Teaching English In Hong Kong: Salary, Requirements, Expenses & Things To Do

[@andrewcunningham6509]

I've been in Hong Kong over 16 years and I'm a permanent resident now. Been teaching most of my time here at kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, language centers...you name it. Schools are generally crap in my opinion. The salary for NETS here has pretty much stayed the same since I moved here which was around 16 years ago! Fortunately I landed private tutoring so now I can enjoy around $50k hkd per month. I wear a t-shirt, shorts and flip flops and travel around by motorbike. Some may think wow what a slob but I take my job seriously, I always show up on time and I'm prepared so therefore, I keep a full schedule with a waiting list. I live in the New Territories and my rent for a 2 bedroom sizeable ground floor flat with no flats above me (it's a single storey duplex) is hkd$6,800 per month so that's very reasonable. I do like good food though and can easily spend over 200hkd per day but generally speaking, my total monthly expenses are around $20k So...simple math here...50k per month income with 20k expenses Yes it's nice to pocket around 30k per month. I don't go out to bars though but if I did I imagine I'd be saving quite a bit less :)

[@FroiandGeri]

Wow, I envy your rent for a 2 bedroom flat! May I know where in New Territories exactly?

[@andrewcunningham6509]

It's in Yuen Long

[@edwinthomas3437]

Hello Mr. Andrew Can you tell me about the weather situations in Hong Kong? How do you survive during rainy season especially facing typhoon and other difficult situations in HK?

[@andrewcunningham6509]

Raincoat or just cancel lessons and stay in bed. It doesn't happen too often so it isn't a big deal

[@Level84]

It'd be best to temper expectations as your situation is not typical. Most people coming to HK won't get $50k per month, and most people wont find housing for as little as $6800 per month. Also, your expenses are $20k, which is not typical, especially if you're really spending $200 a day on food. After all the taxes and food, I'd be surprised if you weren't already pretty close to that $20k figure you mentioned gone out of the $50k salary. Not saying it's impossible, but VERY not typical, so the average person reading your comment shouldn't get their hopes up.

[@BelligerentStyle]

Visiting HK made me realize how poor I was. It's surely a great place if you have money, and if you don't, the grind is real.

[@ninja.teacher]

Yeah it does that 😆

[@xCherrysi]

Blue Note "

[@bonghungk7544]

If you had money you wouldn’t want to live here long term. Hong Kong is known ... well was known in the past for a place to make money.

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

I once had 5RMB in my pocket whilst in China. ..then I got a loan and stayed another 3 years. Its a journey.

[@christianchamberlain9040]

Hong Kong seems amazing, minus the astronomical cost of living.

[@keilnirby]

I think the hours are a huge deal because a lot of people, Alex included, come to teach with other plans like building a business, art, making music, or whatever, and having the daytime free to do your own thing when you're fresh is really important. So when you have night hours, as is often the case on weekdays in Vietnam, you can get a lot done during the day. Anyone who has ever taught kids knows it's quite difficult to do much besides relax after listening to screaming children for hours. In this sense, the hours of many Vietnam jobs can be seen as an advantage rather than disadvantage for those who are working on side projects.

[@Mezzie8]

This video was highly informative. Whenever I am researching moving to a new city I always have to watch so many videos to get the same information. The info was spot on. Appreciate it :)

[@ninja.teacher]

You're welcome!

[@ztezmaxim2683]

One thing you left out which I think may be relevant is the size of teacher accommodations. Think of a shoebox, not boots, shoes. Add a western level rent. That is accommodations. The size of accommodations is very small and prices are expensive

[@bonghungk7544]

But expats say living in shoe boxes is perfectly ok but once they head back to their western countries they then start saying it’s a miserable experience living like sardines. These people have a story for every situation. The trick is what is it for real your changeable story ??

[@thelionsam]

As a 17 year (so far) NET I can say this guy has things right. Not a place to relax or enjoy an Asian adventure with teaching on the side. Lots of hard work done to strict standards. Come if you enjoy the 'fight' and want to build wealth for you/family. Salary after 17 years is close to HKD 100k pcm including benefits.

[@EduuplayEnglish]

Decent salary man.. Is that with your own business?

[@thelionsam]

Eduuplay - Child Development Just the NET package. 67k basic, 20k housing allowance, plus gratuity, retention incentive and everything else. Totals over 100k pcm.

[@EduuplayEnglish]

@@thelionsam 67K.. Where the heck is that? A prestigious school..? That's pretty high mate. :)

[@thelionsam]

Eduuplay - Child Development just a regular local secondary school. Not much prestige but After 17 years I’ve reached the maximum on the NET payscale.

