The CP Jobs Guide to

Getting an English Teaching Job in Hong Kong

1.1 Teaching Qualification: None

Opportunities: Local education centres, local kindergarten pre-nursery, international kindergarten pre-nursery

Hiring Period: Throughout the year

Where to Apply: Hong Kong Job Websites (listed below in a later section), Kindergarten websites, Education Centre websites

Useful Links: British Council, English Learning Centres in Hong Kong, Education & Training Job Listings

Without a teaching specific qualification, your teaching options in Hong Kong are going to be limited, as will the salary levels you can hope to receive. All is not lost, however, as Hong Kong is abound with learning centres.

English learning centres will typically explore candidates without teaching qualifications, although you will need to be a native-level English speaker to get this opportunity. Moreover, the position will come with lower salary, and involve extensive travelling between locations. Positions may also be available within kindergarten pre-nurseries, but these are becoming less prevalent. And in some cases staying in the position for longer than 1 year will require you to enrol in an Early Child Education degree or diploma course.

1.2 Teaching Qualification: TEFL/TESL

Opportunities: Local education centres, pre-nursery in local kindergarten, pre-nursery in international kindergarten

Hiring Period: Throughout the year

Where to Apply: Education & Training Job Listings, Kindergarten websites, Education centre websites

Useful Links: TEFL Hong Kong

Acquiring a TEFL or TESL (Teaching English as a Foreign / Second Language) qualification allows candidates to demand a higher salary. More importantly, many teaching positions require these qualifications as a minimum for an applicant to be considered. Possessing this qualification can greatly broaden your scope of opportunities.

1.3 Teaching Qualification: Early Childhood Education

Opportunities: International Kindergarten, Local Kindergarten, and Education Centres

Hiring Period: Typically Around May and June

Where to Apply: Early Childhood Teaching Job Listings

Useful Links: Education Post's Extensive List of Hong Kong Kindergartens

Without a doubt, a formal and internationally recognized teaching qualification will have you in the greatest stead when searching and applying for a teaching position in Hong Kong. A degree in Early Child Education, for example, opens another door of opportunities to teach English across all of Hong Kong’s kindergartens and learning centres, be it local or international.

1.4 Teaching Qualification: Primary Education

Opportunities: Local Primary School, International Primary School, International Kindergarten, Local Kindergarten, and Education Centres

Hiring Period: Typically Around May and June

Where to Apply: Government Program, International Schools directly, Primary School Job Listings

Useful Links: Hong Kong Government Primary NETs Scheme

Teachers looking to work in Hong Kong’s primary schools, whether at a local government school or an international school, will need to hold a primary-specific teaching qualification, in addition to a full bachelor degree in teaching. However, preference is also shown for individuals with a bachelor degree in English Language.

1.5 Teaching Qualification: Secondary Education

Opportunities: Local Secondary School, International Secondary School, Local Primary School, International Primary School, International Kindergarten, Local Kindergarten, Education Centre

Hiring Period: Typically Around May and June

Where to Apply: Government Program, International Schools directly, Secondary School Job Listings

Useful Links: Hong Kong Government Secondary NETs Scheme

Whilst an English teaching position in one of Hong Kong’s secondary schools is the highest paying teaching position available, it is also one of the hardest to qualify for. Typically, these schools require candidates with a bachelor degree in English Language, English Literature, English Studies, Linguistics, or Modern Languages, supplemented by a post-graduate diploma in Education (PGDE or PGCE) majoring in English, preferably as a second or foreign language. In addition, some schools will also require a year of English teaching experience at a secondary school level or equivalent for the candidate to be short listed for the role.

2.1 Schools & Learning Centres Themselves

Typically the recruitment of English teachers in schools falls in line with the traditional academic year. So keep an eye on the schools’ websites themselves, and be on the lookout for new job postings between February and June as schools set their budgets for the forthcoming year.

2.2 Expat and Job Sites

Another great tool to utilize for your teaching job search are Hong Kong’s numerous expat and job sites. Expat sites like Geoexpat have regular threads on English teaching, where to find a job and other job search and teaching tips and advice. Otherwise you can also utilize job sites such as the following:

2.3 English Teaching Communities

Several English teaching communities exist in Hong Kong to help aspiring teachers find new opportunities. One of them is the English Schools Foundation, better known as ESF. Sites like ESF provide lists of English teaching opportunities for various levels.

