November 1998

Foreign Teachers

Teaching in a foreign place

By Michele Tang

     Under the Enhanced Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme, at least one native-speaking English teacher will be assigned to each secondary school.

     The Education Department organized a five-day orientation camp with an aim to help the foreign teachers accustom themselves to the new environment.

     Miss Vicki Gruden, a 41-year-old native-speaking English teacher in H.K. & KLN. C.C.P.A. Ma Chung Sum Secondary School said, "Classes of 40 students are very large and the classrooms are noisy."

     "Fortunately, students are generally obedient and not troublesome. There aren't many discipline problems caused by large class size, but the local education system is too exam-orientated," said Mr. Arnold Look, who has taught in Lai Chak Middle School for more than two years.

     Very often, Miss Gruden found it difficult to encourage students to speak English in English lessons.

     "Some junior students even want their teacher to speak Cantonese in English lessons," said Mr. Nick O Connell who has taught in Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of MFBM for five years.

     Working environment is also a problem.

     Said Mr. O Connell: "The staff room is small and cramped. Desks are small and chairs are old. The place is rather dirty."

     "There is no space to relax," said Mr. Look.

     In spite of the poor working conditions, "The staff are wonderful and supportive," said Miss Gruden. "Students are friendly. I hear 'Hi! Miss!' 200 times a day."

     Mrs. Chan, the mother of Kylie Chan, a form two student in Po Leung Kuk No.1 W. H. Cheung College, firmly believes that native-speaking English teachers can improve students' English proficiency.

     But Mr. O Connell holds another viewpoint. "Foreign teachers are not perfect. They sometimes do not understand the exact problems of local students. Students have the same opportunity to speak in English no matter whether their teachers are local or foreign, if they insist," he said.

     Foreign teachers hired by the Native-Speaking English Teacher Scheme enjoy a number of fringe benefits. For example, they have a special allowance of HK$13,000 per month.

     Miss Barbara Koudrin, an Australia teacher in Holy Family Canossian College, appreciates it.

     As foreign teachers are thousand miles away from their homes, they use various methods to communicate with their families, such as long-distance calls, internet phone, letters, email and so on.

     "I'm definitely homesick," said Miss Gruden.

     Mr. O Connell said, "When I am in Hong Kong, I miss England. But when I am in England, I miss Hong Kong."

     Each of them has different reasons for coming here.

     The desire to have adventures and the low tax rate attracted Miss Gruden to leave her family and come to Hong Kong.

     Added Mr. Look, "Attractive salary is another reason."

     With the crowded living environment, Miss Gruden said, "There are so many people on the streets and there is no quiet place here except my apartment."

     Mr. Look thinks that Hong Kong people generally are friendly and sociable. The local public transport system is efficient and cheap.

     Despite new challenges, "I'll get used to it as time goes on," said Miss Gruden.