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What are minimum requirements for ESL work in HCMC?

 
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leretif9



Joined: 24 Mar 2013
Posts: 152
PostPosted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:01 am    Post subject: What are minimum requirements for ESL work in HCMC? Reply with quote
How realistic is it to assume that I can get work teaching ESL and pay my bills if:

I arrive in Saigon/HCMC with $2000,

and my only qualifications are being a native speaker and having a BA in English? I have no previous experience teaching ESL.

Thanks in advance...
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skarper



Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 477
PostPosted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 8:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Getting by - probably manage if you don't live the high life.

If you have serious debts or a need to save money - slim. People like you usually make about 1200-1500 a month. Sometimes more if they work a lot.

Tax will be a big bite of this - and the costs of visa runs will eat up several hundred USD a year.

If you can save up enough to do a CELTA [and work hard enough for 30 days to pass it] then you can significantly up your level. But that is quite a big if. It costs about 3000USD to do this and quite a lot of people drop out because it's hard work.

Many many threads on this already - so check them out for other POVs.
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RustyShackleford



Joined: 13 May 2013
Posts: 449
PostPosted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
It can be done. Read my thread "Saga of a Vietnam TEFL Newbie" for a blow-by-blow breakdown of my departure and arrival.
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mk87



Joined: 01 Apr 2013
Posts: 61
PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 5:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
A celta isn't $3000... or if it is I'd like to know who it is who is charging that. Its around $1700 at ILA and Apollo.
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skarper



Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 477
PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You do have to factor in the cost of accommodation and food 'cos they are not included. And you could also factor in lost earnings - which IMO means to do a CELTA costs about 5000USD.
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ieltsteacher102



Joined: 24 Jun 2014
Posts: 37
PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
rusty i dont have time to look for that can you send me a link also how long can i survive on 2000 usd do they have dorm rooms in hcmc also can you tell me about veg restaurants and can i ride a moto without a drivers license
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RustyShackleford



Joined: 13 May 2013
Posts: 449
PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=104369

About two months if súper thrifty. Yes. There is one on Vo Thi Sau road which was pretty good and Yes you can.
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Prof.Gringo



Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
PostPosted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:37 am    Post subject: Re: What are minimum requirements for ESL work in HCMC? Reply with quote
leretif9 wrote:
How realistic is it to assume that I can get work teaching ESL and pay my bills if:

I arrive in Saigon/HCMC with $2000,

and my only qualifications are being a native speaker and having a BA in English? I have no previous experience teaching ESL.

Thanks in advance...


Yeah, on 2 g's you'll need to really be thrifty. Set-up shop in the D-1 backpacker "ghetto" of Pham Ngu Lao/Bui Vien Streets. Buy a pirate copy of LP. Get a map. Learn the buses or ride a xe om. Apply to every single language center in the area.

GOOD LUCK!
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VietCanada



Joined: 30 Nov 2010
Posts: 590
PostPosted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 3:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Legally you need a bachelors degree and a teaching certificate. The teaching certificate is described as a TEFL,TESOL or equivalent. These can be earned online for 200 to 300 dollars. It would take a couple weeks to 6 months to complete the course depending on the course itself and your knowledge of or skill with English grammar.

Teaching illegally could get you arrested, fined and a record that would make travelling from your home country all but impossible. I don't know of anyone that has been arrested for teaching illegally.
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