Job Discussion Forums

existenchill · Joined: 27 Mar 2015 Posts: 1

Hi guys!

I'm looking for information about TEFL / TESOL certificate courses in Vietnam (preferably Hanoi)

I was going to do a course here, but I won't have enough time-

Thanks in advance Smile

(Trying to find something that's not going to break the bank as well, but ANY leads are welcome. No online stuff- Thanks!)

esl_prof · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 10:51 pm Post subject:

Your best bet is CELTA, which is offered at four different centers in Vietnam, two in Hanoi and two in Ho Chi Minh City.

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-a-teaching-centre/

VietCanada · Joined: 30 Nov 2010 Posts: 590

CELTA is for teaching adults. The vast majority of jobs here are teaching children. This is because the government mandated that foreign teachers teach in all public schools. This happened about 4 or five years ago. That is where all the new jobs come from. Especially for newbies. I am considering reporting the post to Dave's ES Cafe moderators but I am unsure that they have a category for blatantly giving false information to newbies to this board.

Just check the government sites and it's clear that having a bachelor's degree and any teaching certificate, including a $200 online TEFL is all that's required to work legally in this country.

There are hundreds maybe thousands of private schools in Vietnam. About three of them sell CELTA certs They are big chains but neither they nor anyone else will hire you on the basis of having a CELTA. It's virtually useless here for a newbie and very expensive. Around $5000 at least in this country considering flight and accommodation and living expenses.

Only one company in Vietnam is legallly registered to teach the Cambridge Program- EMG. The owner is a nutjob and is why most teachers quit after a month or so. The teachers do not require a CELTA to work there. They only teach children in public schools.

EMG teachers teach English, Math and Science. In what reality does a CELTA prepare one to teach Math or Science or English to public school students?

I would highly recommend this school by the way if one has the tools to ignore the owner. The rest of the staff and the DOSs are first class.

esl_prof · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 2:16 am Post subject:

VietCanada · Joined: 30 Nov 2010 Posts: 590

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

So you suggest an online course when he specifically stated he didn't want one? I don't know what you have against the CELTA. Based on most of your posts on here you're either very upset at the CELTA course or the CELTA examiners. Sounds like you tried the course and either failed or were told the teaching you've been doing for years was wrong.

Anyone in the ESL field will tell you that you should get the CELTA or Trinity TESOL certificate if you want to teach English. It doesn't matter if the CELTA course is designed to teach adults or kids. Every language center in the world recognizes the CELTA as the best TESOL certification there is. Online certs are worth about as much as the paper they're printed on. Sure you can land a $15 per hour job at some run-down mill that asks to work illegally. If you want that, go ahead.

If you want the jobs that pay $25 per hour, provide health insurance, sponsor work permits and residents cards, and whatever other benefits, then you'll either take the CELTA or get your degree in teaching.

esl_prof · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 5:05 pm Post subject:

esl_prof · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 5:18 pm Post subject:

VietCanada · Joined: 30 Nov 2010 Posts: 590

Google is your friend.

http://avse.edu.vn/tesol/

http://www.eslbase.com/courses/vietnam/

http://www.internationalteflacademy.com/vietnam-english-teaching-jobs-abroad-asia

This link explains that TEFL/TESOL courses cover all types of learners- young, adult, business, one on one and large groups. Additionally you can take a free 50 hour course in business or young learners after you complete the course.

https://www.teflcourse.net/tefl-infographics/why-take-a-TEFL-course/

Just yelling CELTA every time someone asks about quals for teaching EFL is getting old. Fighting back whenever any one suggests an alternative is puerile and obviously obvious.

A 120 hour online course is sufficient for most countries in the world. But you should investigate the county(s) you're interested in. Look for boards that are solely about teaching in those countries and ask questions.

Neither of these posters currently teach in Vietnam. One of them never has. He/she is angry about an online TEFL/TESOL being a proposed as an alternative to the CELTA just because you know, it just isn't done in the civilized world! Heaven forbid! Did someone just say o-o-o-online? God save us all!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 4:15 pm Post subject:

Looks like snake oil salesmanship : )

An online course is as good as not taking any course at all. Though the course fees have to be forked over. So, much more economical to just print your own cert. There will be just about the same level of learning either way. Which is to say none at all.

Save your money. Don't get scammed.

But if you do, and suffer buyer's remorse, attacking Celta seems to be the thing to do afterwards : ))

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

I came in with an online degree and was able to use my JET experience as leverage for most places in Vietnam. I actually thought the ITTT course was useful as a refresher and would recommend anyone who is doing the Hagwon, Eikaiwa or Institute game to, if nothing else, grab that. The knowledge is good and the tutor was actually attentive and critical, if sometimes laconic. I would sometimes purposefully stick things as an "Are you listening?" bs test and she would catch them. It also was good for my visa in Vietnam and doesn't look awful on a resume either.

However, between an online or a CELTA. Yeah. CELTA wins hands down and no questions asked. Lots of places I'm trying to apply in Saudi and Oman seem to not replying despite having an MA on my way. It's really discouraging to be honest.

esl_prof · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:06 pm Post subject:

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

VietCanada · Joined: 30 Nov 2010 Posts: 590

So this is now Dave's CELTA Cafe?

I think the answer of which course is better is best answered by a very large group of people who have studied both. Maybe a thousand or so, ask a statistician. I don't see that here.

I think the best answer for a newbie is to look at what's legally required to attain a work permit in the country one is seeking to work in. Then look at the ads for that country and see what the employers require.

Just jumping up and down yelling CELTA as if everyone has a few thousand to throw around just to find out if they even like the job, without considering the students, the job or the country and branding anyone who informs the poster of other options a CELTA hater is puerile and quite frankly, obviously obvious.

I don't care for CELTA because of what some people who took the course told me about their experience. But, that doesn't stop me suggesting it as an option (if no-one else has LOL), suggesting it as PD or suggesting it where it appears to be warranted.

But arguing that someone who is going to, wants to or is likely to be teaching children should spend thousands on a course to teach adults is simply and obviously wrong.

Keep on shilling and spinning. It's not as if people coming to this board for advice on certs need the real picture or can't find it elsewhere.

But you go girls.

CELTA- you're other with us or agin us.