How to be an English teacher in Hong Kong without a teaching degree?

[Phil80]

Hi all,
This is my first time using this forum. What's the difference between CELTA and Trinity TESOL? Am I more likely to get a teaching job at local school or International school in Hong Kong? What requirements do I need to meet?

I 've been working as private English teacher and English teachers/tutors at learning centers for few years now. I am currently seeking ways to step up further in my teaching career because I have developed a sense of mission, enjoy teaching & want to become a real English teacher.Thanks for your advice.

little background of me--- I was born in HK, then moved to USA when I was 11 yrs old. I have a BA degree in International Relations.Just moved back to HK for few years now.

[drumbrake]

Different organisations but basically the same qualification.

Trinity College London - Trinity Hong Kong and Macau
CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) | Cambridge English

More likely to be teaching in a local school than an international one (you will need more teaching qualifications to teach in an international one), but even for a local school you might not have enough - look at the NET scheme: Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme

[usehername]

International schools want proper teaching qualifications. So do the edb these days.

Those certs would get you positions in language centres.

[big_panda]

Question: How to be an English teacher in Hong Kong without a teaching degree?

Answer: Go to China.

I have a friend working in China tutoring at a University. She has been there 4 months, and had no previous teaching experience. Like you, she only had a BA.

[Phil80]

Thanks for all the kind replies. I heard the experience is not the same teaching at a local school or at learning centers. What do you think?

Would it be a good idea for me to try to get into a bigger sized learning center as I just want to focus on teaching English? The ones I worked for was quite small. Any recommendations on center names? How is the pay?

[jmbf]

What is your priority? Getting a 'traditional' teaching position in a school with all the normal benefits? Or purely increasing / maximising your income? The two paths are not necessarily the same.

[Phil80]

I prefer larger scaled language center since I can focus strictly on English teaching. But I am not a caucasian.So, wonder what's my chance of getting a job at larger language center? TESOL is more suitable more that?

[jmbf]

You could try EF English Town. Some of the teachers in my teacher chat group currently work there but are moving overseas very soon so I know they will be looking for new teachers to replace them.

You would have to convince them that your experience trumps your lack of certification though. Worth a shot.


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