[leghk]

* far quicker than typing Native......

[KnowItAll]

Blame the new title on me ..

[DanielandHayley]

Originally Posted by PDLM

In that case you shouldn't have used the term "NETs" in the title. That has a very specific meaning in Hong Kong - it refers to the qualified teachers employed within the Hong Kong public schooling system.

If you mean English teachers generally (including the kids backpacking around the world and teaching illegally and without qualifications in dodgy private language schools) then that's a different matter altogether.

true to an extent...except that you do not actually have to be a qualified teacher for the government NET scheme (in primary schools - you do for secondary). I know many NETs who are on the government scheme teaching in primary schools with no teaching qualification. You just need a bit of experience teaching English.

[araucaria]

Originally Posted by leghk

Agreed, maybe NET was a little misleading in HK but far quicker than Native-speaking English Teacher not employed by the EDB.

Am interested in any thoughts about any type of teacher.

Originally Posted by leghk

Someone stated on another forum recently that the tightening of the visa regulations was down to lazy, incompetant ET's. Searching now to try and find the exact quote.

Could come from educated folk in Hong Kong who are appalled by so-called ET's (sic) who can neither spell nor punctuate, and thus fit the incompetant (sic) bill.

As for the "Native-speaking" bollux, it beats me how any intelligent person can repeat it. How do you 'speak native'?

'Native English-speaking Teachers' - leave the gobbledygook to those who know no better.

Native English-speaking Teacher scheme - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[KnowItAll]

>> 'speak native'

Like a Scotsman after polishing off a bottle of .....

[emmie]

Originally Posted by leghk

Native English Teacher.

Just a general feeling I have from living here for the last 2 years, talking to expats, reading different forums etc.

Quite an attention-grabbing thread title you have there... Mind my asking in which particular forum have some posters suggested this sorta attitude/opinion? (Not protesting personally, just interested 'bout the "chatter" on this topic.)

Originally Posted by leghk

The actual quote was "Looks like the Chinese government is starting to get really serious about eliminating the deadbeats and bums coming here to teach English."

Was written about the mainland, but wondered if people had encountered similar views here.

Knowing some Cantonese, and attempting to mix with locals (MORE of 'em around after all), I've heard a few MEAN things said 'bout ETs in HK, especially 'bout NETs While some of the stuff is or MAY be "true", others are just snippy jabs tinged with green, and NOT to be taken seriously...

(BTW, whoever RED-dinged my latest wee post on the "Bumping" thread around 2PM yesterday, when I'd not said anything new - thank you for setting me straight.)

[leghk]

Emmie - title was purely to try and grab attention. Quote earlier was from another expat forum for Asia.

Araucaria - native speaker refers to a person's first language. It has nothing to do with their ability to speak that language. It makes sense to me.

Spelling n punctuation is dependant on the medium.

[killahbad]

I hear what you're saying about the "look down on you" part.


This doesn't count to everyone but minority so I don't want non of you taking offense -
With alot of high earning professionals and people here in Hong Kong, it seems alot are networking and climbing a professional and social ladder between other high earners.
NET's that are on a low(ish) income maybe below them or not their class.

I'm sure alot of people here have met people who either come across snobby or a the opposite.

I think you just need to keep meeting and talking to people and not worry about anyone looking down on you etc. Its going to happen regardless.

[emmie]

Originally Posted by leghk

The title is a bit strong but it got your attention. I get the feeling (no real evidence) that teachers are looked down upon by the rest of the expat community.
Anyone got any views on this?

Yah... caught wind of the slight tongue-in-cheek tone of your original title

The few snipes I've heard, about locals' "interactions" with on-the-side English teachers & Primary-level NETs, are when they're charged certain (biggish?) bucks by them - for what's just a little supplementary help with homework, revision &/or conversation. The per-hour arrangement might've been OK for several "lessons", initially, but the realisation soon comes that it's mostly not "value for money" in the long run... (and these learners = none too rich).

Somewhere previously on Geo, I've breezily touched on this: that there'll always be a MINORITY of ETs in HK - as is the case elsewhere in this busy supply-&-demand world - who'll glide along, riding on the WAVE of local HKers' LUV (& hate!) relationship with English - and the often tedious, (sadly) pulling-teeth trial of learning it.

Many sheeple... er, locals... will willing PAY zee bucks, with no clear idea of "quality", but if a teacher SUCKS, somewhat, they'll soon detect it... So, the glimmers of some cynicism regarding the adventurous, enterprising YET little-experienced, needing-to-meet-RENT kind of ETs. (Yeah, living in HK can be costly, indeed.)

Just a guess - saying nothing that someone else here hasn't already said (pls excuse). Not sure 'bout any real snottiness though...

Would be interested in your personal view(s) - shedding light on why this thread topic?

[cloudybay]

Allow me to put in my 2 cents and it's something that hasn't been said. To be an ET here in HK, all one needs is to be a native speaker and that kind of doesn't entail any qualifications and/or skills. I mean, some people here are primary teachers who don't have a university degree. Any native speaker can be an English teacher regardless how good or bad his/her English really is.

What makes a person a true English teacher is that he/she is degreed, trained and certified and able to get the same kind of job back home, not just here in Asia.