Why be a TEFL teacher in Hong Kong? Here’s why

From the frenetic wet markets of Wan Chai to the chic walks of Central, the soaring blocks of Kowloon to the hills of Shek-O, Hong Kong is one seriously enthralling city and region. It offers an immersive and unforgettable intro to what it’s like to live and work in one of Asia’s booming megalopolises for would-be TEFL teachers. And there are plenty of other reasons to make it your new destination pick, too…

The food

They call Hong Kong the world’s food fair. We can see why. The city is a veritable melting pot of cuisines and cooking styles from all over the globe. Most importantly, you get the long-lasting Cantonese methods of cooking that hail from Guangdong province just over the water. Plus, there’s the lasting influence of British cooking from the colonial era. They’re augmented by hints of Southeast Asian, Korean, and Japanese cuisine, which adds up to one seriously eclectic mix of tastes and flavors. Begin with sweet and sour pork, steamed dim sum, and Hong Kong milk tea before moving on to all the rest.

The shopping

Hong Kong is a shopper’s mecca – obviously! From wet markets that tout strange Asian herbs and spices to hi-tech bazaars brimming with electronics and gadgets, there’s all sorts to get through here. We especially love the Temple Street Night Market that takes place in Kowloon. It’s a hubbub of toy shops and fortune tellers that never gets boring. Meanwhile, the Central district has massive malls like the Landmark and Pacific Place, and Causeway Bay is a fashionista’s dream, offering boutique jewelers and clothes outlets by the bucket load.

The pay

Hong Kong reigns among the most lucrative TEFL destinations of East Asia. Yep, it’s up there with South Korea and Japan with its average monthly salaries of between $2,400-2,900. Of course, what you take home is mitigated a little since Hong Kong is also an expensive place to live. However, most of our teachers in this skyscraper-sprouting city report that they make enough to do that very comfortably, enjoy the draws of their new home, and even travel around a bit. The greatest expense is likely to be rent, but we’ll even help you find and secure that if you’re on one of our jobs programs.

The adventure

Don’t go thinking that Hong Kong is just a city. It’s actually a whole Special Administrative Region that spreads over stunning islets and crumpled mountains. In fact, you can travel through wild countryside for almost 15 miles before crossing the border into China at Shenzhen. Some of the most famous spots for getting your taste of the wilder part of Hong Kong include the headland of Shek-O, which has surf-washed beaches and a hiking path known as the Dragon’s Back, and Lam Tsuen Country Park, a land of lush hilltops to the north.

It’s one of the gateways to the whole of Asia

One of the most awesome reasons to be a TEFL teacher in Hong Kong – at least in our wanderlust-fueled minds – is the fact that this city is one of the great transport hubs of Asia. That’s largely down to the presence of the colossal Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Handling close to 100 million travelers in any given year, it’s one of the busiest terminals on the planet. That’s great for getting to Hong Kong itself, since it means there are likely to be loads of long-haul connections over. But – more enticingly – it’s amazing for exploring other countries in the region since there are endless short-haul options to boot. Fancy a weekend on a Thai beach? Easy. Want to hike the Himalayas? That can be done. Keen to see the temples of South Korea and the Shinto shrines of Japan? Hop on board!

There are loads of reasons to teach in Hong Kong besides the ones we’ve listed above. If you can add any more, please do in the comments below. Alternatively, check out our TEFL courses and Hong Kong jobs page to get started on your teaching adventure in this megacity of Asia.