Job Discussion Forums

[gfisher]

I'm considering Taiwan vs. Hong Kong.

I've searched online for HK SNET details but some of the language is imprecise.

I've read that teachers should receive a minimum of four consecutive weeks of vacation. However, the same document mentioned that teachers may be required to perform additional duties during that time. Is that vacation time or not?

Another document said summer vacation at the end of the contract - so is that paid or unpaid vacation time?

I've also read that each school is different. Can someone please paint me a realistic picture of a teacher's vacation time or work-life balance in HK?

With pay, do all teachers begin on the same pay-level, or do our verifiable years of experience start us higher on the pay scale? I think experience equates to higher pay but it's not explicitly stated in any documents I've read.

Thanks for answering these elementary questions!

[oxi]

Ehm, what did you search for that you couldn't find the government website that gives the salary range? Google EDB NET HK. No, I haven't tried, but I'd be surprised if that doesn't get it.

Teachers do get around 4 weeks summer vacation, but can be 3 - 5 weeks depending on principal's whim.

2 year contract something like August 20 - August 19. Summer about 18 July - 18 August (paid). Varies slightly school to school. Also around 10 days each for Xmas, Chinese New Year and Easter.

Work-life balance depends on principal's whim. School day supposed to be about 8-4. They'll have you in till 6 or 7 if you let them.

[RiverMystic]

Don't mind the natives (NETs), gfisher. They sound arrogant and aloof, but are mostly harmless.

There are about 5-6 weeks of scheduled vacation time, where no classes are taught, but normally you'd be expected to do about a week's work at the beginning or end of that period. That is normally some pointless activity like extra exam drills for the kids who failed the exams. If it ain't working, just do twice as much of it - HK's golden rule.

Your salary will be graded according to post education degree/diploma experience. Experience before that doesn't count. Don't mind the EDB. They sound arrogant and aloof but are actually, um... arrogant and aloof.

[oxi]

I consider myself grumpy and irritable, yet mostly harmless. Try these links, didn't have time before:-

http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=262&langno=1
http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=1301&langno=1

[gfisher]

Thanks for the info - wasn't 100% sure if only experience in HK counted.

I have two different EDB docs with different salary info.

I'm putting an application together now for HK and TWN. Thanks again for the info.

[gfisher]

Update: my interview is very soon!

[gfisher]

Nope. I made a mess of it. Maybe next year.

[gfisher]

As it turns out, I received an e-mail saying that I passed!

[oxi]

Well done then. Good luck