Moving to HK

[charlieferens]

I have not come on here to have someone constantly go through my writing, which is not up to scratch as I do not believe it has to be fantastic when writing on such a thing like this. I have come on here to ask about living in Hong Kong not to be criticised at every opportunity. I am a good teacher, I know that from my reports off the schools I have worked in and I should not have to be down graded in such a way. When writing things on here I do it fast and do not use the correct punctuation etc as I do not believe it is necessary. I admit that I do not re-check what I have written and the majority of time just post it. Sorry to be frank in such a mannor but this is not meant to be a personal vendeta against my English skills whilst I ask others for help and information about the Country I shall be moving to.

[PDLM]

{...}my writing, which is not up to scratch as I do not believe it has to be fantastic when writing on such a thing like this. {...}I am a good teacher

I suspect (and hope) that I am not alone in finding those two statements incompatible (reinforced by yet more errors of spelling and one completely wrong choice of phrase). Unfortunately, expats here spend a lot of time whining about the quality of the English of local HK people. It is becoming clear to me that it is by no means entirely their own fault (except in their choice of teachers).

Of course, I know that there are many excellent teachers of English (and other subjects) in Hong Kong, and now I guess it is clear why some schools are so dramatically more expensive than others. (And also why they pay their teachers substantially more than others - pay peanuts, get monkeys.)

[charlieferens]

Im sorry but I have not come on here to be spoke to in such a way. I have come on here to find out more about living in HK and your not really helping me. I dont want a slagging match over the choices I make when I am writing.
Also I shall not be paid a 'monkeys' salary as you put it. Infact its the same salary as a teacher would recieve in this country. Anyway it is the experience not the salary.

[PDLM]

Er, charlie, the average package of ESF teachers (which is what many of the good ones are) is about HK$75,000 per month. Since you are looking at housing for $3-8,000 then I suspect you are not in that league.

[PDLM]

the same salary as a teacher would recieve in this country.

For heaven's sake charlie! Write out 100 times - "i before e except after c"!

[jayinhongkong]

The private English tutorial game in Hong Kong's a funny one. The primary criterion involved in making a decision on a teacher is the colour of their skin. Just another example of where widespread ignorance gets you.

[charlieferens]

Yes but I am an NQT so therefore have not got the classroom experience in the UK as many higher paid teachers in Hk will have. I am happy to be paid what I wll be getting paid as it is no less to what I would get teaching here. Also I am not teaching EFL I am teaching Primary education which is what I am qualified in.
I'm sorry but I have not learnt anymore about the country through asking here and I am disappointed in peoples constant corrections in my messages. I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT AND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LIVE THERE!!! Sorry but if you can not offer me any information then don't say anything, please. Your not helping me.

[PDLM]

Actually Charlotte the Southside Academy Sylvan Learning Centre (which I think is the place you are talking about) advertises as "2 years 8 months up to 6 years". Is that "primary" these days? I'd say "kindergarten" or "pre-school".

But they advertise themselves thus:

"Southside Kindergarten
Description: {...}Develops the necessary pre-reading and pre-writing skills and ensuring[sic] the transition from Kindergarten to Primary are[sic] as smooth as possible."

So it looks like your English skills are well-matched after all.

[ScotchDrinker]

Hey Charlie I just sent you a private message.

[charlieferens]

Actually I think you'll find im working with that age group on a morning and older children in the afternoon. Also YES it is classed as primary here in the Uk we do not have kindergarten etc. Its nursery, reception, primary and all of them are within the primary school!!
I cant help but get the feeling your trying to put me off, well PDLM get the hint I dont need your comments because they are of no help to me and my plans to move to Hong Kong to work.