The Top Programs For Teaching English in Hong Kong

If you're looking to teach English in a city that blends East and West, tradition and skyscrapers, fast-paced living and world-class infrastructure — Hong Kong is hard to beat. It’s one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities, with a bilingual culture, a strong international presence, and a clear demand for English across education, business, and government.

Most foreign English teachers in Hong Kong work in private language centers, kindergartens, or international schools. While those paths have their perks, they also come with longer hours, variable pay, and less stability. For those seeking a more secure, professional route, there’s one standout option: the Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme.

This guide introduces the NET Scheme, Hong Kong’s only formal public school teaching program — and the most structured, well-supported way to build a sustainable teaching career in the region.

🥇 NET Scheme – Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme

What It Is

The NET Scheme was established in 1998 by Hong Kong’s Education Bureau to enhance English education across public schools. It brings in qualified native-speaking teachers to support both classroom instruction and curriculum development. With over two decades of experience, it’s a mature, respected program — not a short-term placement scheme.

NET teachers don’t just deliver lessons. They work closely with local educators to develop effective English learning strategies, co-teach classes, run workshops, and support extracurricular language activities. This makes the NET Scheme one of the most professionally rewarding teaching programs in Asia.

Where You’ll Teach

Teachers hired through the NET Scheme are placed in government-funded public primary and secondary schools throughout Hong Kong. While most are assigned to a single school, they may also be involved in regional teacher development initiatives or curriculum planning groups.

You won’t be working in an isolated rural town — you’ll be part of an urban or suburban school community in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Job Types

There are two main roles within the NET Scheme, depending on your experience and preferences:

• Primary NETs (PNETs)
  Work with younger students, focusing on communicative English, storytelling, songs, games, and early literacy. Lesson styles tend to be interactive and creative.

• Secondary NETs (SNETs)
  Teach older students, often preparing them for public exams. Roles include teaching writing, critical reading, speaking skills, and even managing drama or debate clubs.

Both roles contribute to long-term student outcomes and school-wide English development — making the work impactful and varied.

Eligibility Requirements

The NET Scheme has strict but achievable entry criteria. You must:

• Be a native-level English speaker
• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in education or English
• Have recognized teaching credentials (e.g., PGCE, B.Ed., DipEd)
• Possess at least 1 year of full-time classroom teaching experience (more preferred)
• In some cases, CELTA or a TEFL certificate may be accepted — especially for Primary NET positions

Applicants with experience in bilingual classrooms, public schools, or curriculum development are especially competitive.

Benefits Package

The NET Scheme offers one of the most generous compensation packages for English teachers in Asia:

• Monthly salary: HK$32,000–HK$80,000 (~USD $4,100–$10,200), based on your qualifications and experience level
• Special NET Allowance: HK$20,989/month (as of 2024), in addition to base salary
• Gratuity bonus: Paid at contract completion
• Medical insurance, contract-end bonuses, and paid annual leave
• Housing allowance (for those not provided with government quarters)
• Relocation support and full work visa sponsorship

This isn’t a gap-year gig — it’s a serious, well-paid teaching career path with real long-term potential.

✅ Why Choose the NET Scheme Over Private Options?

For many foreign teachers, private language centers or kindergartens are the most visible job options in Hong Kong — but they often come with drawbacks: long hours, evening and weekend shifts, inconsistent pay, and limited support.

The NET Scheme, by contrast, is designed for professional educators and offers a far more stable and rewarding experience:

• Legal, Long-Term Visa Sponsorship
  Your work visa is handled directly through the Education Bureau, giving you peace of mind and a smooth onboarding process.

• Professional Work Environment
  You’ll be part of Hong Kong’s public education system, with clearly defined responsibilities, access to resources, and opportunities for professional development.

• High Salary with Extra Allowances
  With a top-tier salary and a monthly housing or special allowance, the NET Scheme makes it financially viable to live well in one of Asia’s most expensive cities.

• Set Hours and Real Holidays
  NET teachers typically work regular school hours (weekdays, 8am–4pm), with weekends off and generous paid leave during school breaks.

• Structured Onboarding and Support
  Unlike private centers where you're often left to figure things out alone, the NET Scheme offers orientation, peer mentoring, and access to ongoing training.

If you’re looking for a position that offers career growth, community involvement, and work-life balance — not just a paycheck — the NET Scheme is clearly the better choice.

📌 Are There Other Programs?

At this time, the NET Scheme is the only formal government-run teaching program in Hong Kong for native English speakers.

However, there are a few niche opportunities that exist outside the public school system:

• Some universities offer short-term academic fellowships or English lecturer roles. These are highly competitive and usually require advanced degrees or specialized research experience.
• A limited number of private schools or international schools offer salaried teaching roles with benefits, though these are not tied to any centralized program and hiring varies by institution.
• The majority of English teaching roles in Hong Kong remain in the private sector — including cram schools, after-school tutoring centers, or adult learning institutions. These typically offer fewer benefits and less job security than the NET Scheme.

If you're focused on stability, legal protection, and strong pay, the NET Scheme remains the top program route into Hong Kong’s education system.

🧭 Who Is the NET Scheme Best For?

The NET Scheme is not a casual teaching job — it's built for educators who are serious about their craft and ready to bring their expertise into a public school setting. It’s ideal for those who want to teach English abroad with purpose, stability, and long-term potential.

You’ll benefit most from the program if you are:

• A qualified, licensed teacher seeking high compensation and full government benefits
• An experienced educator who wants to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to school culture
• Someone who values structure, stability, and professional development — from lesson planning to curriculum design
• A globally-minded teacher interested in Hong Kong’s bilingual education system, unique cultural fusion, and modern city life

Whether you're moving from the classroom back home or upgrading from less stable private jobs, the NET Scheme offers one of the best public teaching positions in Asia — and one of the few that supports teachers like professionals.

🌟 Hong Kong’s NET Scheme Is the Top Choice for Serious Educators

While there are many ways to teach English in Hong Kong, none offer the combination of pay, benefits, stability, and professional respect that the NET Scheme does.

It’s not just a job — it’s a well-supported role within a dynamic education system, designed to make a real difference in how students learn English and experience language.

If you meet the qualifications, the NET Scheme is the most secure and rewarding path to teaching in Hong Kong. Whether you’re planning a one-year contract or a long-term career, it offers a launchpad for meaningful work and personal growth in one of Asia’s most exciting cities.

👉 Want to learn more? Check out our full NET Scheme guide here