Do I have a chance at moving to HK?

Hey all!

I'm new here and this is my first post so be nice :-)


I travelled to Hong Kong for a couple of months about a year ago and was blown away, the experience has resonated deeper than ever since returning to England and getting stuck in a rut.


I have a degree in Film and experience in the film industry, having previously lived in London for four years. With my career at a standstill and the likelihood of it kick starting anytime soon remaining slim I am looking into a move to HK!


Every single position I've seen within the HK film industry requires knowledge of Cantonese. Mine is zero. So I've hit on the plan of moving to HK to teach English for a year, during which I can learn Cantonese and simultaneously find a way of getting my foot in the door of the film industry.


As my education and experiences lie within film I'd be going into the teaching sector entirely fresh. I'm planning on beginning a TEFL course soon and hope that this, alongside my BA and knowledge of English may be enough to secure a teaching position and a sponsored Visa.

Just to be even more ambitious, I'd be aiming to leave the UK and begin life and work in HK in January 2012, so approximately 9 weeks away.


Is this possible?

Is the plan even feasible?

Do I have any chance of this whatsoever?


Although teaching would be a stopgap, I'd be extremely passionate and dedicated to the role and can see myself being quite successful within it, for what it's worth.

Many thanks for any advice you guys can provide!

Finding a place in the local film industry is very hard. Firstly, the locals here are very hard-working, have high technical expertise and speak and read Chinese and English. You have to ask yourself why they are going to hire you - the government will also ask this question when it comes to a work visa. Occasionally Cantonese-speaking westerners do turn up as actors in local soaps but they have a very high standard of the language (usually they were born here). However, they probably have full-time jobs and just do the acting for pocket money. Teaching may be possible but it pays a pittance unless you are properly qualified (BA (Hons) in English, linguistics or Modern languages plus PGCE teaching qualification plus TEFL qualification plus experience) and getting a working visa will not be easy. If you choose this route and do not upgrade your skills quickly then you will be in a huge rut with no income and no prospects. I would suggest getting more media experience in the UK and studying a part-time English or law degree. If you really must come to HK then perhaps you can into to one of the universities here to study. This will cost money but if you are young enough you may be entitled, in some cases, to a work visa. HK is very expensive. Most westerners here have been posted from overseas, turning up on spec is no longer possible unless you have a million US dollars in the bank (investment visa). To check the different types of visa go to the government http://www.gov.hk and look for the Immigration Department.

Antony, why not try teaching drama. Try contacting Idy Lam Email: idy@DramaticEnglish.com This company has sponsored quite a few actor/teachers in the past few years!( I even think it's owned by an famous actor, could be wrong there)

As for the first comment from Loyd, I disagree. You can earn far more than in the U.K. Your qauli coupled with a CELTA/TESL will get you in. You can live on one of the islands or in the N.T. I own my own flat now and have never been out of work for 16 years! It's so easy. One thing I advise is don't come out without a job. Immigration don't like you applying when you are here. It's not impossible, but they frown upon it! All the best mate!

Many thanks guys for initially knocking all of the optimism out of me before building it back up. Heh.

I say that in jest as I do truly appreciate some honesty and reality, my fantasies do tend get the better of me at times!

Entering the HK film industry is indeed a fairly pie-in-the-sky idea though would actually be entirely secondary to simply moving to HK and being able to eek out a living of some kind. In England with the death of the UK Film Council media jobs are rapidly increasing in their scarcity and there's not a lot more besides (I'm working in sales now for example) so the change of environment alone would do wonders for my morale and wellbeing at the current time anyhow.


Regarding HK and general employment:

I did visit a year ago and, with no intentions of settling there but spurred on by the suggestions of others, I did see how the job market was for English teaching.

I should clarify that I was there in September as the school term was beginning so it may have just been a case of 'right time-right place' more than anything but..... I applied for five positions and the following week I had interviews scheduled for three of them and was offered two, in both cases visa sponsorship was said to be "no problem."


I'm still kicking myself that I didn't take either but I was running out of funds (I left HK 2 weeks later) and so wouldn't have been able to support myself for another month or two whilst waiting for the visa process.

It's with this experience in mind, coupled with the fact that I'd be travelling back with enough to support myself for 4-5 months if need be, would now be TEFL qualified and actively trying to get a job (my previous search was again led by curiosity rather than necessity) that I seem fairly confident in landing something should I just go. My partner (who is settled in HK and is a major factor in my move) has also taught there before at a couple of schools so I could leech off of her contacts too.


This 'plan' (of sorts) does run contrary to your advice though Hugie but I've often read that it's incredibly difficult to land a job in HK without actually being in HK so I'm torn as it seems I'll be damned if I do turn up on a tourist visa looking for work but similarly damned if I don't…..?


HUGE thanks for the drama suggestion and contact! Stupidly I hadn't even thought of looking for drama work alongside English work, both of which I'd imagine I'd be equally adept at teaching.

How much is rent (in general) out in the NT or on Lamma?


I'm going to get my TEFL course started ASAP (please somebody confirm that doing one online is as legitimate in an employability sense as doing one on location) and see what I can drum up between now and christmas. By the time the new year swings around I may just be tempted to go out there and see how I go, the back-up plan being to move to nearby Shenzhen which seems to be crawling with English work at the moment should nothing in HK materialise.


I fully expect you all to tear strips off me for how incredibly unrealistic and naive I'm being btw but I feel I'm wasting away here in the UK :-)

Sounds like you've made your mind up and good luck to you (and I mean that). However, try to upgrade your qualifications otherwise you may have this hand-to-mouth existence in middle age which is less fun when you have kids etc. Yes, I know I'm talking like a parent.

