Friday, 22 August 2014

An Overview Of English Teaching In Hong Kong

By Jonny Blair


Mastering the English language is a huge priority to the people of Hong Kong. As the business world continues to progress, so does the need for international communication skills. To keep up with rapid progress Hong Kong stresses English education and learning for everyone from childhood on up.

Yes it is and in many different fields of teaching as well. One of the main reasons that there are always teaching jobs going is the turnover of staff here. Teachers come and go in Hong Kong - linger for a while and move on - some people come for a year or two to earn their money and then move on to another part of the world or another job.

In the event that you have chosen to tutor English in Hong Kong, there are basic qualifications that you simply must have. In some nations round the world, you'll need a college degree and really very little else. Hong Kong, however, has high expectations for foreign lecturers.

What about Visas?

The next step is to get TEFL certification. While this isn't a strict requirement it is a good idea as it brings with it a wider variety of job options. Another benefit is that the pay rate for those who have TEFL certification is noticeably higher. This certification basically teaches you how to handle a classroom.

All in all the rate of pay is good in Hong Kong and if you don't live in an expensive pad (as I never do) and eat out all the time, you can save a lot of money in Hong Kong, as I have done over a 3 year period - you can eat out for about $3 US every night if you stay local!

Probably the biggest headache you will experience after deciding to teach English in Hong Kong will be the search for appropriate housing. In several countries, the employer that hires you may provide you with teacher's housing for free; but, in Hong Kong this is often not the case. Luckily, most jobs in tuition centers or schools in Hong Kong do embrace a "housing allowance" alongside your regular paycheck. The idea behind the allowance provided is that will cover rent, it would be wise to take that amount into consideration when choosing how much you can afford.

Basically if you show enthusiasm for the job, hunt around and be flexible you'll be fine. You might have to do a bit of travelling to work, but public transport here is fantastic so that's not an issue. In short, if you get to Hong Kong and want a job as an English teacher, you will probably get one, assuming you are proactively looking for one, confident and a happy person!

If you have made the decision to teach English in Hong Kong, along with your excitement, prepare yourself for a sometimes difficult but very rewarding experience. The opportunity to immerse yourself so fully in another culture will be an enlightening experience that may very well change your life.




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