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Teachers, Hong Kong

The Methodist Church in Britain has asked Christians Abroad to help with a response to the request of Methodist Schools in Hong Kong for native English speaking teachers of English. In Hong Kong, the struggle for Methodist Schools is to maintain their Christian outlook and provide quality education where Christian teachers and students are a minority.

On the 1st July 1997, Hong Kong returned to China and all schools were directed to adopt Chinese as the medium of instruction. Later in this year, following representations, a circular memorandum was issued to announce the implementation of an Enhanced Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) scheme, in Secondary schools. Schools were able to recruit and employ NET's directly or to entrust the Education Dept to recruit NET's on their behalf. This recruitment forms part of this initiative. In this Lay Professional Programme, Christians Abroad is working on behalf of the Methodist Church, who are responding directly to requests from Christian schools in Hong Kong. The teachers will contribute to the teaching of English, the exact duties being determined by the Principals according to the specific needs of the school and in line with the guidelines on such duties laid down by the Director of Education for Hong Kong.

APPOINTMENT TIMING: The procedures can be lengthy and appointments will be made subject to approval by the Chinese authorities. There are rarely specific jobs notified to the UK. When outline details of any candidate have been sent to the local church authorities they will then contact schools to ascertain if the candidate meets any of their present needs. Only then will the process proceed any further in the UK. This can take 6 months and teachers should not resign UK posts until this is confirmed. For application procedure, see end of text.

Qualifications

Either an academic first degree in English Language, or Linguistics, or English Literature, or a Modern Language OR a BSc, or BA, in any other academic subject may be considered with a PGCE AND a TEFL, with at least two years post qualification experience. Candidates with a BEd degree and TEFL qualification, will also be considered. The maximum age on appointment is normally 55 years but applications from older, experienced teachers who may have taken early retirement will be considered. To qualify for this project, an applicant must have Christian commitment . There is no requirement for particular statements of faith although the nature of your Christian commitment will be discussed at interview.

Status
Couples where both are teachers qualified in appropriate subjects can be considered, but those with children should not apply. It is accepted, of course, that a couple may have children during the term of a contract.

Contract
Contracts are for a period of two years. Renewal of a contract after expiry may be approved, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.

Expectations
Christians Abroad are looking for candidates with evidence of Christian commitment who offer their knowledge, enthusiasm, relationship skills and integrity as a contribution to the place in which they work.

The successful applicants will be working and living in a culture very different from their own, and will thus be expected to have professional and personal qualities which demonstrate adaptability, tolerance and an inclination to learn and share as well as to give. It is hoped that the persons appointed will foster healthy working and social relationships which will contribute to this atmosphere, and evidence of creativity and commitment to their professional skills and development will be sought.

Christians Abroad's recruitment is ecumenical and welcoming of people from a variety of Christian traditions. Applicants can be of any denomination, and should show some regular commitment to the life of their church, but they must also be willing to work within the structures and decisions of the church in Hong Kong. The successful applicant should be willing to learn from and contribute to the receiving church.

This is an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the life and values of the people of Hong Kong, and will enable the successful candidate to learn from the experience and share that experience on their return to their home country.

Selection
There are no stated deadlines for applications. However, we would encourage you to apply expeditiously in response to advertisements as vacancies are often filled very promptly. Following receipt of a completed questionnaire and a written letter of application, accompanied by photocopies of degree/training certificates, references may be collected.

Normally, three references are collected with your help. One reference will be from your professional experience/academic training, a second from the church or Christian group with which you are associated, and a third from a mature person who knows you well personally. On receipt of at least two of the references, the applicant may be invited for interview. These normally take place in London, and will usually be conducted by a member of the Christians Abroad staff and one from the Methodist Church. Recommendations for appointment are made within three days of the interview by letter.

Unless there is early evidence of a medical problem, medicals are arranged by the candidate through Interhealth, the medical organisation employed by Christians Abroad for this purpose, using a standard questionnaire provided following recommendation for appointment. If possible, an examination will take place with a local Interhealth appointed doctor. In some circumstances, a candidate's own GP may be used.

As a result of the interview and dependent on the results of the medical examination, candidates are recommended for appointment to the overseas organisation concerned. It is the overseas organisation, in this case the school to which you are recommended, that offers the contract and is the employer. The decision about which school to forward your papers to will be made by the Methodist Church, consulting with the appropriate bodies in Hong Kong. You will therefore not know the location of the possible school appointment until quite late in the process. You will, of course, have the option to turn down an offer at any particular school and request a different location if there are good reasons for that request. There can be no guarantees however that a new location can be found immediately. Indeed it may be then some time before an appointment is made.

Preparation
As well as a visit for appointed candidates to the Methodist Church offices in London, Christians Abroad organises its own Preparation Conference. This conference is a requirement for ALL successful candidates appointed through Christians Abroad, and it focuses on expectations, attitudes and relationships alongside a project briefing and basic domestic matters including health, departures and arrivals.

The Conference and accommodation is held at no cost to the candidate other than their own personal travel arrangements to and from the venue which is normally in London.

While Overseas
We will be pleased to keep in touch with you and support you whenever possible and whenever appropriate. Christians Abroad can act as arbiter in any dispute between the successful applicant and the overseas organisation.

Christians Abroad does not undertake any recruitment programme unless it has reason to respect the integrity of the overseas organisation in meeting any commitments made and unless it believes that emergency pastoral matters can be adequately dealt with by the overseas organisation concerned. A pastoral visit will normally be made during each teacher's tour by a member of either the Christians Abroad or Methodist Church staff. Personal, formal and informal correspondence from those overseas will be promptly and gladly answered, and each teacher's name will be included in the Methodist Church Prayer Handbook.

FURTHER DETAILED INFORMATION

Duties

The exact duties will be determined by Principals, these should include:

• Classroom teaching and assessment.

• Supporting the English Panel Chairperson and assisting in the tailoring of the curriculum and preparation of teaching materials.

• Assisting in extra-curricular activities related to the English language.

• Assisting in creating an English resource area.

• Acting as English language resource person for other staff.

Benefits

Teachers will be on contract with the school to which they are appointed and will be paid a salary by the school. Although the precise terms and conditions do vary from school to school, teachers will usually receive in addition to a sufficient local salary minimum c US$2500 per month:

• a 15% contract gratuity.

• a special allowance of c US$ 1,300 per month.

• support with housing provision.

• a medical allowance, or medical insurance provided by Christians Abroad, if not by the school.

• airfares - return passages, for a two year appointment.

• an unaccompanied baggage allowance.

• National Insurance at Class 3.

• an appointment grant of £250.

• a "Back To Britain" re-orientation conference after return to this country.

Language training is generally not provided by the school. However, teachers appointed are encouraged to study privately or take classes at their own expense. If a married teaching couple is appointed, then the above benefits will apply to each.

Contact
If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to know more contact us.