Recruitment of Native-speaking English Teachers (NETs) for Primary and Secondary Schools in Hong Kong

The Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region cordially invites you to apply for the NET positions in the Government, and the Government aided primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong.

ROLE
NETs are required to teach English as a second language to Hong Kong students and assist in teacher and curriculum development in primary schools (for students aged between 6 and 12), secondary schools (for students aged between 12 and 19) and schools for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT

Applicants should be native-speakers of English or possess native-speaker English competence.^{Note 1}

The applicants should possess:

(A) For secondary school NETs

(i)    A bachelor’s degree majoring in English Language or English Literature or English Studies or Linguistics** or a Modern Language** OR a Bachelor of Education degree (majoring in English or a Modern Language** but not primary education specialist) obtained after 3 years’ full-time study from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii)   A Post-graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) majoring in English or equivalent; and

(iii)  At least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at secondary school level or above.

• Applicants who possess a bachelor’s degree in other academic subjects but with a PGDE or equivalent AND a Teaching English as a Foreign Language or a Second Language (TEFL/TESL) qualification preferably at diploma level AND at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English at secondary school level or above may also apply.

(B) For primary school NETs

(i)    A bachelor’s degree majoring in English Language or English Literature or English Studies or Linguistics** or a Modern Language** from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii)   A recognized teacher training qualification in primary education; and

(iii)  A TEFL/TESL qualification at least at certificate level, or an equivalent course of study recognised by EDB.

** A degree in Linguistics or Modern Languages should be one in which English is the major language studies.

For appointment in schools for students with SEN, preference will be given to candidates who have special education training and/or experience in teaching students with SEN.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT

• The appointment will normally be on a two-year contract from 16 August 2011 to 15 August 2013, subject to the school’s actual offer.

• The salary scales are:
  • For secondary school NETs – from around HK$20,950 to HK$48,670 (*approx. USD2,686 to USD6,240) per month (12 months a year).
  • For primary school NETs – from around HK$20,950 to HK$40,515 (*approx. USD2,686 to USD5,194) per month (12 months a year).
    
    
• End-of-contract gratuity equals to 15% of total basic salary received minus the employer’s contribution to the Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme may be granted subject to the employing school’s recommendation.
  
  
• Subject to the employing school’s recommendation, a cash retention incentive equals to 5% OR 10 % of basic salary may be provided to eligible NETs for the satisfactory completion of the third and fourth year OR the fifth year of continuous service onwards in Hong Kong respectively.  The incentive is not payable for the first two years’ of continuous service.
  
  
• Passage, baggage and medical allowances AND a special allowance of HK$14,245 (*approx. USD1,826) per month are provided for appointees whose normal place of residence is outside Hong Kong.  (A NET will not be eligible for the special allowance if his/her spouse is currently receiving the same allowance or any housing benefit from his/her own employer.)
  
  
• The salary, the terms and conditions of service to be offered are subject to the candidate’s qualifications and post-qualification teaching experience and the prevailing conditions at the time the offer of appointment is made.

* Based on exchange rate HK$7.8 = USD1 (subject to fluctuation).

APPLICATION
Applicants applying for the above positions in both primary and secondary schools should complete separate application forms for each position and mail/fax the completed application forms to the following address not later than 28 February 2011.

NET Administration Team, Teacher Administration Section,
Education Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
Room 1321, 13th floor Wu Chung House,
213 Queen’s Road East,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Fax No: (852) 2123 1239
Email address: netrecruit@edb.gov.hk

Standard application forms and further information are available from the link below: http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=262&langno=1 

Note 1:
Native speakers of English are people who acquire the language in infancy and develop the language through adolescenceand adulthood within a community where English is spoken as the first language.  Native-speaker English competence refers to the ability to use English fluently and spontaneously, to give grammatically accurate responses in communication and to write or speak creatively.
Non-native speakers of English, i.e. people who have not acquired the language in early childhood, are also suitable for employment as NETs if their English competence is not different from that of native-speakers in terms of fluency, accuracy and creativity in language use.

General Notes:
You are required to produce documentary evidence of having/not having been found guilty of criminal offence (e.g. Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC)) from the countries/cities where you have resided.

Personal data provided by job applications will be used strictly in accordance with this Bureau’s personal data policies, a copy of which will be provided immediately upon request. You may contact the NET Administration Team at Room 1321, 13/F, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.