Teach English in Hong Kong with Monkey Tree
We welcome you to join an international team and teach English in Hong Kong!
Teach young learners in small classes in Hong Kong
Monkey Tree is one of Hong Kong's best-known English learning centres for children, with more than 60 centres across Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China. It's hiring English teachers all year round to teach children aged 3 to 12 in classes of just 4 to 10, with full training, a mentor teacher and a ready-made curriculum, so you can focus on teaching rather than planning.
- Small classes
- Visa sponsored
- No experience needed
- Start any month
What Monkey Tree offers English teachers
On top of your monthly salary, you'll earn a completion bonus at the end of your contract and a training bonus, so a full year works out at around HK$294,000. Hong Kong's low income tax means more of it stays in your pocket.
HK$23,000 a month
A competitive monthly salary for a first teaching role in Hong Kong.
HK$12,000 completion bonus
Paid when you complete your one-year contract.
HK$6,000 training bonus
Rewarding the time you put into your initial training.
Sponsored work visa
A legal Hong Kong employment visa, with support through every step.
Optional staff housing
Affordable accommodation near an MTR station, if you want it.
12 days' paid leave
Paid annual leave, plus time to explore Hong Kong and Asia.
Mentor teacher
An experienced colleague to guide you through your first months.
Curriculum provided
Ready-made materials and lesson plan support, including Monkey Tree's own phonics books.
Career progression
A clear route to senior teacher or management roles.
About Monkey Tree and your role
Monkey Tree opened its first centre in Hong Kong in 2009 and has grown into a large network of children's English learning centres. It creates its own teaching materials, including the Phonics Jungle course books and readers, and runs courses in phonics, reading and speaking, grammar and writing, and Cambridge exam preparation.
What you'll do
- Teach small groups of 4 to 10 children aged 3 to 12
- Deliver fun, interactive lessons from Monkey Tree's own curriculum
- Help children build confidence in phonics, speaking, reading and writing
- Track and report on your students' progress
- Take part in training, teacher meetings and centre events
Why small classes matter
With no more than 10 children in a room, you get to know every student, see their progress week by week and spend your time teaching rather than managing a crowd. It's one of the best set-ups for new teachers to build skills and confidence, and many Monkey Tree teachers renew for a second year.
Requirements to teach English in Hong Kong
You don't need previous teaching experience, because Monkey Tree trains every new teacher when they arrive. Here's what you do need.
- A bachelor's degree in any subject, which you'll need for the Hong Kong work visa
- A TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate, which you can complete online before you go. Don't have a TEFL yet?
- Fluent English, as you'll be teaching phonics, speaking, reading and writing
- A love of working with children, with plenty of energy and patience
- An adaptable, positive attitude
Which TEFL do you need for Hong Kong?
Monkey Tree asks for a TEFL certificate, and a strong one helps you stand out at interview. Both of our courses below are studied fully online and are 20% off with code HK20.
120-Hour Professional TEFL
£79.20£99
Meets Monkey Tree's TEFL requirement and is built for first-time teachers, with a young learners focus.
- 20% off with code HK20
- Complete in as little as 3 weeks
- FCDO-legalisable certificate
- Free job placement support
140-Hour Combined TEFL
£159.20£199
Everything in the 120-hour course, plus 20 hours of assessed teaching practice with real students, so you arrive with classroom experience on your CV.
- 20% off with code HK20
- 20 hours of live, assessed teaching practice
- FCDO-legalisable certificate
- Free job placement support
Not sure which suits you? Compare every TEFL package side by side.
Teaching and living in Hong Kong
Hong Kong packs skyscrapers, street markets, beaches and hiking trails into one compact, safe and easy-to-navigate city. English is widely spoken, and there's a big, friendly community of international teachers, with regular meetups to help you settle in.
Getting around
- The MTR gets you almost anywhere in minutes
- Buses, trams and ferries all take an Octopus card
- Optional staff housing near an MTR station
Weekends
- Hike the Dragon's Back or up to Victoria Peak
- Island-hop to Lantau or Lamma
- Eat your way through Mong Kok's street food
Travel further
- One of Asia's best-connected airports
- Short flights to Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam
- 12 days' paid leave to make the most of it
| Topic | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Rents are high in Hong Kong, so the optional staff housing near an MTR station is a real advantage |
| Language | Cantonese is the local language, but English is widely used in daily life |
| Tax | Hong Kong's salaries tax is low compared with the UK |
| Community | A large international teaching community, with regular social meetups |
How to get this teaching job in Hong Kong
Get TEFL qualified
Complete your online TEFL with TEFL UK, using code HK20 for 20% off. You can apply while you're still studying.
Apply to TEFL UK
Fill in the quick application form below. Our placement team checks your eligibility and prepares you for your interview.
Interview online
A video interview with Monkey Tree, followed by a job offer and your choice of start month.
Contract and visa
Monkey Tree sponsors your work visa. The whole process usually takes about a month.
Fly to Hong Kong
Start with full training and orientation, then meet your mentor and your first class.
Teaching English in Hong Kong with Monkey Tree: your questions answered
How much do English teachers earn with Monkey Tree in Hong Kong?
This role pays HK$23,000 a month, plus a HK$12,000 completion bonus and a HK$6,000 training bonus, which adds up to HK$18,000 in bonuses over a one-year contract.
Can I teach in Hong Kong without experience?
Yes. Previous teaching experience isn't required. Monkey Tree gives every new teacher full training and orientation on arrival, a mentor teacher and a ready-made curriculum with lesson plan support.
Do I need a degree to teach English in Hong Kong?
Yes. You need a bachelor's degree in any subject to qualify for the Hong Kong work visa that Monkey Tree sponsors.
What TEFL certificate do I need?
You need a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate. TEFL UK's 120-hour Professional TEFL meets the requirement, and the 140-hour Combined TEFL adds 20 hours of assessed teaching practice for a stronger application. Both are 20% off with code HK20.
How big are the classes and who will I teach?
You'll teach small groups of 4 to 10 children aged 3 to 12, covering phonics, speaking, reading and writing.
Is accommodation provided?
Optional, affordable staff housing is available near an MTR station. You're free to find your own place if you prefer.
When can I start, and how long does it take?
Start dates are available in any month of the year. From application to arrival usually takes about a month, including your visa.
Can I stay longer than a year?
Yes. The one-year contract is renewable, and there's a route to senior teacher or management roles for teachers who want to stay on.
Ready to teach in Hong Kong?
Monkey Tree is hiring for start dates all year round. Apply below, and if you still need your TEFL, start it today with 20% off using code HK20.
Don't have TEFL?
Get qualified online from £99.
Find out which TEFL course is right for you.