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My Hong Kong
I'm from San Francisco, a Chinese American, 2nd generation Hong Kong-born on my maternal side, and grew up in the States since I was 3 years old. I have taught in Hong Kong in two phases: from 2004-2008 at Ming Yin College and from 2010-2013 at True Light Girls' College. Both are great secondary schools with gifted students located in the Kowloon region, the most densely populated area in Hong Kong and in the world. My second return to Hong Kong in 2010 was largely facilitated by the recruitment efforts of Footprints Recruiting who assisted the Education Bureau (EDB) of Hong Kong. I flew to their office in Vancouver from San Francisco for the interview as opposed to flying to Hong Kong back in 2004. I greatly appreciated the warm welcome, cool office space & follow-up communication by Footprints Recruiting during the entire four-month process. I was ecstatic and beyond excited to be offered a second opportunity to teach in Hong Kong, a little childhood dream of mine.
An overseas English teacher is called a NET, Native-English Speaking Teacher, in Hong Kong. We are contracted with the Hong Kong Government's Enhanced NET Scheme as well as with a local school. NETs have been recruited by Hong Kong since its early colonial days, from all the English-speaking countries - Britain, Canada, Scotland, America, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, etc..- and every Secondary School usually employs one NET, while at the primary level, two or more NETs. A NET deployment varies from school to school, but it mainly consists of teaching two full English classes, working side by side with the English Department Head to plan and enhance the English Curriculum depending on the school's emphasis or concentration. For example, in my recent school, I taught two Senior form classes, including Drama classes to the Form 2 students who are about 12-13 years old. Drama is part of the English Learning Module in the New Hong Kong Secondary School Curriculum as it offers students a creative outlet for their language learning and freedom of expression. A NET's key role in Hong Kong is to promote and create a rich English-learning environment through activities and projects for the school. On most days, I am regarded as the primary English resource person whom most local teachers will go to for advice on grammar concepts in exam papers, language fluency for administrative documents, school publications or subject-based materials. Overall, a NET can be a highly visible position so it can be quite challenging to meet the needs and expectations of everyone but the rewards of teaching and serving the school community in Hong Kong is certainly a memorable and fulfilling one!
For arriving NET teachers in Hong Kong, there are a few tips one should consider. The first is to attend the NET Induction Meeting for all arriving NETs in late August. I find that it's important to reach out and connect with other NETs, exchange e-mails, phone numbers or Facebook accounts. Most times it is easy to find ourselves thinking 'well, I'm new here someone ought to show me the ropes.' But, I found that being proactive and open-minded on a new venture helps to counter feeling worried or overwhelmed when acclimating to any new environment. Understanding all new NETs are looking for new connections enables one to create a space from within to want to connect with others. So why not help each other learn the ropes? As well, being the only NET in a secondary school campus can be fairly isolating so having a good and solid network of support and trustful friendships is important to living a happy and balanced life.
Another tip is to learn the local language - Cantonese - as much as possible perhaps by picking up a Cantonese dictionary or taking a short course at a local university or language school. An easier way to go about it is to search out a local citizen (through an ad in the Hong Kong Magazine) who wish to do language exchange with a NET. That way it's a mutual and meaningful exchange that could enhance cross-cultural communications. Knowing some basic Cantonese can really add to one's comfort level, ease and enjoyment of a city pulsating with crowds of people, abundant energy and urban nuances. The final tip is to get acquainted with the MTR subway, trams, ferries, taxis, double-deck buses and mini-buses. Hong Kong has an extensive but easy and convenient transportation system. All you need is an Octopus Card to get around. Octopus Cards are 'value-added' fast passes, sold in customer service stations in every underground subway station. All forms of transport including ferries take Octopus cards except for red-colored mini-buses and taxis which take cash only. You'll find Hong Kong to be extremely convenient to get around and safe too! An Octopus Card is truly a must-have!
Some must-see locales I highly recommend are The Peak also known as Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island. There's a Vista Point where you can capture a panorama shot of Hong Kong. There's a nice 1-mile hiking trail leading down from The Peak to the Main Road where you can catch the taxi back to the subway station. A visit to the Peak is certainly iconic for locals and visitors alike. Another must-see spot is one of my personal favorites: the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade facing Hong Kong harbor. I love to sit here with a drink and hang out and relax near the harbor. The last must-see locales are the serene countryside places definitely worth a day-trip for hiking and enjoying outdoor seafood: the laid-back town of Sai Kung, the beach hamlet of Shek O and the artsy & pretty island of Lamma, the ancestral home of the great Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat.
Hong Kong is not your typical Asian or World City - with its Cantonese dialect, street-smart folks and frenetic, fast-paced energy. There are some unique and interesting cultural customs to abide by. The first is to never pause in the middle of walking on the street because people are walking very fast right behind you. So, if you stop suddenly, be ready to meet with some frustration and anger. And, when riding escalators, it's important to step to the right, and yield to those who are walking on the left because they are in a mad rush and would mind it if you blocked their way. The second custom is always use two hands with a slight bow of the head for the following: giving and receiving a gift, giving or taking back your credit card at the merchant's counter, handing over or receiving back important documents at any public banks or offices. It is a sign of politeness and respect. As the old adage goes 'a long successful journey begins with one small step.' The last custom is uniquely Hong Kong. The Chinglish words 'add oil' pronounced 'jia you' in Cantonese, are words of encouragement which means 'do well or put your best effort forward.' Sometimes you'll hear it as a loud chanting cheer at a school competition or on a television variety show. You can't go wrong when you say 'add oil' or 'jia you' because everyone truly needs and value words of encouragement and support.
Teaching overseas is an incredibly valuable endeavor and experience. As much as you get to enjoy living and working in a different country and environment, along with the extra perks of a NET contract, and a comfortable lifestyle as an expat in a world city, the most valuable part is learning about your own makings of who you are as a teacher, an educator, an American (depending on what country of origin you are from), a friend, a colleague, a partner, a person & a global citizen. You will come away from the experience if not changed, then never the same again whether you stay and continue your journey or return home to your country. For me, I'm lucky to have lived and worked overseas and created a second home because it will always be my birthplace, my Hong Kong.
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