2.4 Teaching Agencies

Alternatively, you can look to join a local teaching agency, although this does limit your ability to source a job in a location and teaching environment that suits your needs. Teaching agencies will source the schools which need a teacher like you, acting as an intermediary in the process.

Now that you have all the avenues to search for the jobs, it’s time to look at the critical aspect of getting a job in Hong Kong, the job application.

1.1 What is a CV?

CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a document submitted to prospective employers, detailing your professional and academic experience, in addition to job-specific skills and qualifications.

1.2 What is a Resume?

A resume is a snapshot of your professional and academic experience. Summarizing your skills, abilities, and accomplishments typically within a single page or two pages.

1.3 What is the difference between a CV and a Resume?

Where a resume is a snapshot of only the most relevant professional experience, skills, abilities and accomplishments, a CV is more expansive, detailed and is a static document which is not typically tailored to specific jobs. This is the role of the covering letter.

1.4 When should a CV be used for a teaching Job?

Typically, but not always, a CV is only required for individuals with extensive industry experience to detail. As such, we would not recommend providing a CV (unless requested) if you are a fresh graduate, or have less than 5 years’ experience.

1.5 When should a Resume be used for a teaching Job?

Resumes are usually the right option for teachers with less than 5 years’ worth of industry-specific working experience.

1.6 So, should I use a Teaching Resume, or a CV?

9 times out of 10, you are better off submitting a resume. Hong Kong is a fast paced environment, so employers will appreciate brevity and clarity over long-winded and CVs. If you do have any additional information or working documents that won’t fit within the resume, include these in an appendices section.

2.1 Contact Information

Make sure to include all, and the most up-to-date, contact information. This includes permanent address, phone number, email, and possibly a LinkedIn or personal website address if relevant. If you possess a valid visa to work in Hong Kong, state that in this section as well. It is one little fact that can easily put you one step ahead of the competition.

2.2 Summary Section

Summarize your resume in 2 to 3 short sentences. Ensure that you are touching upon each of the items listed in the job description, as these are the points they will be looking to match up as they select candidates for interview.

2.3 Relevant skills

List all of the skills you think a teacher should have. You can go as concrete or as high level as you want with this. But commit it to paper. Look at the job description again and add any new requirements that jump out at you. Now think about the skills you have, and the experiences, anecdotes, or qualifications that directly or indirectly relate to these skills.

2.4 Professional Experience

As a teacher you’re going to be judged on your output. Some of these items may not be quantifiable. But one thing that can be is – student grades and achievements! So focus on how your past teaching experience helped to improve your students’ English in various ways.

Think also of the extra classes and after school homework clubs you helped organize. Was there a particular school play, spelling content or new language program you had initiated or executed? List examples not only of how you took the lead, but how it achieved tangible results.

2.5 Education Background

One of the stipulations for obtaining a working visa in Hong Kong is that you hold a degree, with preference given to professionally relevant subjects. As such employers will be looking at the Education section with an eye on how easy it would be for you to meet the requirements.

2.6 Certifications

Perhaps it goes without saying, but it serves as a necessary reminder. Before you dive into teaching in Hong Kong, it is worthwhile to first set out and obtain the relevant teaching qualifications. In addition to becoming a better teacher, and honing your craft, better qualifications also crosses over into higher pay.

3.1 Prove how well you are aligned to the school

Every teaching job is the same, right? Wrong. Each school and each role will have different requirements and expectations of candidates. Sometimes this will be quite clear – a Montessori school will look for Montessori trained teachers. Take the time to conduct prior research into your chosen school’s standards to gather this vital information. Then, demonstrate how the school’s requirements align well with your skills and background to prove that you are the right person for the job.

3.2 Showcase past initiatives

Teaching is not a 9 – 5 job. Teachers are always spending time at home preparing lessons, marking or completing paperwork. Aside from this, there is always the need to come up with fresh and innovative ideas to engage students. So, impress your prospective employers by showcasing how you have previously gone beyond the scope of your job responsibilities to deliver fantastic results. Whether you previously started an after-school club or educational trips, prove how you are willing to go above and beyond for your students and the school.

3.3 Provide references

This may seem quite self-explanatory, but a reference letter is a critical influencer in any hiring manager’s decision. It may also be a factor that determines whether you get the interview. If for instance a hiring manager notices something that concerns them in your resume, your reference letter may be the one to help them see you in a clearer light. After all, it is always handy to have good references from past employers, or even past students.

