Teaching English in Hong Kong

Do I need a degree to teach in Hong Kong?

Improve this answer

Yes.

Do I need a TEFL qualification and/or experience?

Improve this answer

Private language schools do not always require a TEFL qualification or experience, but such jobs are few and far between and attract a lower salary.

What are the visa requirements?

Improve this answer

For a work visa you need a degree and a letter of sponsorship from your prospecetive employer. The process can take up to a month and involves a small processing fee, usually paid for by the teacher.

Where are the jobs?

Improve this answer

All over Hong Kong.

What’s the best way to find work?

Improve this answer

The English language newspaper the South China Morning Post list English teaching jobs, including NET scheme jobs. larger schools may advertise jobs on the internet, but visiting schools with your CV is the best way for smaller schools.

Other answers:
  I only know of two schools out of the dozens in Hanoi that employ teachers prior to their arrival in Vietnam.

When is the best time of year to look for work?

Improve this answer

Work is available year round at language schools, but a lot of recruitment is done in May and June for summer programs and for the next school year.

What kind of salary can I expect?

Improve this answer

15,000-30,000 HKD a month in language schools, 300-500 HKD an hour for private tutoring, and up to 50,000 HKD for NET scheme jobs plus a housing allowance.

What kind of teaching schedule can I expect?

Improve this answer

In language schools, 20-30 hours a week, mostly in the evnings and at weekends. There are a lot of after-school classes for childre, as well as business English.

Are there opportunities for private teaching?

Improve this answer

Example answer:
  There are a lot of opportunities to teach children privately. A lot of that kind of work comes through word of mouth contacts once you start teaching at a school. Only people with permanent residence status in Hong Kong advertise themselves as private tutors because people on a work visa shouldn’t be doing private work on the side according to the restrictions of their contracts.

What about the cost of living?

Improve this answer

50% of respondents in our survey thought that the cost of living is quite low compared to salary; 50% thought it is quite high.

What’s the best way to get around?

Improve this answer

By bus and MTR.

What about internet access?

Improve this answer

Internet is very easy to install at home and wifi is available everywhere, even on public transport.

What’s the best way to find somewhere to live?

Improve this answer

Schools do not often help with this. Websites such as AsiaXpat have good classified listings.

Ethan on 27 January 2008

  Working in Hong Kong is an enjoyable experience overall. The students are pleasant and better behaved than in western Europe. They are eager to learn and have a great sense of humour. Many youngsters have a basic grasp of English. There are many expats in Hong Kong and British/Irish pubs and bars. The food is great but if you go to a nice restaurant expect to pay western prices. They have a great underground rail system the MTR which is cheap, punctual and popular. Taxis are also very cheap for short hops. Rent can be high though due to the lack of flat land. Expect to be in a 30 storey apartment building unless you’ve got money. Crime is very low. Best places for entertainment are WanchaI and Causeway Bay and Kowloon. Be careful of street merchants "copy rolex" and "cheap suits sir" A great place overall, Better than South Korea that’s for sure!

Sarah Smith, author of Two Kiwis in Hong Kong on 18 March 2010

  Learn some basic commands in Cantonese such as, sit down and be quiet if you are teaching children. This is very useful for controling large classes of children. Another word of advice is that private teaching can be very lucrative during the school terms but in the holidays you will find this dwindles as students go on holiday. Therefore it is good to have a main job and suppliment that income with private tuition. Also some of the schools don’t have air conditioning so think about this when you apply for jobs as it can get mighty hot in summer. Finally the Chinese mantra is hot and loud so if you follow these suggestions you will be on your way to a great experience.

Add some general advice about Hong Kong

If your advice is about a specific school, please post it in our forum