Hong Kong skyline and harbour

Teach English
in Hong Kong

Some of the most lucrative ESL opportunities in the world. Earn up to $8,500/month as a NET teacher, or start your career at a private language school in one of Asia's most exciting cities.

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$2,200–$8,500
Monthly salary (USD)
NET Scheme
Government-run program
18 Districts
Teaching positions across HK
270 hrs
For top-tier NET positions
120 hrs
Min. TEFL required

Minimum Job Requirements

Nationality
Native speaker from Canada, USA, or UK. Non-native speakers with a minimum IELTS score of 7 may also apply.
TESOL / TEFL Certificate
120 hours minimum. NETs with 270+ hours of TESOL training qualify for the highest job category.
University Degree
Degree in any area. NET candidates with a Master’s in Education qualify for the highest job category.
Teaching Experience
Not required for entry-level. 2+ years qualifies for the highest NET job category.
Tip: OnTESOL recommends adding the 20-hour TEYL specialist to the 250-hour TESOL Diploma to maximize your qualifications for NET positions.

Why Teach English in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong provides some of the most lucrative opportunities in the world for ESL teachers! Teach English in Hong Kong as a NET teacher or at a private ESL school. Learn more about the best areas to teach, how to get the job, how to overcome some of the challenges you will face in the classroom, and the TESOL certification you need.

The largest districts are Victoria and Kowloon, but city boundaries do not really exist in the mega metropolis of Hong Kong! There are thousands of primary schools and language institutes and the demand for qualified teachers never ends.

Salary & Benefits

Position TypeMonthly Salary (USD)Notes
NET Teachers (Government) $4,800–$8,500 Highest salary in TESOL industry. Run by HK Education Bureau.
Private Language Schools $2,200–$4,000 Plus benefits. Many schools assist with work permits & accommodation.

OnTESOL graduates get free job placement assistance for elementary and secondary schools in one of Hong Kong’s 18 administrative regions.

Where to Teach in Hong Kong

NET Scheme (Government Schools)

The NET Scheme is run by the Government of Hong Kong’s Education Bureau and offers the highest salary in the TESOL industry. NET teachers are placed in primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong’s 18 administrative regions.

NET teachers face large classes with 30 or more students, so one of the main reasons that primary schools hire native-speakers is to co-teach with a local teacher. Furthermore, most NET teachers have to teach multi-level classes, which is common in public school systems because some students take extra-curricular ESL lessons at a language institute or travel to native-speaking countries.

One of the great things about teaching English in Hong Kong is that NET teachers are provided with everything they need to be successful in the classroom. Every school comes equipped with the latest audio and video technology to use the Communicative Approach to its full extent.

How to apply: Use a recruiter or apply directly through the Hong Kong Education Bureau.

Salary: $4,800–$8,500/month — earn up to $70,000+ a year!

Private Language Schools

Private language schools offer great opportunities, especially for newly certified teachers. Classes at language institutes are small (5 to 15 students per class) and each class is level-specific.

Both private school teachers and NET teachers are provided with everything they need to be successful in the classroom. Every school comes equipped with the latest audio and video technology to use the Communicative Approach to its full extent.

Many schools assist with work permits and finding accommodation before you arrive.

How to apply: Use a recruiter or apply for TEFL jobs directly. Language institutes post TEFL jobs at Indeed Hong Kong on a daily basis!

Salary: $2,200–$4,000/month, plus benefits

Recommended Certification

TESOL / TEFL Certification
for Hong Kong

The minimum requirement for English teaching jobs in Hong Kong is a 120-hour TEFL or TESOL certificate. However, high-paying NET positions with public schools require a minimum TESOL certification of 270 hours with 20 hours of teaching practice.

The 250-hour TESOL Diploma offered by OnTESOL is the most comprehensive program available and is very popular with NET candidates who want the best training and credentials. The program is fully online and comes with lab-style assignments, task-integrated videos so you can watch a real ESL class and learn how a lesson plan translates into the classroom, and professional tutor feedback throughout.

Teaching Practice to meet 270 hours: OnTESOL graduates have two options to complete the required 20 hours of teaching practice. Option 1 — the 20-hour Teaching Practice Certificate is available for graduates who are actively teaching English to young learners in Hong Kong or anywhere in the world (kindergarten through high school, including STEM classes where English is the medium of instruction). Option 2 — the 20-hour TESL Canada Practicum with adult ELT learners, for graduates who wish to become eligible for TESL Canada accreditation.

