After reading quite a number of negative letters and articles about the Native-speaking English Teachers (NET) scheme, I feel compelled to speak up in defence and support of the programme and write of my experience.
I am a NET at a school in Tai Po and thoroughly love my job and everyone and everything to do with it. It is by far the best and most satisfying job I have ever had in some 24 years of teaching English in Australia and New Zealand. From the outset, I was welcomed most warmly by my school and the friendship, support and generosity of spirit extended to me have been wonderful. Of course, the job has its challenges - especially getting students to 'speak up' in class - but, after all, that is why I am here - to do the job to the best of my ability.
I can see that my methods and positive approach are beginning to produce results. My motto is: 'Be positive'.
It is easy to be so. The children's enthusiasm for school, the attitude towards learning, the respect shown for each other and towards teachers, the dedication and long hours of hard work put in by my colleagues and the efficiency of the school are all making the NET experience such a rewarding one.
The Education Department has been criticised for lack of support and information. I cannot understand this. For example, NET applicants were given a fair view of what to expect and the induction course was a thorough and competently-run affair. In that induction week, I often cringed in embarrassment at some of the questions and complaints made, and sadly continue to have cause to do so as I read the various letters and articles. Frankly, I wonder how on earth these people got the job in the first place and why they came.
For example, Simon Ross (letter, South China Morning Post, November 6) complains that he was not paid for the induction course (which is preposterous) and that for the amount he pays in rent in Hong Kong he could be living in a 'mansion' in Australia, where he says medical insurance is free (which is untrue).