Quick answer: Global English graduate Nandi has taught in Hong Kong kindergarten, primary and secondary schools through an agency for four years and has just interviewed for a government NET post. NET teachers earn more than assistants and enjoy housing, travel, medical and pension benefits plus longer contracts - which is why the competitive application is worth it. Her advice for newcomers: do your research, get out and socialise early, and get an EDB-recognised qualification before you apply.
Global English TESOL graduate Nandi has worked in Hong Kong as an English Language Teaching Assistant in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools for the past four years. Here she describes working through an agency and her hopes of being employed as a NET (Native English Teacher) under the Hong Kong Education Bureau's (EDB) scheme - a competitive process leading to well-paid, prestigious teaching roles in mainstream schools. If you're weighing up the same path, our 6-step guide to the EDB NET Scheme is a good place to start.
What teaching have you been doing in Hong Kong?
Nandi: Hello, my name is Nandi and I'm from South Africa. I've worked through the agency Eureka Language Services since my early days in Hong Kong, in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. My first experience here was in kindergarten, co-teaching with local Chinese teachers. I was new to classes of up to 56 students, but luckily there were experienced teachers in every corner of the room to help. I taught phonics, reading and led play groups - and learned a lot of patience. In my previous primary school I taught the EDB's PLPRW (Primary Literacy Programme – Reading/Writing), where students learn phonics, high-frequency words, chants, sequencing and new vocabulary through shared reading. I ran extracurricular lessons in creative writing, reading and radio, and I now work in a secondary school after completing my PGCE.
What is the visa situation like?
Nandi: I'm permitted to work provided I have a valid work visa. My agent sponsors it yearly, and my wish has always been for a longer visa that would grant my family a longer stay. A month before it expires, the agent prepares documents for me to sign and submit to immigration. If all goes well, as it always has, my visa is ready for collection in three weeks.
Is the competitive NET application worth it?
Nandi: A big yes. I feel I do just as much as the EDB NET teacher in my school - I co-teach all my lessons with my school's NET. But NETs get more involved in the school's planning, develop the curriculum more fully, attend workshops and get more training. So they have real development opportunities, and they earn far more than we assistants. They also enjoy housing benefits, longer contracts, travel benefits, and medical and pension benefits. For the official criteria, see the EDB's primary NET recruitment page.
Any tips for teachers moving to Hong Kong?
Nandi: It was all a bit of a culture shock at first - food, accommodation, budgeting, making friends and communicating with locals. First, do your research: go on YouTube, join Facebook pages and make acquaintances. Don't be like me and lock yourself away all year! You need a team to set you off on the right foot. I only started socialising in my second year, and that's when I met my husband - if I'd been out and about from the start, I'd have met him earlier. It's also worth reading the current UK foreign travel advice for Hong Kong before you go. Right now, I've just had my interview with the EDB to be a NET, and I'm awaiting the results!
NET Scheme FAQs
What is the difference between a NET and a teaching assistant in Hong Kong?
A Native English Teacher (NET) holds a substantive government post: they plan lessons, develop the English curriculum, attend training and earn on the government pay scale, with housing, travel, medical and pension benefits and longer contracts. Teaching assistants often co-teach alongside a NET through an agency, usually on shorter visas and lower pay.
What qualification do I need to apply for a primary NET post?
You'll need native or near-native English, a degree, and an EDB-recognised TEFL/TESOL qualification of at least 100 contact hours plus observed teaching practice. Global English's 120-hour course with the 10-hour Hong Kong teaching practice is designed to meet the EDB's primary-level criteria.
We wish you every success, Nandi - thanks for sharing your story. Watch the video below for more about our Teach Hong Kong programme with local teaching practice.
Discover the qualification Nandi took: the Teach English in Hong Kong TESOL course, designed to meet the EDB's NET criteria for primary level, and read more real stories in our guide to teaching English in Hong Kong. Why not sign up to our newsletter for early alerts on the latest TESOL news, jobs and offers?