[@flamer9783]

Don't forget to mention that you need a separate visa to visit China if you are a teacher in Hong Kong!

[@koko20467]

Everyone dresses up in Central. But seeing you wearing suit is a bit strange in TST. 😚

[@Celestialtarotreadings]

Good for shopping only. Rent is crazy and those micro apartments (!) ....no way!

[@bonghungk7544]

Even shopping can be miserable “some” of these shop owners can be real rude twats and have no knowledge about their products being sold. True crazy rent and having to live in noisy dense crowded places and having no space for yourself once you open your front door 🚪 you’ll often run into a non smiling neighbor that won’t even look at you. Welcome to Hong Kong the world’s friendliest place !!!! Not

[@ptiaptia7347]

I heard street foods in HK are the best. My friends (from US) traveled to HK told me :) Thanks so much, Alex, for another great, very helpful video.

[@shaney2479]

yes to that! street foods were awesome! I was there twice last year!

[@trxuvaille6788]

Id live in Shenzhen and visit hong kong whenever I want

[@TuwanaVining]

Are you considering teaching English again, Alex, or just expanding locations for your business? It seems as though the requirements will fit a lot of currently licensed teachers who want to change their environment, but the pay rate may not be enough to live comfortably for those who don't without a roommate or partner sharing costs. It looks like a beautiful place though! Thanks for sharing the info!

[@minhnhatcaovan4256]

I've watch at least 5 videos from Ninja Teacher. I like them. Perhaps, thanks to teachers like you, this Asie region will use English for ever as universal language instead of Chinese Mandarin. If this the case, people will remember you for longtime.

[@VishalDas09]

What's your camera? Great audio quality

[@The88lightangel]

Great video, lovely content! very informative. Has the journalist professional feel about it. Lots of good info covering most aspects of living and working in Hong Kong as an English Teacher. You look and sound a little more relaxed within yourself, as if you are much more in your comfort zone - Whilst filming in Hong Kong - just an observation. Or it may just be the break of going somewhere different, which I know is always exciting and an adventure in itself!...Good work. It's so nice to be able to see the actual content like, shopping malls, shops, buildings, rivers, transport system etc,. of the country or place that is being documented, so we have a real view, of the country... good work! looking forward to the next video!

[@ninja.teacher]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[@Eltercero]

“As you can I’m wearing a suit...in HK every second person is wearing a suit.” In background 10 out of 10 people not wearing a suit. :)

[@euanmorse]

Those are tourists ;)

[@theresaoshaka7339]

Thanks for the video❤️

[@EduuplayEnglish]

Only 7 million population... That fits in 1,108 km2.... That DENSE and INTENSE. So you made a video explaining Hong Kong after only a weeks stay? I think you did rather well. If you are a teacher out from the HK Island.. There's a whole other video there. Maybe I should do one.. :)

[@josephlim8941]

Hong Kong is the most expensive city in the world and certainly not just developing. FYI

[@EduuplayEnglish]

It's slowly going backwards, not to sound pessimistic... but it is..

[@bellbellbear]

@@EduuplayEnglishHong Kong parent paid a lot for their child education , I am paying around US$ 145 per hour for my daughter English teacher , her tennis lesson is US$100 per hour … quite expensive

[@ravipanugothu-gj5ny]

Sir, I am interested to do TEACHING JOB, Could you please, tell me the process ( M.A ENGLISH,B.Ed )

[@clydefrog1487]

Nice one, Alex. Thanks.

[@SharonG_2020]

Interesting find! Keep up. Thanks for sharing.-your NEW SUBSCRIBER here!

[@michaelberegman6086]

Next place, please.

[@kerdonstuart3349]

My girlfriend and I are wanting to go over to hong kong and teach English, the agency we are planning to go through here in South Africa will be placing us with a learning centre, with rent-free accommodation. I know ninja teacher does Vietnam so I was wondering if it would be better to go to Vietnam as you mentioned living in hong kong can be quite pricy?

[@kyharamaharaj4253]

Hey Kerdon! May I ask what recruitment agency are you using? I'm also from South Africa

[@kyharamaharaj4253]

Hey Kerdon! I'm also from South Africa and interested in teaching in HK. What agency are you using?

[@bestly802]

Do they rent out $450 closets?

[@daha8805]

Some wrong advice here. U can easily get ESL jobs in HK with nothing more than a degree + native speaker.

[@Pritha879]

How difficult is it for a non native speaker with TEFL certification?

[@IvanAkinfiev]

Can I study Law in HK and teach English as a Brit?

[@bonghungk7544]

If you’re blond blue eyed with fair complexion and reasonably young with mediocre English or it’s not your mother tongue. You can find English teaching jobs in HK and throughout Asia.