K-12 is the largest job market: The extra 20-hour TEYL specialist is recommended to learn how TESOL methodology applies in a young learner classroom. Add a 20-hour specialist for only US$79 when you enroll — save up to US$640.

Other specialists for Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s diverse teaching market means specialists in Business English (TBEC), Teaching IELTS, and Teaching English Online are also valuable. Each is 20 hours and can be bundled at the discounted rate.

Entry-level teachers: The 120-hour Advanced TESOL Certificate will give you all the training you need to start teaching at private language schools in Hong Kong. Learn to create original lesson plans, master classroom management techniques, and watch real ESL classes through task-integrated videos.

TESL Canada Recognized ACCET Accredited Meets 270-hr NET Requirement Teaching Practice Available Specialists from US$79
⏱ 250 hrs + TEYL
TESOL Diploma + Young Learners
The combination OnTESOL recommends for NET candidates heading to Hong Kong.
  • Meets 270-hr requirement with Practicum
  • TESL Canada Professional Standard 2
  • TEYL module covers K-12 teaching
  • Lab assignments + task-integrated videos
  • Graded lesson planning with tutor feedback
  • Free Hong Kong job assistance included
  • Add specialists from US$79 each
Enroll Now View full course details →

“If you’re looking to begin a TESOL career in Asia, Hong Kong is arguably one of the easiest places to do so. Whether you’d like to join an organization or begin a career independently, there is never a shortage of English-teaching jobs in this bustling metropolitan hub.”

OnTESOL Graduate
Teaching in Hong Kong
★★★★★

Teaching Jobs in Hong Kong

OnTESOL graduates get free job placement assistance for elementary and secondary schools across Hong Kong’s 18 administrative regions, plus access to our job board and resume support.

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FAQ

Common Questions

Still have questions? Contact an advisor

The NET (Native-speaking English Teacher) Scheme is run by the Government of Hong Kong’s Education Bureau. It places native English speakers in primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong’s 18 administrative regions. NET teachers earn between $4,800 and $8,500 per month — the highest salary in the TESOL industry. You can apply through the Education Bureau or use a recruiter.

You need to be a native English speaker from Canada, the USA, or the UK. Non-native speakers with a minimum IELTS score of 7 may also apply. You’ll need a university degree in any area and a minimum 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certification. NET candidates with a Master’s degree in Education, 270+ hours of TESOL training, and 2+ years of teaching experience qualify for the highest job category.

120 hours is the minimum for private language school positions. However, for the high-paying NET Scheme, candidates with 270+ hours of TESOL training qualify for the highest job category. The 250-hour TESOL Diploma combined with the 20-hour Practicum meets this 270-hour requirement.

Yes. Unlike many other countries in Asia, Hong Kong accepts non-native English speakers who have a minimum IELTS score of 7 for TESOL teaching positions.

NET teachers face large classes with 30 or more students and often teach multi-level classes. A key benefit is co-teaching with a local teacher. Private language schools have smaller classes of 5 to 15 students, each level-specific. All schools in Hong Kong are equipped with the latest audio and video technology.

For NET candidates, OnTESOL recommends the 250-hour TESOL Diploma paired with the 20-hour TEYL specialist and the 20-hour Practicum. This combination exceeds 270 hours and qualifies for the highest NET job category. For entry-level private school positions, the 120-hour Advanced TESOL Certificate with TEYL is sufficient. Add any specialist for only US$79 when you bundle it during enrollment — save up to US$640.

OnTESOL graduates have two options. Option 1: The 20-hour Teaching Practice Certificate is for graduates already teaching English to young learners in Hong Kong or anywhere — this can take place in kindergarten, elementary, middle school, high school, or private school, including STEM classes taught in English. Option 2: The 20-hour TESL Canada Practicum with adult ELT learners, for graduates who wish to become eligible for TESL Canada accreditation.

From Our Graduates

First-Hand Accounts

Hong Kong

6 Classroom Management Tips for Teaching Large Multi-level ESL Classes in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

TESOL Teacher Review: Teaching English in Hong Kong

Ready to Teach in Hong Kong?

Get certified & earn up to $8,500/month.

OnTESOL provides internationally recognized TESOL/TEFL certification, teaching resources, and lifetime job assistance. Qualify for the NET Scheme or start at a private language school in one of Asia’s most exciting cities.

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TESL Canada Recognized Meets NET 270-hr Requirement Lifetime Job Assistance