Hello! I'm looking to become a full regustered teacher (RT) and teach in a secondary international school in Hong Kong. I have a PhD and want to do teacher training to teach science.
I have three possible options and I'm wondering what experienced people think good HK international schools in general would find to be the best course of action. I've discussed this with a few people and there seems to be no consensus, it appears all schools have different preferences. Still, please let me know what you know! The options are:
Online TES iP.G.C.E./QTS and placement at an ESF school. Unpaid work, course is pricey but gets a foot in at ESF.
Move to Shenzhen for a year and work at an international school that follows the American curriculum and I do a P.G.C.E. but also work as a full time teacher. Full salary, a lot of hands-on experience, but maybe Shenzhen experience is seen as less good in HK later?
PGDE in HKU. Unpaid but cheaper fees than option 1, still get to do a placement but don't get to pick the school I think.
I'm told the HK intl schools that pay their teachers the best and have the best academics and reputation would most like the P.G.C.E. + placement in ESF because I'd learn the IGCE+IB teaching system. I would also get my foot in at ESF. But that option is unpaid and I don't really want to pay to work for free anymore! Do you think most HK schools would prefer option 1, that I would be the most employable in HK?
What about option 3, why does no-one seem to value the PGDE as much? It also includes a placement, plus the education part is in person, not online like the P.G.C.E., which surely is better? And HKU is better than Sunderland or EAL??
And re: option 2, do you think that the curriculum the school follows (if I did P.G.C.E. in SZ with American system) is very important from the POV of HK intl schools? ie would IB schools not want to hire me if I haven't done my P.G.C.E. at an IB school? And would a P.G.C.E. in Shenzhen be seen as much worse than a P.G.C.E. in HK?
What would you pick if you were me, knowing everything you know? I know personal preference will also factor into it but from a well-informed school perspective, please let me know.
Thanks so much!