Job Discussion Forums

Rock Lee · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 10

what are the teaching requirements needed to teach in Hong Kong?? I plan on teaching there next year. im getting my bachelor's in business finance this year, have a TESL certificate, i am also chinese and speak cantonese.....but i have NO teaching experience......what are my chances of finding a job????? thanks

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

A Chinese teaching English in (Hong Kong) China. Hmmm, you could get a job here but expect to make as much as Mcdonalds workers stateside.

Why don't you get some experience back home and then come out here. Better yet, try to get work on the Mainland.

munasa · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 79 Location: HK

It won't be easy to find a teaching position without teaching experience. The Education Dept hires Native English-Speaking Teachers (NETs) to teach English in schools. Requirements include an English degree plus teaching qualification and/or TESL. Closing date for applications for the next school year was several weeks ago, but they will probably advertise for more teachers at the end of 2004 for the 2005/6 school year.
I am not sure, but you might do better looking for a job teaching business English.
There are thousands of NETs in HK teaching in local and international schools, private language centres and Universities. I think competition for the best jobs is stiff.
I also know that it is easier to find a job if you are here in HK rather than from a distance.
Check out the Education section of the employment section of SCMP online. www.scmp.com

Rock Lee · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 10

hhmmm thanks for the replies...... but i dont see what me being chinese has to do with anything..... i was born and raised in the U.S. and english is my first language.....cantonese is my second language....BUT i have heard that american born asians are discriminated against somewhere....is this true?????but i dont know why because i think me being able to communicate with the students in cantonese would actually HELP me get a job, any thoughts about this

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

Sorry Rock,

The Chinese in HK are racist. That is, they see only "white" people as speaking English.

I understand your feelings.

Come to HK and find out for yourself.

mcNug · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 83 Location: HK

I'm afraid that's true rock.

Not just Asians, but anyone who doesn't appear Anglo can have a rough time. At one of my jobs there was a native American teacher and one student complained that they didn't want to be taught English "by an Indonesian". (I doubt that particular student was an anthropologist by any stretch of the imagination.)

It is possible for Asians to get jobs here, I do personally know a Chinese American who is in the NET scheme though and from what he has said I could offer you this advice. Tell them you don't know any Cantonese, he really had to stress that fact (although he did speak it). HK teachers are terrified of their NETs talking, understanding, learning or practicing Cantonese because they believe that if the students have even a slightest hunch that they can understand/speak Cantonese, then they will refuse to speak English to them.

The Hong Kong work Visa rules don�t seem to be etched in stone although the general consensus is that usually a degree and two years teaching experience is what they want. Although depending on the organization sponsoring you, you don�t necessarily need that. I know one teacher who is here with no degree and a TEFL certificate, I thought that completely impossible although the organization that he works for is pretty big.

Anyway, I hope that helps. Despite the difficulties it is possible.

munasa · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 79 Location: HK

Yes, there are overseas born Chinese teachers in the NET scheme.

It is true, though, that if the students find out you speak/understand Cantonese many of them will not talk to you in English.

A Canadian-born Chinese colleague told me that when she is spoken to in Chinese, she asks her primary students to speak in English, but they just wave their hands and say, "Forget it." and walk away. They don't do that with me because they know I don't speak Cantonese.

However, this is not an insurmountable obstacle, and I believe that overseas born Chinese NETs have a lot to offer.

Rock Lee · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 10

wow thats crazy, discriminated on by my own people.....well, i guess i might try taiwan or the mainland, shanghai or beijing maybe??......anywayz thanks for the feedback guys

mcNug · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 83 Location: HK

Hey Rock,

If I were an employer I'd give you the job straight away. Anyone named after my favorite character in Naruto has gotta be cool!

sypanda5 · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 57 Location: HK

hey rock lee...
FYI, i am a cbc (Canadian-born-Chinese). I am now working here in HK as a NET. Before coming to HK, I was teaching English at an American style kindergarten in Taipei, Taiwan...
From MY experience, I KNOW that there are MANY people in Asia (HK, Taiwan, Korea, China, etc..) who DO NOT believe that a foreign-born Asian is as "qualified" as a "foreign-looking" foreigner. BUT, having said that, there ARE schools out there who would hire you becuase if your qualifications as a teacher, not just look at your race/nationality.
Living in HK NOT speaking Cantonese (I speak Mandarin) can be a bit challening but in terms of the kids, if you just NEVER speak Cantonese, they will eventually realise that you just DO NOT understand Cantonese and they MUST speak to you in English in order to communicate.

I have other NET friends who are also CBC's and can speak/understand Cantonese...they do NOT speak Chinese at school. They ONLY speak in English at school so the staff and students all speak to them in English...

Just warning you, though...you will probably find the same problem in other Asian countries. IT's sad to say that Asian people can be racist against their own people!!!!!

Anyways, GOOD LUCK...don't give up...