Job Discussion Forums

[milesmik]

Hi,

I am a 25 year old college graduate with some teaching experience. I am also Korean-America. I would like to ask those of you with some experience in Vietnam if the schools are open-minded about hiring someone who is a native speaker but not caucasian. Also, have you worked with or have you seen any other non-whites working at the schools? Your responses would be greatly appreciated.

[buddy bradley]

I've seen Asian-Americans working at some schools, although I don't know how much they get paid. If you're black, forget about teaching English here.

It's true.

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

I know some Vietnamese, whose English I would describe as competent and nothing more, who work as English teachers in their spare time at schools/universities. So I wouldn't have thought that, as a native US English speaker, you'd have too many problems.

[khong muon]

[Alexandria]

I'm a native speaker who is of Colombian heritage. Due to my dark skin and hair I'm often asked if I'm part Vietnamese (or Thai when I'm there, or Cambodian...)

However, this has not hindered my ability to find teaching employment in the least. Once they see my education and experience and hear me speak, it's obvious that I'm a native speaker. I've not had any trouble... at least in landing teaching gigs.

Once though, when I was living in China, a camera crew knocked on my door. When I opened it they asked for the new American teacher. When I told them that it was me, their faces fell and they excused themselves. I found out later that they were seeking a blonde haired, blue-eyed foreigner to film a commercial for them. They found a Russian student down the hall who fit the bill!

[Alexandria]

The current Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate in HCMC, Robert Ogburn, is a Korean-American.

You can contact him directly if you'd like. He'd be happy to answer your question. Send me an e-mail if you'd like his contact info, or look at the consulate site online.