3.3 Go further

This is the undefined. We cannot tell you what is exactly required for this, as it will vary with each school and role, and will depend on how you can think out of the box. Essentially, it is about providing something extraordinary, whether it is a video of you teaching a class, an initiative involving new teaching methods, or an activity around a cause that is held strongly by the school or learning centre. The key is to taking the next step to get ahead of your competitors.

So with you resume all sorted, it’s time to go about applying for jobs…

4.1 Does it mention a specific teaching style or focus (e.g. Montessori, Reggio)?

A specific teaching style may suit those who prefer a structured educational environment, but may not be ideal for the more creative teachers.

4.2 How well known is the institution or learning centre?

Aim for institutions that have been established as good schools, to ensure that your experience there will be an asset to your teaching career.

4.3 How does the institution’s application process work?

An inconsistent or complicated application process is an indicator of the school’s processes, which will affect the ease with which you get work done or new ideas implemented.

4.4 Where is the school located? Is it located close to public transport?

Key logistics to think about before you apply for the job, to focus on opportunities that are also practical.

4.5 Does it list an immediate start date? Is this feasible given your visa situation?

One of the more important considerations to ensure you have the proper working permits in Hong Kong.

5.1 Should I write a cover letter?

Absolutely. A resume can only be personalized so much. The cover letter lets you tell the hiring manager how much you want the job and why you’d be the right fit for the school or learning centre.

5.2 When should I write my cover letter?

We cannot stress this point enough. You should only write a cover letter when you have a job that you are applying for so that you can highlight your key achievements and skills that align with the role and school’s requirements. A generic cover letter does not work. In fact, it only showcases your laziness, so avoid it at all costs.

1.1 One-to-one, or panel, interviews

The most frequently occurring of interviews is the one-to-one interview. For a teaching interview, the interviewer is typically the head teacher or head of department. Less common is the panel interview where more than one interviewer is present. These predominantly occur towards the later stage of the interview process, most likely during the third interview.

1.2 Group exercises

Group interviews and exercises are not uncommon in Hong Kong’s schools. This type of interview is used as a means to determine quickly the few teachers that encompass a particular school’s ethos in dealing with children, parents, and other faculty members, and therefore can move on to the next round.

1.3 Written tests

As an English teacher, your ability to read, write, and teach English to a fluent or native level will be assessed. As such written tests and exercises may be utilised to assess your writing style and the general level of your English writing skills.

1.4 Subject-specific tasks

These tasks can include specific teaching scenarios. For example, an interviewer may ask you to demonstrate how you would help a struggling child to understand how to construct their writing into paragraphs. These tasks help the head teacher, or hiring manager, to get a better understanding of how you process day-to-day teaching situations.

2.1 Prepare examples

Always, always, always prepare examples of previous teaching experience which shows how you dealt with difficult students, situations, triumphs, failures, stress, pressure, etc. They want to know not just what you’ve written on your CV, or the qualifications you have, but also practical examples.

2.2 Prepare your answer to the question: “Why do you want to work here?”

Stay away from the generic answers involving how your skills match the role’s requirements. Think about why this role and specifically, why this school or learning centre. More specifically, what is it about them that prompted you to apply for a role there? Is it the culture, teaching style or method fit? A clear, honest and well thought out answer will make you the front-runner.

2.3 Read the job description again

The job description essentially a checklist of everything they are looking for in a candidate, both for the specific job being advertised, and for the company culture fit overall. So use this checklist and wow them by addressing each of the items they are looking for. The goal is for them to tick off every item in the job description in order to decide whether to invite you back for a second interview, so make it easy for them to do so.

2.4 Read your resume and cover letter again

Never ever forget to do this! Make sure that you remember exactly what you said, the numbers you quoted, the achievements you outlined and references you listed. Remember these to avoid long pauses as you think of the answer. If you’ve listed facts and figures on your resume, these should be supported in the interview, otherwise you may very well lose the chance of progressing to the next round.

2.5 Dress to impress

Keep it professional enough to show you are serious about the job, but also casual enough to showcase that you are not too rigid to adapt to different environments. To give you a scale, a suit and tie may be on the extreme end, while jeans and a hooded jacket may be too casual. Try to strike a balance and go with a smart casual attire.

