Job Discussion Forums

[chookychook]

Im looking to move to Hong Kong in the next 12 months as my wife has accepted a job out there. I've appled for a couple of positions but received no reply and Im worried I have unrealistic salary expectations...I wouldnt normally include expected salary in an application, but most positions seem to ask for it, so Id a ppreciate advice on how to pitch my salary expectations.

I habe Bdes 1st class in graphic design with 4 years industry experience. I have three years tefl experience in Japan and Korea, a PGCE in secondary Design and Technology, in my 4th year teaching Graphics and Product Design at GCSE (currently in chargeof product design), also studying for a masters in education, due accreditation next year.

Any indication of what salary I should expect would be very much appreciated.

[Perilla]

Not sure you stand much chance of getting into a HK international school as an English teacher given your quals are in another field. You may stand a better chance with the EdB NET programme, which will be advertising for Sept 2012 soon.

Anyway, re. salary, it will vary depending on which international school or NET prog. I'd say ballpark figures for your salary expectation would range from 30K to 40K per month. This figure will be rather more if there's a housing allowance involved.

[sistercream]

Comparatively few international schools hire TEFL staff: students are assumed to be working at native speaker level already. Even in dual stream schools such as German Swiss International, French International or Korean International most English lessons for the *other* language stream are conducted by the regular English class teachers.

If you want to hedge your bets, you could put your name down for the EdB NET scheme while you keep your eyes peeled for vacancies at ESF or international schools in your subject area.

There are huge variations in salary scales at international schools: the lower tier ones are probably offering around the 30K mark for a full time subject teacher; top-of-the-line schools such as HKIS, GSIS and AISHK will have substantially higher packages (and probably not ask you about expected salary; they have set scales).

[chookychook]

Thanks very much for the replies. Im not looking to teach english, rather design/technology. My tefl days are over...not sure how realistic that is, many international school dont bother with tech.