[@phuongweary5433]

Me and my Husband will be going to Hồng Kong in September 2018 Alex

[@calebramouthar2678]

I hear a South African 🇿🇦 accent 😌

[@leigh-jeanterblanche5833]

Steven do you consider teaching in Japan? Geniet dit daar!

[@Yuliana-un9jr]

It's Amazing...!!!

[@bonghungk7544]

It’s amazing Hong Kong if you come from a 3 rd world place or if you come from your parents basement and are starting up in your life.

[@emilyeng5771]

Hey Alex! I found your channel because I am looking to move to hong kong in the next few years. When you mentioned having previous experience teaching english, would teaching experience in the US be desirable experience in the hong kong market? I have never taught english abroad but I currently have 3 years experience in US kindergarten and would be looking for a job in HK starting after my 4th year of teaching in US schools. Just wondering if I would be a competitive candidate or if it would be more realistic to look to other countries first ?

[@tolgacengiz3121]

Hi have you been to hk?

[@jenniferratto9232]

Thanks for such an informative video. I'm NNES and an experienced physics teacher. Will schools in HK consider me as I'm not in HK and will require the school to sponsor visa. Could you tell me frankly if I hold any chance

[@edwinthomas3437]

Thank You so much. Can you tell me about the weather situations in Hong Kong? How do you survive during rainy season especially facing typhoon and other difficult situations in HK?

[@EduuplayEnglish]

Summer is humid and hot as hell. Winter is a nice change.. Autumn - no idea what that is. Spring - When all those vines grow over everything. :P I survived Mangkut typhoon 10+ in Hong Kong, was the worst in a long time. But you prepare for it, you get warned long in advance.. :) Right now is rioting situations... No one can prepare for that, only avoid as much as possible...

[@allenarthurs2043]

Despite its location next to the sea, Hong Kong is a modern city with the worst pollution. Where the wind blows: China's dirty air has become a huge problem for Hong Kong (also for Korea). Visibility is less than 6 kilometres (about 4 miles) most of the time. Cases of asthma and bronchial infections have soared in recent years due to its terrible air quality. In addition, its population density is the worst in the world. Hong Kong has over 7,000 people per square kilometer (0.6 square mile) of land area (India has 445, Germany has 340, Vietnam has 290, and UK has 270). The highest population density has made Hong Kong's pollution become even worse. For many people, especially foreigners, Hong Kong is a nightmare. The worst air pollution has turned Hong Kong - an international city bustling with excitement into a death trap that was slowly poisoning them. Also, Hong Kong has a very high cost of living. Think carefully before making any recommendations, Alex.

[@annbblogs8755]

Allen Arthurs

[@AdamSahr-cj4kf]

You can't compare a city's pollution to that of a country.

[@ggfoxer5382]

As someone wanting to get a TEFL certificate with no prior teaching experience and no college degree, where would you recommend to start?

[@al-manasama8370]

Get a certification in anything else, not worth it, you'll regret it.

[@cameronm2877]

I’m getting my bachelors in English what other requirements do you need to teach English abroad

[@user-qm5ol8ub2y]

Consider a TEFL certification too, usually you wont need much besides a bachelors degree to teach english abroad, but a TEFL will usually help

[@candyng5929]

a girl from hong kong here

[@dhanrajkumar-zz2uk]

Hey

[@sudiptasarbajna6467]

What is the chance of getting English teaching job in Hong Kong for a non-native speaker having TEFL certificate?

[@Miss_Chanelle]

I’ve vacationed in Hong Kong but I would never live or work there.

[@fradulantgates938]

Chanelle Petersen I know rent is tò high pollution too much shops

[@裴昌程你挺恶心的]

Chanelle Petersen because you are poor?

[@cooliipie]

Same

[@cooliipie]

Maybe I would in the more rural area

[@juniordunkley5298]

Smart oerson

[@Nicole-ss8jj]

What do you think about chatteris

[@youtubeuser6732]

How can u help me plz ! Wanna join this company ???

[@asandamaishi7078]

what agency did you sign under

[@bonghungk7544]

The Hong Kong Net teaching program is out dated and should be revamped. They should pick a standardize English accent and select higher grade teachers. The present way of hiring of net teachers is spotty at best. I’ve personally met enough Net teachers to know some of them go overseas because they’re a bit abnormal and are going overseas to find themselves.

[@mmmhui6358]

Do you have local PGDE?

