Job Discussion Forums

[Wolf]

I'm a Canadian national (male if it makes a difference) who has lived and taught (EFL, yes) in Asia for the past four years. I spent three years and change in Japan, and the last six months or so in China (rural, developing China.) I have a degree (BA Honours in Enlish Lit), experience teaching at private schools (adults) and universities. I'm going to start a distance learning MA in Applied Lingusitics (TESOL) this fall. Although I have work in China for the next year or so, I'm already trying to plan ahead for my next move.

So here are some questions I'd like you hear your thoughts on:

1a. Do people spit, stare at foreingers, and scream "HELLO," laugh, and run away in Vietnam? If so, how bad? Is it everyone, every day (like China?) a once a week thing (like Japan if you're unlucky?) or somewhere in between? I'm not insulting the Vietnamese people here. Pop over to the Chinese forum and you'll see why I ask.

1b. Basically, how welcome are foreigners in Vietnam? Not welcome enough? Too welcome? Resentful of visible minorites? Would I be able to "feel at home" after a while?

2. I've seen the thread about sending money overseas. Is it possible to convert local currency into US$, Euros, Yen, whatever, pretty easily?

3. I hear that Vietnam has a dual pricing system: one price for locals (the cheap one) and the other for expats (seeing how everyone who teaches EFL is a millionare ). Is this still enforced pretty ruggedly? Any ways around it? Does it make much of a difference in what you might be able to save?

4. I hear (both on this thread and on the official page of one of the larger school chains in Veitnam) that students are prettys sharp - they study hard and ask sharp questions. I aslo know that Vietnam has had a lot of contact with various cultures from the East (the PRC) and the West (France, USA) - and there are many Cantonese, Madarin, French, English and German speaking Vietnamese. Can I assume that the Vietnamese in general (or at least some of them) are open to new, other ideas? Anyone who has worked in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, or the PRC will know why I might ask this. Just wandering.

5. I know that Veitnam is a developing country, shall we say. I live now in one of the least developed areas of China, so that won't be a total shock. But I'm wandering: Would I be a prime target for beggars? Pickpockets? Burglars? Does anyone feel that Vietnam is an unusally dangerous place to live?

6. How is job security over there? In Japan it's virtually non - existant (for EFLers) despite being a G7 nation with laws, unions etc to protect foreign workers, etc. Is it just a given that you change jobs with the seasons, or is it possible to find a full time job you can do and support yourself on (one worth doing) for a while anyway?

7. What about the edutainment vs real teaching scale? Do employers care/consider/reward people actually interested in teaching doing a good job? Or is it "foreign face sells lessons?" Also, is it possible to (EFL) teach at universities in Vietnam, or is it all private companies?

8. Is teaching adults only possible in Vietnam (In South Korea this is very hard to do without wicked split shifts)? Or at least univeristy/high school students at the very youngest? I like kids, mind you. I just don't feel like the right person to try to teach English to kids I cannot communicate with at all.

9. Do employers offer accomodation? More importantly, do they offer private accomodation? If not, is getting set up in a place of your own a hassle - in other words can expats rent on their own?

10. Is health care difficult to find/get? I'm in my 20s and have no health problems, but I'm wandering if many (any) employers offer health care, and if not what expats usually do about that.


I know it sounds like I'm expecting the Moon to be handed to me on a silver platter. Not so. I just want to get as many of my illusions shattered in advance - the easy way! (Don't resent me: I've done it the hard way twice now.)

Vietnam is one of those "mystery countires" like Singapore on this board. Eveyone know teaching goes on there, but it's not as easy to get a picture of life there as, say, Korea, China, Taiwan or Japan. Please, if you can help with even one of my questions, respond! PM me! Whatever!

[Cali]

Thats a lot of questions I will answer what I can...

[Wolf]

Thanks for the input. You post was helpful!

Is there anyone with work experience who has imput on the job questions I asked?

[hanisay]

It's a whole other world as far as the hellos and spitting are concerned. People will say hello often, but I get the distinct feeling their not making fun of me, and if you say hello back, they'll usually start asking you where you're from, what your name is, and want to get to know you. They're very friendly and welcoming for the most part (at least where I am), and almost no spitting action (compared to China), but then there's still lots of peeing on the street.

[Wolf]

Oh, my another answer! Yay!

Sorry for giving up but forgive me for noticing it just now. If anyone wants to answer any more of my questions, please feel free! It's good typing practice!

Seriously, any help is appiricated help.

[kitkat]

[Tiger Beer]

Regarding staring and the 'hello' syndrom. Vietnam is nothing like China in that regard. For one, there are massive amounts of tourists and backpackers all over anywhere in Vietnam that you would most likely be teaching Vietnam - considering you are most likely going to end up in Hanoi or Saigon. You'll have another thing happen instead however.. which is quite a few people saying 'motorbike motorbike' because its kind of like a taxi. If you buy your own motorbike you'll cut down on that A LOT. My biggest complaint and annoyance with Vietnam was that too many people wanted to make a $1 by giving me a ride on the ol' motorbike. Regarding staring and 'hello' syndrom. Its not like that at all. Also, Vietnamese people smile and laugh constantly.. opposite of China it seems.

Foreigners are very welcome in Vietnam. Actually, I'm an American guy.. and most Vietnamese loved me. Everyone seemed to have family somewhere in the US and often asked me if by chance I might know them and whatever else - this is significantly higher among the people in southern Vietnam. I never had any problem whatsoever there.. and there is a lot of excitement in the air there. People didn't seem to have any resentment whatsoever. They were more excited to be having westerners in their country.. as well as the possibility of having outside interest as well as money enter their country. I was very well-received everywhere I went. (Just as an aside.. as an American.. the 'American War' as they call it.. was just a fairly small and short one along a very long progression of constant wars with predominately France and China.. and then later with Cambodia (after the 'American War' ended). As an American, most Vietnamese seemed to have a lot of pride about winning that one as well as winning against every other kind of colonial (French) and China (tried to invade) powers. I noted you were Canadian, so naturally the would probably be interest in you as well as some Vietnamese have went there as well as the French connection with Quebec. So you'd he well-received as well.

Regarding dual pricing systems. Anything with 'English' on the menu seems to have higher prices. Also, they do seem to try to charge foreigners more money for just about everything and anything. However, that being said, even on a teaching salary, everything is very much in check and still very affordable. Also, in addition, it seems the more time you spend there the more you figure out where to go for things which cuts down on costs. Overall, the payment given to English teachers is significant enough that whatever price they do want to charge you, its still quite a bargain.

Prime target to beggars. Yes, this is annoying. All kinds of people seem to want to get a $1 from you somehow or another. The strangest and most unusual people will come and ask at times. Kids do all of the time as well. It becomes more annoying than anything. However, I don't feel its dangerous by any means. I believe there is also a law that any crime done to a foreigners is something like seven-fold and just simply not tolerated whatsoever. I never felt in any danger whatsoever.

[Guest]

I was living in Ho Chi Minh City for two months - July and August and they do not stare at you there as they do here in China. The beggars are better in Vietnam though - the ones here in China are very AGGRESSIVE.

People will not take a tip in China whereas they EXPECT a tip in H.C.M.C.

I have contacts for 3 Schools in Saigon if anyone wants them

Just email me on: [email protected]


Marlene

AT LEAST IT IS HOT THERE - IT IS BLOODY COLD HERE!