about it? Should I try and get out there and look afterwards? That seems incredibly high risk. SCMP seems mainly targeted at those already here. Should I have any expectations or am I still too under-qualified and inexperienced to make it worthwhile?

Any comments appreciated,
Cheers

[Joshua2006]

There are a wealth of jobs at the moment on the SCMP - almost daily.

International school jobs have an insane amount of applications especially from teachers with kids as they can't get their kids into any other school in HK as you may have read.

NET is, well, good, depending on your school to a certain degree...most NETs I have met thoroughly enjoy their lives and if they don't, they move.

Cram schools - I don't have any experience of those here so can't comment.

The more qualifications you come with, the better. If you are in HK to find a job, then make sure you have enough coin to support yourself - a recent thread on here was from someone who did exactly that and after four months (?) still didn't have a job and had run out of money. That same person kept going from abroad, so I believe, and has now secured something.

If you have coin to waste, come and look. If you have coin but don't want to waste it, then stay at home and hit the SCMP every day.

My job was advertised to a LET....I have never seen so many applications for a job - reams and reams of CV's...literally. Then they found me through the EdB....

It really is difficult to give solid advice about jobs here unless you know someone specifically in that job already - there are very few jobs and there are thousands of applicants. I was lucky with my first job as I am sure there are many better qualified than me.

You need to do the leg work. You need to hit all the international school sites. You need to hit the SCMP. Your paperwork needs to look so good that it could be used as an exhibit in the Tate.....

[Perilla]

Adding to what Joshua wrote ...

Your big problem at the mo is your lack of experience and, certainly for the international schools, the fact that you don't have QTS (ie a PGCE or equivalent). Apparently the PNET scheme does occasionally employ teachers without QTS, but factoring in your lack of experience I'd have to say you'd be very lucky to get in - but worth a shot.

The universities, without experience, I'd say no chance.

Your best bet is certainly the private language schools - not great perhaps but better than nothing and would gain you experience and, more importantly, mean that you're here. Alternatively, you might be able to find a teaching assistant post in one of the international schools, which wouldn't be great pay but puts you in a good position.

Obviously, being on the ground in HK is an advantage, especially when seeking the lower-end jobs, but yes it's a risk - it's not a cheap city and savings evaporate fast.

[KungFuTreachery]

Thanks guys, useful advice. I just got my PNET interview invite so will see how that goes!