Hong Kong is made up of a scattering of Islands around the Kowloon Peninsula which connects to mainland China. Hong Kong is an amazing place to live and work as an English teacher and lots of local companies recruit international staff all year round.
Teaching Jobs in Hong Kong
You can find TEFL jobs with private, international and language schools. Other options can include teaching business English to corporate clients and giving private lessons.
These companies are hiring teachers to work in Hong Kong now:
• English Excel
• Experior Asia
FAQ
Requirements
Usually:
• A bachelor’s degree (in any field)
• Be a native English speaker
• A TEFL certification
Salary
As a TEFL teach you can expect to make around $2,000 – $3,000 USD (17,500 – 23,000 HKD) per month, depending on the employer.
Visas
Entry visas are generally freely given on arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, and visas to enter China can be obtained in Hong Kong (but take around 3 days for processing). Work permits should be arranged by the school/institution which employs you.
Hong Kong Destination Guide
Quick Stats
Population: 6.7 million
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8 (Hong Kong Standard Time), +7 during summer months.
Telephone Area Code: 852
Where is Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is located in Eastern Asia, on the South China Sea bordering China.
Weather
Hong Kong ’s climate is tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall. The terrain is hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in the north.
History
Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its “one country, two systems” formula, China’s socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.
Money
The currency of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar. (Currency code: HKD)
Denominations:
Notes: HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, HK$1000
Coins: 5 cents (rarely seen or used but still legal tender); 10 cents; 20 cents (scalloped edge); 50 cents (all these are bronze, when new look like “gold coins”); $1, $2 (scalloped edge); $5 (these are “silver”) and $10 (“silver outer rim with a bronze center”).
Accommodation
Short term:
Budget: HK$100 – 400 (Most of these are around the Tsimshatsui area. If you are desperate for somewhere cheap, the most likely option is the infamous Chunking Mansion on Nathan Road. Other options are the youth hostels which are cheap and reliable).
Low end: HK$500-1500
Mid-range: HK$1500-2000 (although these hotels are much cheaper out of season)
High-end: HK$2000-3000
Luxury: HK$3000 and up.
Long term:
The Asian financial crisis, from which Hong Kong has never fully recovered, combined with the severe economic damage caused by SARS, means prices have gone down considerably, making it more affordable to live.
Schools sometimes offer accommodation in the package, which is an added bonus, but tales abound of teachers being left in slum-like squalor. A very simple solution to the accommodation problem would be to use agents like rent-a-room which offers decent accommodation for as little as US$350 a month on short leases. That would provide a decent base from which to start looking around for something more permanent.
Serviced apartments usually start at around HK$15000 a month, although cheaper options are available in the New Territories.
Smaller apartments (around 500 sq/ft) cost around HK$7000. These apartments were originally designed as a 2-room – very small rooms. So perhaps 2 can share an apartment. Transportation is no problem at all, to anywhere. The locals pay much attention to the direction an apartment faces. Similar apartments in quality, size etc will cost MUCH more when facing East, South-east or South. This is part of the fung-shui principle.
Most apartments in HK are let unfurnished although if one prefers, one can always rent what is called ‘service apartments’.
Public Holidays
• 1 Jan – New Year’s Day9-11 February – Chinese New Year25 March – Good Friday
• 28 March – Easter Monday
• 2 April – Labour Day (additional holiday)
• 16 May – Buddha’s Birthday (additional holiday)
• 11 June – Tuen Ng Festiva
• l1 Jul – Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day
• 19 September – Mid Autumn Festival (Lantern Festival)
• 1 October – National Day
• 11 October – Cheung Yueng25 Dec – Christmas Day26 Dec – Boxing Day
Living in Hong Kong
Hong Kong island is where it all seems to happen – tall skyscrapers, lots of busy hard working people and endless amounts of money. Check out the Central Market, and Man Mo temple and the 800m outdoor escalator down to the harbour. Aberdeen Harbour holds the delight of countless Chinese junks, have a tour or eat on one of the floating restaurants. Beaches like Stanley and Repulse Bay on the southern side of the island are attractive, though often busy.
Kowloon is a great shopping district and the night life happens here too. There is a lively night market on Temple Street, and you could pay a visit to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Space Museum. The Promenade has lovely views of Victoria Harbour, especially in the evening.
Don’t miss the majestic views from the top of Victoria peak – and see the whole world. Although the new Territories is mostly dedicated to accommodation, the Sai Kung Peninsula is a pleasant break for hikers and boaters. There are plenty of other green spots here worth investigating if you find yourself tired of the human crush.
There are over 200 islands that make up Hong Kong and many of them are unspoilt. Lantau Island houses some fascinating monasteries, and Cheung Chau is making a name for itself as a tourist destination. And don’t forget, it’s just a hop away to the rest of China.
Hong Kong TEFL Reviews & Testimonials
If you have been to teach in Hong Kong and would like to share your experience please contact us.
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