Job Discussion Forums

[SkratchKat]

I apologize, in advance, for the redundancy of my message, even though it is my first. Many of the topics here relate to my questions, but it would be extremely helpful if I could have all of my questions acknowledged in one post. Reading many of the posts on the board, I see that this site has a wealth of knowledge and very accommodating people that assist in any way they can.
I am 25 years old. I was born in New Jersey and lived here all my life. I am Vietnamese (non-speaking) and Irish. I went to Vietnam for the first time in January 2004 and loved it. I was amazed on how well my family and I communicated even with the apparent language barrier. With a college background yet no degree, I am VERY interested in going to Vietnam and teach. I have researched TESL/TEFL certifercates and found that they offer classes in Saigon. It just so happens that I am going back to Vietnam in October and am finally considering doing this.
I would like to know what my chances are of finding a job after I receive my certification, if any? Because I do not speak Vietnamese, how would this effect me professionally? Many family-friends (rich ones in Vietnamese standards) of mine have asked me to teach them conversational English for descent pay, but what would the government have to say about that?
I know my questions are quite repetitive to the one's posted, but I would greatly appreciate some feedback.

[kinjo]

Being full blooded Vietnamese but left at a young age. I speak with no accent and do speak vietnamese myself, no degree, lotsa of IT experience in a high school. No one wants to touch me from the internet. I have not tried knocking on doors yet. but the impression i've been getting is that they do not hire Viets, maybe you cuz you are mixed. But a degree and 2-3 years experience is 90% necessary from the schools i've applied at. but these are bigger schools. a lot of the schools I hear are leading or making their students believe learning from a pure foreigner is better, so i'm kinda S.O.L.

Never the less you might have a change if you had some experience but not at the bigger schools. if you know anything about vietnamese people its that they demand HIGH quality. But they pay less than the taiwanese do. Cost of living is considerable lower in vietnam so you might be able to save some.

I had a school offer me $400 US a month to teach IT. which 25% goes to taxes I was told. i'd be getting paid as much as the locals, probably a little more so no its not worth it for me to leave a $35k a year job for an experiece like that. As much as I would LOVE to do it. it's just not financially right to me.

I might knock on doors when I go there for a vacation next month just to see what they say and if they make any offers but otherwise i dont plan on going through with it.

Good luck though, you'll NEED it!

[SkratchKat]

Thanks for responding. You mentioned that a $400 dollar a month salary was just as much as a local. I remember reading somewhere that the average salary was around $100 a month for a local Vietnamese. But I do understand the hesitation when you are currently receiving 35K. I hear that the locals do want to learn from a foreigner, however being able to speak Vietnamese, like yourself, would really come in handy. You brought up an interesting question though. What is the tax situation like in VN? I have not looked into that. 25% of your wages seems high. If you have any knowledge about this I would appreciate it.

[kinjo]

well i'm also assuming the locals get paid more for working at a university level school. the locals on average make like $70 a month at the nike factories.
and from what I hear, the locals prefer to learn grammar from the locals that teach it. but conversational speaking from a foreigner.
ie accent is better and the conversation flows much faster.

well here is a copy and paste of an email I got from one of the schools... it gives you a good idea of what they are willing to give me...

Dear BLAH BLAH
We pay our foreign teachers between US$1,000 to US$1,400 depending on their experience and qualifications. We presently have a Vietnamese lecturer with a Masters in Ed from Australia. From your CV, you do not appear to have much teaching experience. However you may be useful with your IT qualifications.
Getting you a visa is not a problem. The income tax for foreigners who
work for less than one full year is 25%. Your personal income tax would
probably be in the region of slightly less than US$100 per month.

Regards
SK Nair

so there you have it, use your own judgement....

[OzBurn]

I met a guy yesterday who was teaching at one of the bigger language schools in Saigon. He had no college degree and no CELTA or similar paper. I believe he was making at least twelve dollars an hour. He did have several years experience.

Many native Vietnamese work at language schools and arer paid to teach grammar. I don't know how much they make, but I would imagine it is a lot less than the native speakers make.

[turbulent eddy]

Think you'll get this one:

http://www.teachabroad.com/listingsp3.cfm/listing/16722

All the best...

[Micro67]

I would have to say that communicative skills are prioritized in Vietnam. Just a thought.