Teaching in Hong Kong Again

I received this message on my YouTube channel:

Hey

I stumbled across your videos when I searched for PGDE online. I understand you taught at several secondary schools in HK. How was that like? I don't have much teaching experience but I plan to do my postgrad diploma in education (English) at HKU.

Thanks

This is my reply:

Hi,

Teaching in mainstream secondary schools is challenging for everyone. I think it is especially difficult for foreigners because there may be no continuity of experience: foreigners may have been educated in a different way so when they see how Hong Kong people are educated, in the main, they may struggle to fit in, to change themselves, and to change the system. This is no easy change process, either changing yourself to survive and to thrive or changing the system in a meaningful way.

I'm not teaching in secondary schools, because, obviously, I'd rather be doing something else. Although I have been given a gift of teaching, I wanted to get out of that mainstream secondary school context. 

If you have questions about specific aspects of teaching in mainstream Hong Kong secondary schools, I'd be glad to answer them. Although I haven't taught in a secondary school in several years, since schools are so hard to change, I'm sure not much has changed in the teaching experience there!

You may want to read the posts on my teaching blog from the early years: misterwoo.blogspot.com

Warmly,

David