Posted by
ceri
15 yrs ago
I am an expat who has been living in Hong Kong for 13 years and recently working in one of HK's international schools as a classroom assistant. I am interested in obtaining my teaching qualifications, namely a PGCE.
I would like to know if anyone has experience of this course.
I am interested in taking the Primary component of the course.
I haven't heard great things about the course from chat rooms etc, so I would really like to talk to someone who is either currently on the course or has completed it.
I am anxious to know whether this particular course would be considered highly enough to enable me to go on to obtain a teaching job in an international school. I am not interested in teaching in local schools and I have heard that this course is designed primarily for that.
Hoping that someone can tell me differently.
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ltxhk
15 yrs ago
The HKU course is respected and you can enter international school after about 2 years of teaching experience (usually at local level). If you are already working in an international school as a CA then you may be able to enter the "quasi-international" schools such as Victoria etc. Rarely do the established international schools hire anyone as a classroom teacher without at least a few years experience (even if the qualification is from overseas); they want some experience/ record.
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i applied for the HKU Primary PGDE for the past 2 years and was told that because of the very high number of local school (NET) applicants, I would NOT be accepted (I work in an IS currently, for the past 4 years...). The course focusses on the pedagogy of the local curriculum, so TA's in international schools typically are the last applicants to get chosen (if there is any room left, which has not been the case for the past few years...it is highly oversubscribed each year). You might have better luck at HKBU, CUHK or HKIED (though these quals are not as highly regarded).
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ceri
15 yrs ago
Thanks for your prompt replies guys/girls? Looks like i'll have to do a bit more investigation into this. I have a friend who did the PGCE at HKU and who is now teaching in the ESF system, but he studied for Secondary teaching and for some reason, this seems to be more highly thought of than the Primary element of the course - don't know why? The main problem for me is that I have a family (two young children) and therefore it's not really feasible for me to study anywhere other than in HK. I'd obviously consider a distance learning course, although undertaking the practical element of any such course and teaching observation would be tricky. I can't really think of a way around this and don't want to be stuck in a TA position for ever.
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what is your first degree in?
Would a B.Ed not be better and looked upon more favourably?
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If you have a degree the Open University do a PCG course which is recognised by the Education Department.
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I have completed a PGDE from HKU and my understanding is that the primary one is for teachers of English (i.e. you only learn how to teach English) while the secondary one you need to be a subject teacher. I have also heard that it is very competitive to get into all the PGDE majors now but I did have an ESF assistant teacher on my course.
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I know this post was written around 4 years ago.
But i am also looking into this issue . Ceri if you happen to get this please advice as to what steps you took or if you took on weather or not you took a PGCE or PGDE course (primary) in Hong Kong? Or a distance learning course. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
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Well, Interesting topic. I finished my pgde from HKU and just got my teacher registration done today. Well Its true that international schools don't care about the certificates all they require is the experience unless required by government. Which is for expats in hk required. Good distance learning programmes some of my colleagues are doing are sunny programme and at sunderland. Yes, the study in Hk is cheap but not educational as it is on local context. Most of the pedagogies are already in practice by international school teachers. It is also exhausting as you have to travel from work to the uni. But it also has strengths as you get to make new friends and expand your network among new teachers in hong kong. Every story has good and bad part. I still think my PGDE in hku is still well worth it.
Rest is up to you.
Regards,
Green
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Hi! Troubling u guys agian after so long time.
I have my B.Ed degree, do i still need to PGDCE, to get better teaching job n career in hk. I already have two years experience in Hk. Also i looked into Sunderland website for online degrees, is there any other universities which offer online studies and is recognised by Hk Edb.
Waiting for your replies.
Thanks
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Hi REEMA82. I did my Post Graduate Diploma in Education 2 years ago (HKU). Pls. send me a message if you need any advice.
I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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