Teach in Hong Kong on the NET Scheme

Teaching English in Hong Kong as NET

NETs are required to teach English as a second language to Hong Kong students and assist in teacher and curriculum development in public-sector primary schools (for students aged between 6 and 12), public-sector secondary schools (for students aged between 12 and 18) and schools for students with Special Education Needs (SEN).

Benefits for teaching in Hong Kong

• Salary from HK$34,060 – HK$65,875 (£3,420 - £6,614) per month (Primary)
• Salary from HK$34,060 – HK$79,135 (£3,420 - £7,946) per month (Secondary)
• Passage, baggage, medical allowances and a special allowance of HK$20,989 per month provided for eligible appointees whose normal place of residence is established as outside Hong Kong and if he/she or his/her spouse is not receiving any similar benefits *
• Retention incentive for satisfactory completion of continuous service in the NET Scheme from third year onwards *
• End of contract gratuity for satisfactory performance and conduct *
• Full induction session on arrival
• Paid holidays which may include Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, Easter and Summer vacation (actual entitlement varies according to school)
• Public holidays
• Two year contract

Requirements. Applicants should have fluent English speaking confidence and possess:

For Primary School Positions

Category 1

(i) a bachelor’s degree in English (i.e. majoring in English Language or English Literature or English Studies or Linguistics# or a Modern Language#) from a Hong Kong university or equivalent;

(ii) a recognized teacher training qualification in primary education; and

(iii) a Teaching of English as a Foreign Language or a Second Language (TEFL/TESL) qualification at least at certificate level, or an equivalent course of study recognized by the EDB

Category 2

(i) a bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Hong Kong university or equivalent;

(ii) a recognised teacher training qualification in primary education; and

(iii) a TEFL/TESL qualification at least at certificate level, or an equivalent course of study recognized by the EDB

NOTE: In the event that candidates meeting the requirements in Category 1 - 2 cannot be recruited, consideration may be given to appoint teachers with the following qualifications:

Category 3

(i) a bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Hong Kong university or equivalent;

(ii) a recognised teacher training qualification; and

(iii) a TEFL/TESL qualification at least at certificate level, or an equivalent course of study recognized by the EDB

Category 4

(i) a bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii) a TEFL/TESL qualification at least at certificate level, or an equivalent course of study recognized by the EDB

Category 5

(i) a recognised teacher’s certificate obtained after at least 2 years’ full-time study or equivalent; and

(ii) a TEFL/TESL qualification at least at certificate level, or an equivalent course of study recognized by the EDB

For Secondary School Positions

Category 1

(i) a Bachelor’s degree in English Language, English Literature, English Studies, Linguistics (in which English is the major language studied), or a Modern Language (in which English is the major language studied) OR a Bachelor's degree in Education (major in English or a Modern Language, but not a primary education specialist) obtained after 3 years’ full-time study from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii) a Post-graduate Diploma in Education majoring in English or the equivalent; and

(iii) a Teaching English as Foreign Language or a Second Language (TEFL/TESL) qualification at least at the diploma level, or equivalent; and

(iv) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at the secondary level or above.

Category 2

(i) a Bachelor’s degree in English Language, English Literature, English Studies, Linguistics (in which English is the major language studied), or a Modern Language (in which English is the major language studied) OR a Bachelor's degree in Education (major in English or a Modern Language, but not a primary education specialist) obtained after 3 years’ full-time study from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii) a Post-graduate Diploma in Education majoring in English or equivalent; and

(iii) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at the secondary level or above

NOTE: In the event that sufficient number of candidates meeting the requirements in Category 1 & 2 cannot be recruited, consideration may be given to appoint teachers with the following qualifications:

Category 3

(i) a Bachelor’s degree in English Language, English Literature, English Studies, Linguistics (in which English is the major language studied), or a Modern Language (in which English is the major language studied) from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii) a Post-graduate Diploma in Education or equivalent; and

(iii) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at the secondary level or above

Category 4

(i) a Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii) a Post-graduate Diploma in Education majoring in English or equivalent; and

(iii) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at the secondary level or above

Category 5

(i) a Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii) a Post-graduate Diploma in Education or equivalent; and

(iii) a TEFL/TESL qualification preferably at the diploma level, or equivalent; and

(iv) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at the secondary level or above

Category 6

(i) a Bachelor’s degree in English Language, English Literature, English Studies, Linguistics (in which English is the major language studied), or a Modern Language (in which English is the major language studied) from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii) a TEFL/TESL qualification at least at the diploma level, or equivalent; and

(iii) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at the secondary level or above

Category 7

(i) a Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Hong Kong university or equivalent; and

(ii) a Master’s degree in TEFL/TESL, or equivalent; and

(iii) at least 1 year’s post-graduate experience of teaching English (preferably as a second or foreign language) at the secondary level or above

Requirements of TEFL/TESL qualification for appointment of NETs:

• TEFL/TESL Qualification at the Certificate Level
• TEFL/TESL Qualification at the Diploma Level

Locations for teaching in Hong Kong

Throughout the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at public-sector primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong.

About this program

In order to enhance the teaching of English Language and increase exposure of students to English, a Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme has been implemented in public-sector secondary and primary schools since the 1998/99 and 2002/03 school year respectively.

The program’s vision is to provide quality school education for students, to develop their potential to the full and to prepare them for the future challenges in life. Download application form:

• Primary NET Scheme (PDF) - e-fillable
• Secondary NET Scheme (PDF) - e-fillable

FAQs for teaching in Hong Kong with NET

Read frequently asked questions about teaching on the NET scheme in Hong Kong on this download

Application Process

• Get in touch with your CV
• Complete online registration
• Successful candidates will be invited to web interview

Start your application for the NET Scheme 2024 by completing below registration form.