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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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 Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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| TRH wrote: |
| You don't seem to interested in that route but with your background maybe you could find university or technical college work in IT instruction. The better pay could mean fewer hours. |
Hey, that's not a bad idea. I actually enjoy teaching IT, it's just the cubicle-dwelling, soul-sucking day-to-day IT work that gets to me. |
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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Brunouno wrote: |
| Yes, it's not worth doing if you're not planning to teach for a long time. I can't quite understand though why someone wouldn't want to do it just because they're teaching part time. You're still doing the same job whether full time or part time, and 15 hours a week isn't far off a full time gig. |
First, thank you for your advice (everybody). I was a little afraid to post here because it seems like some dudes get ripped to shreds. 
So, let me know if I have this right: I've read there are several levels of jobs, ranging from playing games with kids, to formal university classrooms, and business english. Somewhere in the middle (in the mill schools?) there's a need for a native english speaker to simply help with pronunciation and conversation, while somebody else (a native VN) handles grammar and theory. Is that about right?
So, since my desire is to be that person that helps teach pronunciation, doesn't CELTA cover a lot more than that (which I likely would not use)? |
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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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There's actually a lot the CELTA doesn't cover. It doesn't train you how to effectively handle large, mono-lingual classrooms or how to best teach children which is what most of the jobs in Vietnam are.
But it's still the best certificate out there. So it's worth it just to get you into the few schools which require it... Like Apollo. |
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mark_in_saigon
Joined: 20 Sep 2009
Posts: 837
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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There is a monster thread on the ILA CELTA. There is good and bad. I was recently talking to a guy who went that route who was quite disappointed in the program, especially the favoritism displayed by the instructors. Turned out one of the students who was getting the pass A was secretly dating one of the instructors, what a coincidence! None of these organizations are perfect, and your experience can be okay or it can be rotten, depending on how you get chewed up in the system. Based on the profile of the OP, I would just suggest a cert is good, but putting yourself through a bunch of malarkey may not be necessary. However, an easier cert may be just as ridiculous, but in its own special (yet different) way. That is why for some it may be best just to get the cheapest, easiest, most low down cert there is, which looks and acts like a real cert, you sit through the classes, but it is only about 500 bucks. Totally Mickey Mouse. If any one provider would actually do their job properly, it might be a bit more clear cut. Not saying for sure, but maybe Apollo is doing theirs without all the foolishness that the others have, maybe not, but perhaps worth a look anyway.
If you really want to go over this discussion in detail, you should move it to that cert thread in the stickies, it will update and then all the readers can see all that past info there, much of which is still quite relevant. |
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VietCanada
Joined: 30 Nov 2010
Posts: 590
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie thinking about teaching in HCMC |
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| calidan wrote: |
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 |
Do you have any experience teaching? With classroom management? Getting results teaching while simultaneously entertaining?
This is a long shot a best. With no experience it is highly unlikely anyone is going to give you enough classes at a rate to make $1000 a month. Maybe 500 to 700 but if you can't do those things I asked about you will be unemployed rather quickly.
I have 11 years experience at this and I can't tell you how many have failed simply because they haven't got a clue about teaching in a classroom let alone the subject matter. My advice to you is to take a TEFL course, for example, that has a classroom component where you are observed and can observe experienced teachers. At least 120 hours long. You should be able to get recommendations from people in California.
If you like it, if it fits and you do well then give it a shot by all means. Just be clear that the course is not a predictor of success. It is rather an introduction for you to what it takes to teach. |
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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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| mark_in_saigon wrote: |
If you really want to go over this discussion in detail, you should move it to that cert thread in the stickies, it will update and then all the readers can see all that past info there, much of which is still quite relevant. |
Thanks, Mark. I've read through that thread but find it a bit confusing, with all the unfamiliar (to me) acronyms being thrown about. I think this issue of what course to take is something I don't have to worry about until I get in-country. I'm aware of the documents needed to teach (Diploma, police report, etc.) that I need to bring from the US, so I'll worry about that now, and worry about which course later. |
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VietCanada
Joined: 30 Nov 2010
Posts: 590
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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| calidan wrote: |
| mark_in_saigon wrote: |
If you really want to go over this discussion in detail, you should move it to that cert thread in the stickies, it will update and then all the readers can see all that past info there, much of which is still quite relevant. |
Thanks, Mark. I've read through that thread but find it a bit confusing, with all the unfamiliar (to me) acronyms being thrown about. I think this issue of what course to take is something I don't have to worry about until I get in-country. I'm aware of the documents needed to teach (Diploma, police report, etc.) that I need to bring from the US, so I'll worry about that now, and worry about which course later. |
If you're coming to Vietnam you only need a 100 hour online TEFL course to teach legally. ITTT has multiple choice questions. If you want get an idea of what it's like to actually teach before hand then you should take a course with a classroom component as I said previously. Taking it in your home country will save you a lot of grief and money if you don't like it.
Some people just show up here hoping to teach illegally then do what they need to do afterwards. A bad idea but,,, |
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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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| VietCanada wrote: |
| Taking it in your home country will save you a lot of grief and money if you don't like it. |
How so? It seems like it would be much cheaper to take it in Vietnam. |
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RustyShackleford
Joined: 13 May 2013
Posts: 449
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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Plane tickets, housing, transportation to/from classroom?
By the way, ITTT isn't multiple choice last time I checked unless something has changed dramatically. |
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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 12:24 am Post subject: |
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| RustyShackleford wrote: |
| Plane tickets, housing, transportation to/from classroom? |
Ah, sorry, I wasn't clear: I've decided to move to HCMC for a lifestyle change, regardless of teaching. In other words, I'm moving there and taking a TEFL class in the US won't change that. |
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Demonietto
Joined: 19 Apr 2013
Posts: 50
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| Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 2:56 am Post subject: Re: Newbie thinking about teaching in HCMC |
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| VietCanada wrote: |
| My advice to you is to take a TEFL course, for example, that has a classroom component where you are observed and can observe experienced teachers. At least 120 hours long. |
I second this abridged advice. The observation component gives you a chance to get any jitters and doubts out and get the feel of what it's like being in a classroom, and then get constructive criticism. Doing it in-country will also help you acclimate to VN students specifically. The CELTA seems to be more for the higher end schools, which you could easily avoid and still make your $ goal. |
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Dream_Seller
Joined: 01 Feb 2014
Posts: 78
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 3:00 am Post subject: |
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I'm similar to you. I'd say take the CELTA-- have some framework to teach grammar.
Vietnam does seem to have a thriving TECH scene. I'm sure if you look you will find the entrepreneurial crowd.
I'll light a candle for us  |
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calidan
Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 4:15 am Post subject: |
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Ha! You guys are confusing me!
Demonietto, I'm leaning toward your and VietCanada's suggestion, as it sounds more in line with my goals. However, Dream_Seller, I see the value in spending the time and money to do the CELTA, since that's what seems to get the most respect.
As for tech entrepreneurs, I'm familiar with that in HCMC and originally thought I might pursue something like developing an iPhone/iPad app. The problem is, you need a good idea, and it's a lot of work for an uncertain payoff. I think generating even $1000 per month would be a challenge. |
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