Job Discussion Forums

[paddyflynn]

I taught ESL in Korea in the '90's, then came back to the States and became a lawyer. Now I'm 40. I'm burnt out on law and I want to get back into teaching.

I don't have a TEFL cert, but I am enrolled in U Mass' online MA in applied linguistics program. I have 12 credits with a 4.0 GPA, and solid legal credentials.

I don't want to work for a language school that wants me to teach 6 hours a day, or that bills me out for corporate classes at $45 an hour and only pays me $15. I want to market myself to teach business English to executives and partners at companies, law firms and banks.

My thought is to join a nice health club, play some golf, network with powerful people, take out an ad in a business paper, hire a translator for negotiations, and get my own classes.

My understanding is that immigration doesn't care about teachers on tourist visas, so that shouldn't be a problem. Are there any other issues I need to think about?

[ExpatLuke]

Like you said, the only trouble you would likely have is working on tourist visa. It sounds like you have a bit of money saved up to support yourself, join health and golf clubs, and hire a translator.

If you're planning on doing entirely private classes, then you don't need to worry about any TEFL certification. Although, if you put an ad in the paper, you might cause some unwanted inquiries about your visa situation.

[LettersAthruZ]

[charlesmarlow]

I meet a lot of EFL teachers who are interested in delivering English programmes to companies but most of them fail.

If one wants to be successful at teaching English courses to companies, one should first obtain experience teaching in-company programmes for a reputable school. This way one can understand and gain the knowledge and experience in delivering professional programmes.

It's much more complex than most people think.

You need experience/knowledge in the following areas:

International standard assessment testing
Writing detailed course outlines
Developing TNA's
Selecting appropriate textbooks and materials
Designing progress tests
Developing materials for the students' and client's needs
Writing progress and end of course reports
Giving presentations to the client
Experience teaching a variety of EFL programmes
Etc, Etc

I know a few teachers who are doing this in Vietnam but they are not new teachers and have a lot of in-company training experience.

Also, you will not meet the right people in gyms, golfing etc. The most effective system is direct marketing, send intro letter to HR Manager or training manager to get a meeting to discuss the EFL courses. They are the decision makers and most of them have a lot of knowledge concerning the EFL industry in Vietnam. Finally, one will need TEFL qualifications or the door will never open.

Best of luck.

[skarper]

I agree mostly with the poster above (charlesmarlow).

However - what I am dubious about is that the 'reputable' schools deliver on any of the shopping list of skills or that there are many reputable schools in Vietnam that would even try.

Business is usually done via a 'who you know' system and that is how the marketing is focussed. It is all just a scam really.

I honestly think that if someone with enough resources and determination set about carving themselves a niche in this market they could make inroads. I suspect though that the 'reputable' players would put obstacles in his/her way and may even be able to cause trouble with immigration. They wouldn't bother for a small operation but if and when it took off and really started to threaten their profits they might.

I don't think there is any legal way to operate such a business in Vietnam and while it may be possible to do so illegally for a time I would always worry that a big fish would be on my tail...so to speak. Just my 2000 vnd.

Quite curious how this works out for the OP and I certainly wish him well. Vietnam needs to break out of it's current stagnant EFL pond and try other ideas.