Undecided where to teach? - ESL Teaching

Peter Greer · Thu 16-Jun-05, 07:06 PM

For any newbies out there, if undecided where to teach and what school to go with, then I recommend:

China - if you don't have a university degree
Hong Kong - if you have a university degree

China has such a diverse climate and landscape that you can be sure to find your ideal setting. Whether it be in the country or in the city, China offers it all. Although the pay may not be so high, but everything else is free. Free acommodation and food in some cases. You can also do very very cheap shopping.

I read on another thread in these forums that a teacher was confused what to do after teaching. Well, here in China you can build relationships with factories and suppliers so that hopefully someday you can then start to export when you decide to hang up your teaching boots.

Hong Kong is one of the highest paid places for teaching English if you have a degree. Not much diversity though in landscape but great if you want to make big bucks.

Always though keep in mind before settling with a school to ask to speak with former teachers. If the school cannot be bothered to arrange this for you, then why should you be bothered to get on a plane and fly around the world to work for the school? Be firm but polite. You have a right to know what type of place you will work for.

Happy hunting!

mpin · Fri 17-Jun-05, 12:09 PM

Hello!
I would like to go to Taiwan to teach English but China sounds great also. The problem is I am not an native speaker. Do I have to be a native speaker to teach English in China or Hong Kong?

cdevine · Fri 17-Jun-05, 12:32 PM

If a non-native English speaker, then the easiest country to go with is China. There are many non-native English teachers in China.

Am not too sure about Hong Kong though.

ESL Teacher · Fri 17-Jun-05, 01:58 PM

Hong Kong is more strict with English teachers. If you are a non-native English speaker, then you cannot teach in public school classrooms in Hong Kong.

Refer to:

Native English-speaking Teacher scheme: Hong Kong Ministry of Education program that places foreign language teachers in public school classrooms.

Brian · Fri 17-Jun-05, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcpineault

Do I have to be a native speaker to teach English in China or Hong Kong?

The answer is - legally 'yes. You can get work teaching in China but it is very unlikely to be a legal teaching position. Personally, I think that you would have more chance securing a job in China more quickly than you would as a non-native English speaker, but any position you do accept is likely to be an illegal one. It is not so much the moral implications of working illegally as it is the fact that you will be more vulnerable to abuse.

Your posts here show that you have excellent English skills, and it seems clear that you have the ability to do the work, but unfortunately the non-native speakers who came before you may have sullied the waters.

Is there any possibility that you could teach your native language in either China or Taiwan?

Thu 16-Jun-05, 07:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Peter Greer Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Nationality: British Occupation: English Teacher Location: Posts: 11	Undecided where to teach? For any newbies out there, if undecided where to teach and what school to go with, then I recommend: China - if you don't have a university degree Hong Kong - if you have a university degree China has such a diverse climate and landscape that you can be sure to find your ideal setting. Whether it be in the country or in the city, China offers it all. Although the pay may not be so high, but everything else is free. Free acommodation and food in some cases. You can also do very very cheap shopping. I read on another thread in these forums that a teacher was confused what to do after teaching. Well, here in China you can build relationships with factories and suppliers so that hopefully someday you can then start to export when you decide to hang up your teaching boots. Hong Kong is one of the highest paid places for teaching English if you have a degree. Not much diversity though in landscape but great if you want to make big bucks. Always though keep in mind before settling with a school to ask to speak with former teachers. If the school cannot be bothered to arrange this for you, then why should you be bothered to get on a plane and fly around the world to work for the school? Be firm but polite. You have a right to know what type of place you will work for. Happy hunting! __________________ Pro Film Maker . . .

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Fri 17-Jun-05, 12:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
mpin Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6	Hello! I would like to go to Taiwan to teach English but China sounds great also. The problem is I am not an native speaker. Do I have to be a native speaker to teach English in China or Hong Kong?

Fri 17-Jun-05, 12:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
cdevine Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Nationality: British Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 13	If a non-native English speaker, then the easiest country to go with is China. There are many non-native English teachers in China. Am not too sure about Hong Kong though.

Fri 17-Jun-05, 01:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
ESL Teacher Wannabe Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Posts: 31	Hong Kong is more strict with English teachers. If you are a non-native English speaker, then you cannot teach in public school classrooms in Hong Kong. Refer to: Native English-speaking Teacher scheme: Hong Kong Ministry of Education program that places foreign language teachers in public school classrooms.

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