Heh, whilst on the point of money, how much is 'ok' to ask for going in, seeing as how for every job in HK it seems it's your duty to tell the employer what the pay should be?

Is $15,000 too much for an entry-level beginner English teacher?

' but I feel I'm wasting away here in the UK :-)'

Funny, after realising that good earnings are not everything,I feel the same here. How I miss England.

I would say HK$15,000 a month is way too much for an English teacher with no formal qualifications. But then again, there may be a real shortage in the industry. Perhaps HK$10,000 - if lucky - is my guess. But could definitely be wrong. Any English- language teachers out there?

I'm another one of these "unrealistic and naive" people as you say, desperate for a move to HK asap (also hugely because of my partner now living there) that also thought it would be quite simple to move and teach english. The more I look at all jobs on the net however, it seems a simple TEFL wont fit the minimum requirements? Greatly disheartened and upset that it seems near impossible to find work, please let me know how you go...

I dont hav a degree,just my school certs, I get 20k a month and double it with my tutoring! Loyd! 10k is partime teacher salary!



Antony, I guess I wasn't clear about getting a job first. I meant come out, get an offer, start the process and go back to the U.K and wait. Sorry to confuse. Also check out www.gohome.com.hk you will see flats for rent all over HK. Where I live is still cheap. About 6K for a village house 700sq ft. You can a small flat in Shatin for 5k plus. Or a real dive for 3K. I bought mine,so only pay 5k mortgage!

i am the head of the english team at a local private chinese kindergarten. immigration expects that applicants have at least a TEFL/TESL/CELTA to receive a work visa and a degree and a TEFL/TESL/CELTA is even better. salaries offered for the teachers have ranged from 16K-21K depending on qualifications and experience. i have never had anyone denied a work visa in the seven years i have been in my position. for teachers that want to teach in a government school they must have all of the qualifications to become a registered teacher with the EDB.

Ok clear a few things up. Immigration will give a visa if you earn 15-16k, I know two teachers who have just got a visa on that salary (teaching drama). I live in a village house, bran new two years ago. I paid a huge down payment cuss the banks were only lending 50-60% so I only pay 5K mortgage. A two story flat ( I mean illegal structure, but a beautiful design) behind me is up for rent, 10K! Middle flats are 5-6K. A duplex in the same complex just rented for 15K. Another friend just got a top floor flat in Lam Tsuen 5.5K.


@ WonTonNom, are you saying I'm just anyone!! =;-) Hahah! you are right, the websites are inaccurate, but on the other hand, I found my flat on gohome.com it was advertised at $2m! I got it for $1.6. I live in a village where the local shop is cheaper than Park n Shop, everyone knows my name and my family member's names, my son speaks cantonese and plays with the local kids (even tho neither I or my wife are from HK) we have a river where we paddle with the dog, and organic farms where we buy all our veg, straight out of the ground, we are 10mins walk to the country park. The minibus driver waits for me in the morning if I'm a few mins late. Lovely place to live!


Shatin has flats for around 5-6k. A NET in my school rented a 500sq ft single story for 5.5K, it has a yard and it's own moat with bridge! If you want high rise then yes you will have to pay more. Although there are some flats in Golden lion Tai wai going for 6k!


You are also right about not being able to work for other companies! I forgot about that. I have had my job for 12 years, I was here before the handover so yes it was easier! Where do you live WonTonNom?

'i am the head of the english team at a local private chinese...'

Mmmmm!

ahhh, i knew someone would have something to say about my post! i am not in teacher mode. i am posting in a forum. sharing my experience for the op. nothin formal or correct going on in my post.


feel free to play teacher and correct it!

'feel free to play teacher'- Excuse me?


How can anyone in education be a part time grammarian? It's your responsibility, if of course you are what you say you are, to be consistent. Given the fact that you work with small children most likely contributes to why most of our students are almost illiterate at high school and tertiary level English. One of the major problems in this city- is chancers working in industries they shouldn’t.

Just kiddin mate! No problem with your comment! It took me a year to find my flat. Yes, dogs barking but we are in a gated area, with electric gates so not part of a 'village' as such. There are six blocks of three floors, we have a residents group and all pay for and do the DIY. Bit like communism really!! Ha! Shatin is not cheap. I left there 2 years ago because I was looking at paying 9k for a village hse. But as I said my friends place was kool! Just 5.5K. near Royal Ascot. he has left now. So I guess you can find some real gems. On the other hand my other friend pays $1500 for a tin hut in Pai Tau Chuen.


@ TUNE, what side of the bed did you get out of today, or is your flat so small you only have one choice every day!?


@ Madam x, thanx for your contribution, very interesting.

[M.X] Thank you for your edifying reply, it rests my case.

You are not a teacher; however, you are probably a nice person who likes to work with little children.

I don't currently have a degree, any form of TEFL certification, nor am I especially learned in English grammar, or even in teaching. Even considering this, I work about 15 hours a week, making me about $15,000 a month. When I first came here and started working, almost 1 year ago, I made upwards of $25,000/month.


The trick? I really don't know, but I suspect that it is because I show up to contracts on time, clean, shaven, dressed smartly, and the children generally enjoy my classes. In my experience, as long as you can complete contracts, you will continue to get contracts.


With that said, it is always wise to improve. I have now managed to get enrolled in a school in the US to finish my AA, as well as a local university to finish my BA, and even an HKBOE recognised TEFL certificate.


I can also attest that I know a fair few expat teachers like me that use the flexability to persue their other dreams and interests. One of them helps bring indie bands to do shows in HK, another is a documentry film maker perfecting his craft.


My recommendation, if you haven't already come here, enroll in the Cambridge or Trinity super-special English certification programs and post on places like Gumtree HK and see if you can get something.