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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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 Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 8:36 pm Post subject: Newbie thinking about teaching in HCMC |
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Hi everybody,
I’ve been lurking for a while here, and just joined to say thanks(!) to the regular posters for providing such thorough information, as well as post some questions about my situation...
I’m 46, a caucasian american male, and live in California now, but I plan to relocate to HCMC within the next 3 months. I’m lucky in that I have enough of a nest egg that I don’t have to work, if I spend wisely in a low-cost area like many places in SEA. However, I wouldn’t mind having a part-time job, just to have something to do and make a little bit of spending money. I have a BS in Computer Science, but no TEFL certifications or experience. However, I used to teach introductory computer skills classes part-time back in the ‘90s. I find it fun and rewarding, and not because it was computer-based. (Actually, I’m pretty sick of the IT/computer field and want to work and interact with normal humans again).
Anyway, I’m wondering if there are opportunities in HCMC teaching English where I can:
— Work weekday evenings, perhaps 3 hours per day/15 hours per week
— Teach young adults
— Focus on pronunciation, listening, and conversation skills
— Make approximately $900-$1000 per month
Note: I *think* that’s what I’d like to do, but I’m open to hearing why it’s a bad plan. If it’s possible, what is the appropriate TEFL certification to get? And what type of school needs people like that?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks much!
Dan |
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Okie from Muskogee
Joined: 31 Jan 2014
Posts: 55
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 12:57 am Post subject: |
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A good friend of mine who have semi-retired like yourself is actually living it up in vietnam with his vietnamese wife. He is currently teaching part-time only to keep himself occupied and making a bit of spending money.
As long as you have enough money in your pocket, open-mindedness, maturity/experience, and wits to deal with occasional hurtles crossing a few red tapes here and there, everything you've asked are certainly doable.
By law TEFL is required but most people here are working without TEFL cert., WP, etc. etc.... But I'd think it would be a good investment to get a TEFL cert. There are lots of outfits that offer that here so best to get here and shop around. Once in your TEFL course you can network with other people there. There are plenty of teaching jobs here to get your feet wet.
Last edited by Okie from Muskogee on Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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RustyShackleford
Joined: 13 May 2013
Posts: 449
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 12:58 am Post subject: |
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Everything you say sounds reasonable enough. My only suggestion would be to spend a couple hundred bucks on an Online TEFL cert because, while some smaller outfits are more than happy to hire someone fresh with just a BA, a certificate will open you up to higher pay, better language centers and, most importantly, make the visa a bit easier to process. (Anybody feel free to clarify.)
Teaching pronunciation shouldn't be a problem at a place like VUS, where the foreign teacher focuses on use while a separate Vietnamese teacher focuses on grammar and theory.
My only concern is that $1000/mo (or 22 million VND) is rather low outside of decent housing. However, it IS a livable wage, especially if you're not into partying and eating only at the expat joints. |
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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:44 am Post subject: |
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| Okie from Muskogee wrote: |
A good friend of mine who have semi-retired like yourself is actually living it up in vietnam with his vietnamese wife. He is currently teaching part-time only to keep himself occupied and making a bit of spending money.
As long as you have enough money in your pocket, open-mindedness, maturity/experience, and wits to deal with occasional hurtles crossing a few red tapes here and there, everything you've asked are certainly doable.
By law TEFL is required but most people here are working without TEFL cert., WP, etc. etc.... But I'd think it would be a good investment to get a TEFL cert. There are lots of outfits that offer that here so best to get here and shop around. Once in your TEFL course you can network with other people there. There are plenty of teaching jobs here to get your feet wet. |
That's good to hear. I know that CELTA is the preferred certification to get, but I'm wondering if (1) I really need that since I just want to work part-time, not have a career, and (2) if I could make it through the course, as I've read it's pretty grueling. What do you suggest? |
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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:52 am Post subject: |
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| RustyShackleford wrote: |
| Everything you say sounds reasonable enough. My only suggestion would be to spend a couple hundred bucks on an Online TEFL cert because, while some smaller outfits are more than happy to hire someone fresh with just a BA, a certificate will open you up to higher pay, better language centers and, most importantly, make the visa a bit easier to process. (Anybody feel free to clarify.) |
Hi Rusty.
I have a BS -- I assume that doesn't hurt me (?).
