Chinese Debate Coach (Hourly, Part Time)

The Chinese Debate Coach will be responsible for developing a high-performing debate ecosystem across secondary schools. The incumbent will design and deliver competitive debate training that elevates students’ critical thinking, public speaking, and advanced Putonghua application. Crucially, this role will champion a sustainable peer-mentorship model, empowering senior debaters with the pedagogical skills to guide and teach younger students, thereby driving deep student agency.

Key Responsibilities

• Advanced Debate Training: Design and deliver structured, high-impact training sessions focused on advanced argument construction, refutation mechanics, logical analysis, and current affairs processing in native-level Putonghua.
• Fostering Student Agency & Leadership: Establish a sustainable "train-the-trainer" framework that guides advanced native speakers to master competitive techniques while developing their mentoring, coaching, and judging capabilities, empowering them to systematically lead junior debate initiatives.
• Tournament Preparation: Prepare students thoroughly for internal and external matches, actively supporting the operational and competitive growth of the expanded ESF Secondary Chinese Debate competition.
• Debate Governance, Rules & Regulations:
• Analyze and internalize regional and international debate regulations to help construct and refine a customized ESF Chinese debate rulebook tailored to the specific nature of our competitions.
• Standardize elite multi-faction formats, rigid timing criteria, and rigorous scoring rubrics engineered exclusively for native-level competencies to maximize cognitive and linguistic challenge.
• Cultivate regulatory literacy among student leaders, equipping senior debaters with standard adjudication guidelines to fairly arbitrate mock sessions and junior league matches.

Requirements

• Language Proficiency:
• Mandatory native- level competence in written and spoken Putonghua.
• Professional communication skills in English to navigate international school systems and collaborate with internal leadership teams.
• Experience:
• A proven track record of coaching competitive Chinese debate or highly successful personal pedigree as a high- level university debater.
• Demonstrated success in nurturing student voices, mentoring adolescents, and building an environment of psychological safety within a secondary school setting.
• Soft Competencies:
• Strong collaborative leadership skills and an innate ability to listen, engage, and build trust with a diverse student body.
• A positive, strategic, and calm presence of mind, bringing diplomacy and composure to highly competitive environments.

Applicants must be a permanent Hong Kong resident or possess a valid visa to work in Hong Kong.

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For enquiries, please contact Karen Ng @ 37622653 or Email: Karen.ng@esfcentre.edu.hk

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers may be extended prior to the job closing date. We strongly recommend early applications as we reserve the right to appoint candidates earlier than the closing date.

By applying for this position, your application may be considered for other opportunities (senior-level roles, head of department, etc.) within ESF.

ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunities. ESF will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, religion, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, creed, citizenship or any other status protected by local laws or regulations.

Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with the ESF's Personal Data Policy, a copy of which will be provided upon request.

ESF is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students in our care and expects all applicants to uphold this commitment. We adhere to rigorous recruitment practices, with all appointments contingent upon an interview, identity verification, criminal background checks (including ICPC, SCRC, and other international background checks as appropriate), assessment of social media presence, and positive references.

In accordance with the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidelines, ESF may perform online checks for all shortlisted candidates prior to the interview.

About Us

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is the largest English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong. Our 22 schools and comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities bring out the best in every student through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.

There are over 18,000 students from 75 different nationalities in ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools.

www.esf.edu.hk

About the Team

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is a modern, well-managed educational organisation, committed to offering an international education to students drawn from over 70 countries. We are proud to be at the forefront of the educational hub in Hong Kong. We actively take advantage of the opportunities that Hong Kong offers as Asia’s world city and the principal gate-way to China.

The curriculum, leading to the International Baccalaureate, is adapted to Hong Kong, and the Asia Pacific region. ESF’s 1,100 teachers are highly qualified bringing with them experience from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, the UK and many other international school systems. All schools offer a broad range of out-of-school activities in Hong Kong and overseas.

ESF has over 18,000 students. Our culture is one of joy in learning and pride in achievement. The great majority of our students study for the IB Diploma and gain entry to universities all over the world. ESF has a long-standing commitment to children with individual needs and is the principal provider for English-speaking children with special educational needs in Hong Kong. For further details about ESF, please visit our website at https://www.esf.edu.hk/ .