2.6 Read up on current educational trends and news

Never go into an interview telling the interviewer that teaching is your life, only to falter when questioned on the latest developments in the industry. Even a hint of uncertainty or confusion around some teaching methodologies can wipe your chances of getting the job. So, if teaching is really the path you want to pursue, be familiar with what’s happening in the industry and ensure that it is relevant to the school or learning centre you are talking to.

2.7 Get familiar with Hong Kong’s teaching regulations and educational frameworks

Hong Kong’s teaching methodologies can be very different from the teaching frameworks you are used to. So make sure to research Hong Kong’s educational system to ensure you can add some relevant ideas or examples during the interview.

2.8 What questions should you ask in a teaching interview?

If you are unclear on any aspects of the role or the institution, this is a good chance to ask them. For instance, if you are new to teaching, ask if there is a mentor teacher program. However, we would strongly recommend asking about the teaching methodology of the school as this shows both an interest in the position and the school in particular. This will give you a chance to determine whether the school or learning centre is suited to you. Remember, the purpose of the interview is as much them determining how well you would fit their needs, as it is you determining how the role at the school aligns with your goals.

Some potential questions you can also consider asking are:

2.9 Prepare the right answers

We highlight the 5 critical questions that you should most definitely prepare outstanding answers for, in order to come out of your interview smiling.

• Why do you want to teach?
  

  Do you want to teach because it is your passion? You want to help people achieve a level of teaching that was not provided for you? Was there a particular teacher or situation that prompted you to become a teacher? If you have been teaching for years, tell the interviewer why you want to stay in this path.

• What experience do you have?
  

  If you have a lot of relevant experience then you can answer this simply by highlighting your experience. However, things become a little more difficult if you have no prior teaching experience. In this case it is important to frame other experiences you do have such as volunteering to coach children or tutoring and explain how these experiences have made you realise your passion for teaching and how they are relevant to the role’s and school or learning centre’s requirements.

• How is your academic background relevant?
  

  Teaching English requires a certain level of English fluency for one. But that doesn’t necessarily mean only English majors can enter in to teaching in Hong Kong. The opposite may very well be true. Whereby all courses delivered in English guarantee an ability to converse fluently in English, candidates with an academic history in another subject area may be able to bring ideas to improve teaching methodologies. A degree in Psychology, for example, makes a candidate better suited for a role in early childhood education than a candidate from an English Literature background.

• How do you handle pressure?
  

  Teaching is a stressful occupation, one that most definitely comes with pressure, whether from the faculty, school board, students’ parents or even the students themselves. Adding to these is the pressure of being in Hong Kong’s fast paced environment. Before an interview, you need to come armed with examples on how you cope and overcome pressure. It would also be helpful to add some personality traits of yours that correspond to your method of handling pressure. For instance, if you are generally patient, calm and collected, you may add that pressure does not cause you to stress or disrupt your productivity.

• How would you deal with a disruptive student?
  

  Disruptive students can be found in each and every institution, regardless of culture, nationality or age group. So prepare an example of how you had to deal with a disruptive student in the past or how you would overcome the situation should you be faced with it in the future. Would you focus on discipline? Or would you rather try to find something that better engaged the child, and direct their energy to more positive behaviour? If you have no prior teaching experience, try to think back to a time when you had to manage a disruption, in your personal life or your previous career, to show the interviewer that you will be able to manage such situations in the future.

Whilst we’ve highlighted the top teaching interview questions and given you tips on how to answer them, below are additional questions we believe you should also prepare for:

Even with the additional 20 questions listed above, there is no such thing as over-preparing for an interview. Here are some resources around teaching interview questions to help you prepare for all the questions you could be asked.

3.1 Do:

3.2 Don't:

1.1 Employer sponsorship

The first and most important point is that to be eligible to get a working visa in Hong Kong you will need to be sponsored by an employer. This means that you will need to have a job secured before applying for a visa.

1.2 Skills that are not readily available in Hong Kong

Each and every foreign worker in Hong Kong must first prove that they are more qualified to do the job than a local candidate. Please bear in mind that this will differ depending upon the teaching qualifications you have.

1.3 Qualifications

Whilst this isn’t always mandatory, it is most certainly a lot more difficult and time consuming to apply for a teaching position in Hong Kong without holding a relevant degree or qualification. Qualifications, in the case of a visa application, indicate that you are serious about pursuing a career in the field and typically help tip the odds in your favour.