[@zaysatori6185]

We “outchea” 😎

[@paraminojorack5781]

Apartment for rent in Hong Kong. Nov 7, 2017- Les Saisons $44000 /month 3br - 86m2

[@joshwion2014]

$44000/month for a 3-bedroom apartment? You must be kidding! I can rent a luxury 5 bedroom villa in Vietnam for $7000/month.

[@alexyip3569]

Josh Voklisko how could you compare Vietnam to HongKong too funny

[@sweetj692]

Are they looking for “North American” English or the queens tongue as it were, would think it was North America as that’s who they sell to the most, I love both Btw

[@mrwan7010]

Well considering HK was a British colony for over 150 years, you might be surprised to hear that many schools follow a modified version of the UK curriculum and many parents prefer....British English.

[@claudiavilchez]

so, half the salary to afford a place to live!! wow!!

[@ninja.teacher]

Yeah, very high living expenses!

[@englishforasia]

If you're only planning to stay for a short time, you could consider sharing an apartment.

[@koko20467]

If you live in New Territories, about 45 to 1 hour ride of subway to work, the rent is lower.

[@Milatheonlyone]

@@koko20467 how much lower? Thank you

[@carlosjp2277]

What english accent is it that he’s speaking with?

[@bonghungk7544]

I think it’s South African English accent. Off topic I know a German with a heavy German English accent teaching Hong Kong children English. Poor parents paying $ for their kids to speak German English accents.

[@bradlyc5142]

can i just teach for a month? i could teach medical english since i am a med student

[@jamessutcliffe7984]

Short answer: No. You need to have a bachelors degree, and an ESL qualification. That's the bare minimum. Most places (esp Hong Kong) will require a couple of years teaching experience on top of that.

[@bradlyc5142]

thanks. I want to live in HK for a year, but I cannot earn any money as Drs cannot practice w/o another year of training in HK.

[@ManishKumar-un7mz]

Bradly C helfar

[@XStarlight382X]

Hey Alex do you recommend any budget friendly accommodation in Hong Kong?

[@ninja.teacher]

The cheapest places you’ll find will probably be dorm room hostels which you can find on sites like hostelworld.

[@ztezmaxim2683]

Chun king mansions i think they are called.

[@shaney2479]

if you are somehow an OCD in a way. don't go with chungking mansion. 😉

[@sukhisthing4054]

Is their pollution in hk?

[@EduuplayEnglish]

Worse in CBD areas. However even further out, some days it drifts in from China direction.. Google used to warn me on my phone.. :P

[@bonghungk7544]

Not only pollution but the noise pollution too.

[@franmero1659]

Great vid. I'm looking forward to your videos on mainland China. I'm really interested in teaching there. However, I've heard there's limitations to internet access and things like that. I would like to keep working on a Post-graduate degree while teaching esl.

[@ninja.teacher]

I believe most people just use VPNs

[@NitinKumar-rq9ch]

Hi

[@allstardemon]

I’ve been here a week now I’m an expert here’s a guide hahah gtfoh

[@EduuplayEnglish]

I was going to comment the same thing.. However he did rather well.. I've been here three and a half years.. and I'm still thinking when to do a video like this!

[@emmanuelsanchez5686]

Can i apply this teaching english in hongkong?I am an english major teacher..

[@ofishas1242]

U moved to HK?

[@ninja.teacher]

Nope, just traveling.

[@theindividualizt]

ESL teachers will be working long hours, many unpaid, and high rents in HK. Reality!

[@serajacob8278]

Without teaching experience, can Indians get a job in Hongkong?

[@jamesrimes2870]

What a deep British accent

[@ricardow7224]

????? South African

[@Kikilu7552]

I'm from Shenzhen originally. moved to New Zealand 16 years ago. in 2013 me and my family went to travel to hong kong for holiday. it was not a pleasant experience for us. people there were so rude and racist to mainlanders. we got told to go back to where we came from :(

[@koko20467]

kiki lu I m sorry about your bad experience. But we are suffering from unlimited inflow of mainlanders.

[@흐에에엑-c1u]

How do they know whether they are mainlanders or not?

[@Kikilu7552]

my little brother was only 12 at the time. we had been walking around for a wee while so we were pretty tired. we got to the subway try and catch the train to the hong kong disneyland. my little brother sat down on the ground with his legs stretched out. he got told off by this old man in his 60s. my dad didnt liked the way he yelled at my little brother. they almost got into a fight. the old man was really aggressive calling all sorts of nasty names n stuff. my mum tried to hold my dad back.

[@흐에에엑-c1u]

@@Kikilu7552 so, you mean that the old man knew that your family was mainlanders, and discriminated for just being mainlanders??

[@흐에에엑-c1u]

@@Kikilu7552Anyway, it must be really bad experience for you...