Press Release - December 5, 2003
The Education and Manpower Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (December 5) launched a global exercise to recruit native-speaking English teachers (NETs) on a two-year contract commencing in August 2004.

Speaking on the recruitment exercise, Mr Chris Wardlaw, Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower, said that most of the NETs had chosen to renew their contract, if offered, on completion of the two-year service term.

'Most of our NETs on balance find their working experience in Hong Kong rewarding. On average three out of four NETs chose, when offered, to have their contract renewed in the past few years. The remainder have not renewed according to their professional and personal or family plans.'

'We are pleased to note that more and more prospective NETs are interested in teaching in Hong Kong,' he added.

At the beginning of the current school year, some 785 NETs were serving in local schools. The majority of them (335) came from Australia, followed by 142 from Canada and 140 from the United Kingdom.

The bureau estimated that some 150 NETs would be needed under the Native-speaking English Teachers and English Language Teaching Assistant Scheme for primary schools, and Enhanced Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme for secondary schools for the 2004/05 school year.

NETs are tasked to teach English as a second language to Chinese students and assist in teacher and curriculum development in Government and aided primary schools (equivalent to US Grades 1-6) and secondary schools (equivalent to US Grades 7-12) as well as schools for students with special educational needs in Hong Kong.

To facilitate overseas applicants, the Bureau has set up a designated page on its website (http//:www.netscheme.org.hk) where information on the recruitment exercise and the application form are available for downloading. It is supplemented by advertising campaigns in Hong Kong and by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Candidates who are interested in the NET positions must be native English speakers or possess native-speaker English competence and should have:

(A) For secondary school NETs
- 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; and

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

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

(B) For primary school NETs

- A bachelor's degree majoring in English Language or English Literature or English Studies or Linguistics or a Modern Language or any subject; and

- A recognised teacher training qualification in primary education; and

- A Teaching of English as a Foreign Language or a Second Language (TEFL/TESL) qualification at least at certificate level.

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

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

Secondary NETs will receive from around HK$199,596 to HK$542,556 (US$25,645 to US$69,710) per year and primary NETs will receive from around HK$199,596 to HK$451,620 (US$25,645 to US$58,026) per year. Increments will be awarded for recognised post-degree teaching experience.

A special allowance at around HK$10,500 (US$1,349) per month, free passages and baggage and medical allowances will be provided. The special allowance is adjustable in accordance with the rental price index in Hong Kong and the exact rate to be offered is subject to further confirmation. Subject to satisfactory completion of the contract, the NETs will receive a gratuity of 15 per cent of total basic salary on completion of the contract.

For enquiries, please visit the designated website or the Bureau's Special Duties Section at Room 3208A, 32nd floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, or contact the office by phone on (852) 2126 5296 or (852) 2126 5207 or (852) 2126 5297, or by fax on (852) 2116 0531 or (852) 2123 1239, or via e-mail ([email protected]). The deadline for application is January 16, 2004.

The NET Scheme was launched in all public sector secondary schools in the 1998/99 school year. As announced in the Policy Address 2001, the Scheme has been extended to public sector primary schools in the 2002/03 school year.