Quick answer: To become a NET in Hong Kong you must complete an accredited course the EDB recognises - at least 100 contact hours for primary or 250 for secondary - plus observed teaching practice (10 hours primary, 20 hours secondary). The course and teaching practice must come from the same provider. Global English TESOL has trained NET candidates for over a decade. Below are the questions we're asked most, grouped into TEFL training, teaching practice and general scheme questions.
We receive a lot of emails that begin: "I'm interested in getting a TEFL/TESOL certification to apply to the NET Scheme in Hong Kong." Thankfully, nine times out of ten we can give candidates the answers they need. To be successful in your application to the Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme, you'll need to complete an accredited course that is acceptable to the Hong Kong Education Bureau (HK EDB). At Global English TESOL we have been training people for the NET Scheme for over a decade on our recognised, flexible online training and teaching-practice programmes. New to the scheme? Start with our 6-step guide to the EDB NET Scheme, then work through the FAQs below.
Online TEFL training for prospective NETs
The EDB says a course must have a minimum of 100 contact hours for primary and 250 for secondary. What are contact hours?
Contact hours are the number of study hours on a course, whether delivered face to face or online. The EDB recognises the ACTDEC-accredited courses run by Global English TESOL as meeting this requirement, so the hours on our certificate count towards your NET application for primary or secondary level.
Why does your primary course have 120 contact hours?
We updated our original 100-hour Teach Hong Kong course to meet newer ACTDEC guidelines, so it retains its Level 3 accreditation. The bonus is that the course now blends class-based and online teaching, which few other online or face-to-face courses offer - useful preparation for the classroom realities of a NET post.
Does the course provide tutor support?
Yes. A personal tutor marks your online coursework and is available for any questions. They also review your teaching-practice lesson plan and your self-evaluation of that lesson, to ensure everything conforms with the EDB HK NET Scheme guidelines before you submit it as part of your application.
I need to meet the EDB deadline. Can I go through the course quickly?
Yes. You can begin as soon as you register and pay. You then work at your own pace, with up to six months to complete the 120-hour course or twelve months for the 250-hour course. Many candidates finish well inside those windows to be ready for the February selection round.
Which course should I register on?
For primary, take the 120-hour Level 3 course. For secondary, take the 250-hour Level 5 course. Remember to add the Hong Kong teaching-practice course at the checkout. For more on our courses, see our general FAQ page.
Teaching practice for the NET Scheme
How does the teaching practice work?
You find a school or volunteer organisation where you can teach or observe lessons for a minimum of 10 hours (primary) or 20 hours (secondary). You enrol on the same teaching-practice programme for both schemes; if you need 20 hours you simply extend the teaching on your timesheet. It's the same price.
Can my teaching practice be online?
Yes. Online teaching still counts towards your teaching practice, provided it is observed by a qualified English language teacher. This became common during lockdown and remains widely accepted; always check the current EDB requirements, as guidance can be updated from year to year.
Can I backdate teaching practice to lessons I've already given?
No, sorry. Teaching practice can only be counted after you have registered onto a course with us. Lessons you taught before enrolling don't qualify, so plan to complete your observed hours during your study period rather than relying on past experience.
I'm already teaching in a school. Can I do my teaching practice there?
Yes, as long as it is observed by an experienced English teacher and the school is happy for you to do so. This is often the most convenient route if you already work in a kindergarten, primary or secondary school in Hong Kong or elsewhere.
Who can observe my teaching?
It should be an experienced English language teacher - often the Director of Studies or a senior English teacher in a language school. It can also be a colleague, provided they have English-teaching experience and can offer you observation and constructive feedback on your lessons.
Can I take my teaching practice in a primary or secondary school?
Yes, in either, so long as the observation criteria above are met. Choose the setting that best matches the level you intend to apply for - primary practice for an EPTNET application, or secondary practice for an SNET application, wherever practical.
How do I access the teaching-practice paperwork?
All the forms are downloadable from your Global English TESOL student area as soon as you enrol. Get the agreement with your school signed, upload it to us, and you're ready to start recording your observed hours on the official timesheet.
I already have a TEFL/TESOL qualification. Can I just do the teaching practice with you?
Unfortunately not. The EDB requires the course and teaching practice to come from the same educational establishment, so you'll need to retrain on our online course component. The good news is you can take the teaching practice at the same time, as the two run concurrently.
Where can I enrol for the teaching practice?
Just add the 10-hour Hong Kong teaching-practice course to your basket alongside your main course. If you're aiming at secondary level, you simply log the extra hours on the same programme to reach the 20-hour requirement.
General questions on the NET Scheme
How do I prove to the EDB that I've done the contact hours and teaching practice?
On successful completion, Global English TESOL provides a composite certificate showing the number of hours taught, including your teaching practice. If a transcript is required we can supply one for a small additional cost, and we're happy to confirm to the EDB by email that you are registered on a course with us.
When did the NET Scheme begin?
To enhance English teaching and increase students' exposure to the language, the Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme started in public-sector secondary schools in 1998/99, and was then extended to primary schools from 2002/03. Both the secondary (SNET) and primary (EPTNET) schemes continue today.
When are decisions on NET candidates made?
Most candidates are selected in February and March each year, so you'll need your qualifications ready well in advance. Applications generally open in the autumn and are shortlisted over the winter, with placements and visas finalised across the summer for a September start.
Where to go next
Ready to take the next step? Choose your route and get qualified:
- Applying for a secondary post? Read how to get a secondary-school NET job in Hong Kong.
- Preparing for selection? See our guide to acing your NET Scheme interview.
- Weighing up the move? Explore teaching English in Hong Kong.
For more on training for the NET Scheme with Global English TESOL, email us here. We'd love to help you get qualified and succeed as a NET next year. For the official detail, see the EDB's NET Scheme pages.