I read another thread that suggested ITTT online TEFL (it might have been one of yours!). Good enough, you think?
| Quote: |
Teaching pronunciation shouldn't be a problem at a place like VUS, where the foreign teacher focuses on use while a separate Vietnamese teacher focuses on grammar and theory. |
That sounds ideal! It's not that I dislike grammar, but I think pronunciation/conversation would be more interesting and to my liking.
| Quote: |
My only concern is that $1000/mo (or 22 million VND) is rather low outside of decent housing. However, it IS a livable wage, especially if you're not into partying and eating only at the expat joints. |
Ah, that would just be extra pocket money. I'm actually budgeting $2000 per month to live in D1, which I think is plenty as I'm not a party animal, and prefer banh mi to hamburgers.  However, having about $1000 income means the difference between my investments staying flat (adjusted for inflation) versus nice growth. In other words, I can afford not to work, but working a bit would give me an additional cushion. |
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TRH
Joined: 27 Oct 2011
Posts: 340
Location: Hawaii
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:50 am Post subject: |
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| calidan wrote: |
| I know that CELTA is the preferred certification to get, but I'm wondering if (1) I really need that since I just want to work part-time, not have a career, and (2) if I could make it through the course, as I've read it's pretty grueling. What do you suggest? |
As one who did not get a CELTA I would say 1) No you don't need it but it would be a good idea. It will give you a realistic idea if you really want to teach but most of all it is the most desired certification from the employer point of view. 2) I expect it is designed to encourage you to pass.
| calidan wrote: |
| I have a BS -- I assume that doesn't hurt me (?) |
Work permit rules specify only a Bachelor's degree and a TEFL certificate.
| calidan wrote: |
| I'm actually budgeting $2000 per month to live in D1, which I think is plenty as I'm not a party animal, and prefer banh mi to hamburgers. However, having about $1000 income means the difference between my investments staying flat (adjusted for inflation) versus nice growth. In other words, I can afford not to work, but working a bit would give me an additional cushion. |
There are fairly great differences in cost of living between districts. I average a little over 20million VND and my wife puts half of that in the bank every month with a little less if we travel. We live in a nice apartment but eat most of our meals at home. Our rent is 4 million which is unheard of in D1. I think you need to get north D1, D3, and D5 and certainly not go south to D7 if you want to live comfortably for less. A single friend of mine told me that he keeps records and he spends $300US per month on food and beer 100% eating outside. In D1 that number might be double. Vietnamese acquaintances who have middle class jobs tell me they are stunned by the price of eating downtown. |
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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 5:19 am Post subject: |
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| TRH wrote: |
| There are fairly great differences in cost of living between districts. I average a little over 20million VND and my wife puts half of that in the bank every month with a little less if we travel. We live in a nice apartment but eat most of our meals at home. Our rent is 4 million which is unheard of in D1. I think you need to get north D1, D3, and D5 and certainly not go south to D7 if you want to live comfortably for less. A single friend of mine told me that he keeps records and he spends $300US per month on food and beer 100% eating outside. In D1 that number might be double. Vietnamese acquaintances who have middle class jobs tell me they are stunned by the price of eating downtown. |
So, last time I was in D1 (April, 2014), I found a few serviced studios, 35 sqm or so, with small kitchens and/or balcony for $350-400. I'd be happy with that initially, and maybe for a while, but I think I could do better. For example, a friend has a house in D1, three floors, which he rents for $750 per month (signed a 5-year lease). He lives on the top floor and sublets to two tenants on the 2nd floor. So he lives there very cheaply.
I could see myself spending $300 on food and beer easily, as I don't plan on cooking. Luckily, I prefer 333 to Heineken, and I can honestly say there is no western food I can't live without. If I never ate a steak again, I'd be okay with that.
Wherever I've lived, I've always chosen a place in the cheaper areas because that's the responsible thing to do. This time, I've decided I'm going to start in D1 first and go from there. D3 seems fine, also, but I already know D7 is not for me. I'm sure as I explore the city, my mind will change.
I saw a few places in D10 selling gorgeous restored classic Vespas for $1200 or so, and I love the idea of having one of those. Or maybe a restored Honda 67. I understand you have to be careful with the quality of these restored bikes, so hopefully I can find somebody who knows the ropes who can help me get a good one.
Anyway, sorry for the ramble. I can't wait to get back there and start the next chapter in my life. |
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Okie from Muskogee
Joined: 31 Jan 2014
Posts: 55
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