TEFL or PGCE

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  1. #1

    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    TEFL or PGCE

    My wife and I are both qualified teachers (Secondary) in the UK and are relocating in Jan 2009 to HK.

    My wife has taught English for 4 years and I teach Science. Do we need a TEFL as well as our PGCE??

    Both of us want to teach English, preferably so that we have flexibility to travel around asia as well.

    My wife is Caucasian-British and I am a British-born Chinese (HK) does this really matter??

    Any advice at all would be appreciated in finding work.


  2. #2

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    TEFL or PGCE

    Hi There,

    It depends on who you want to work for. If you want to work for the HK Education Department Bureau (EDB) you have to obtain a recognized TEFL within your first contract. If you apply to private schools as far as I know it's not always neccessary. To find out which TEFL courses are recognized by the EDB email Ralph Barnes: [email protected]



    I do recommend getting one because it will make things easier for you and of course benefit the children you end up teaching.

    If you do decide to apply with the EDB please remember that the process takes heaps of time (about 6 months) so the sooner you apply the better off you'll be.

    Good luck
    ........b


  3. #3

    Join Date
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    Hey there,

    Firstly, i'm sure you both will have a very easy time finding work as English Teachers in HK, and more so elsewhere in Asia.

    With a PGCE you'll be fine!!! Don't worry!!! This is from the EDB website...

    Appointment of NETs should be considered according to the following order of priority:

    Category 1 (to be appointed at Graduate Master/Mistress (GM) rank)

    (i) a bachelor’s degree in English Language or English Literature or English Studies or Linguistics# or a Modern Language# OR a Bachelor in Education degree (major in English or a Modern Language#, but not primary education specialist) obtained after 3 years’ full-time study from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

    (ii) a Post-graduate Diploma in Education majoring in English or equivalent; and

    (iii) a Teaching of English as Foreign Language or a Second Language (TEFL/TESL) qualification at least at the diploma level; and

    (iv) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at secondary level or above.


    They have info at their website, here is the link...

    EDB - Recruitment for Secondary NET

    Goodluck!


  4. #4

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    Aug 2008
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    EDB

    Thanks for the advice so far guys.

    I got on to the EDB website asap and I downloaded the application form for completion. I have yet more questions that we would greatly appreciate if someone could help with.

    1) My Britsh B.Sc and PGCE need to be assessed by the HKCAA before they can be submitted for EDB registration..Is there any way around this as the fees will total over HK$4000 for assessment of our certificates only?

    2) Is an International school a private school in HK?

    3) What types of teaching can we do without EDB registration and thus is it completely necessary?

    We are trying our best to play by the rules and come to HK well prepared, however it is very difficult to apply for these things and send original documents all over the world to verify qualifications especially since our payslips and bank statements were not returned for my wife's visa! (sigh)

    I have been trying to explain the structure to my wife (and myself) so could you check this please.

    The EDB is the Government body for teacher registration.
    The ESF are local schools that teach using English but are not private schools.
    The International schools are private schools.
    NETs can be employed by the EDB and sent to local Chinese schools for English language teaching.


    Bear with me guys...just trying to be thorough and do things right.


  5. #5

    Join Date
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    Hey there,

    Well here's what I think... for what it's worth lol!

    1. Actually yes you will need to get assessed my the HKQAA, and it it expensive hey. But don't go sending your originals over, you can send them in, and when you arrive, go in person to present your originals and collect the assessment. Don't ever let go of your originals!!!

    2. Yes, most International schools are private. Depending on the school, you might have to register with the EDB as a teacher so you will need the assessment. However, some schools will take you on the strength of your papers. I have found that a lot of places, for teachers, ask for the assessment report... useful to have in any case.

    3. If you don't register with the EDB i'm sure you can still work in a million places! Learning centres, private schools etc. I only had to get assessed because I qualified and wanted to register as a teacher.

    4. Yep EDB is the Education Dept...

    5. I thought ESF was private, but actually I think they might receive govt funding? Not sure on that one

    6. If you are employed by the EDB it is most likely you will be sent as an English teacher to a local Chinese School.

    You should check out TES - Teaching jobs, resources & ideas from the Times Educational Supplement which has some great jobs, and perhaps more the sort of thing you are looking for. Go to the international jobs section and check it out....

    Plus if you apply for a job overseas, the company will sort out all your visa paper work etc. I never sent off any originals with my applications, I was never asked to... so be really careful!

    Goodluck... i'm off to have a cup of tea after writing all that! I'm not sure if i'm right though... but that's what I seem to have in my mind!

    See you for a few drinks when you get here!


  6. #6

    Join Date
    Nov 2003
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wandi:
    My wife is Caucasian-British and I am a British-born Chinese (HK) does this really matter??
    My God- has it really come to this?

  7. #7

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    Apparently so


  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wandi:
    Any advice at all would be appreciated in finding work.
    Don't forget to post questions on teaching-related forums.

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Wandi:
    Thanks for the advice so far guys.

    I got on to the EDB website asap and I downloaded the application form for completion. I have yet more questions that we would greatly appreciate if someone could help with.

    1) My Britsh B.Sc and PGCE need to be assessed by the HKCAA before they can be submitted for EDB registration..Is there any way around this as the fees will total over HK$4000 for assessment of our certificates only?
    This has been a point of discussion between my girlfirend (who is a NET) and some of our friends who are also NETs at the moment, as neither she nor one of our friends was required to have her (UK B.ed) accredited here in HK, but another friend was required to do so. From what we can work out it is more of a requirement of the school you end up working for, ie the EDB will accept you application etc without the accreditation, but when you are applying for schools the school itself may request that the qualifications are accredited...please don't take this as gospel, as rules may have been changed, but I would apply without the accreditations and only do so if and when asked...

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    11
    Quote Originally Posted by Wandi:
    My wife is Caucasian-British and I am a British-born Chinese (HK) does this really matter??
    .
    Breaking news.... this morning we received this email....hmmm.

    "Thank you for your email, can you leave your phone number, and also a resend picture for record? I have some full time job for female teacher only , I would like to arrangement interview for you soon."

    Really? What about me does being a man really matter. Photo ID for records or checking colour palate??? Who knows.

    Definitely have to meet some of you guys for drinks when we arrive in Jan.

    Thanks for the advice so far.