Job Discussion Forums

[scottiemac]

Do any of the friendly experts on EslCafe have any thoughts/knowledge about this school? It's in HCM city. I believe it may be this school: http://www.vatc.net/

Just looking for whatever information I can manage to find!

Thanks!

[lizarddoctor]

see the New Tax issue concerning VATC a little lower in the threads and you will see how VATC treats teachers. The truth is they were busted by the Vietnam Government a few months ago for tax evasion and were fined about 1.5 billion VND - around 100,000$ USD. In response, they sacked their part timers with an illegal tax and eventually paid it back. They have cleaned up their act a little bit, but they are now taxing teachers differently depending on who signs their crappy contract and who does not. There is a lot of pressure put on some teachers to work in outer district schools even though the main branch in district 3 only runs 3 of the schools in HCMC itself. Their pay is substandard but will give you lots of hours if you don't mind spending all of your time travelling through hell and high water working at 3-6 different locations. The thread is also on Mekong ESL and Saigon ESL representing different aspects of the past tax issue. There are greener pastures out there. This school is still not correctly taxing teachers and it wouldn't be a surprise if the Government Tax Dept. stops back in to get another chunk of dough. Would you want to be there when it happens again?

[Blade]

[countdown]

My husband and I just signed our second one year contract with VATC and despite rumours to the contrary are more than satisfied with them. The pay rate is in line with most other schools, the staff are friendly and helpful and they are reasonable well organized for VN. The same people keep bashing VATC yet lots of teachers there return after trying other schools and countries so there must be a reason for that. I have worked at primary schools, high school and university here - the pays was slightly better, the headaches and chaos were a great deal worse.
I see alot of threads telling teachers to stand up for themselves and negotiate a good contract - this is certainly possible at VATC and seniority there actually counts for something.
This "tax" thing has gone on long enough - if you're not happy then get out of Dodge. You pay tax everywhere but there are few countries that offer as low a cost of living as VN. You CAN save money here, lots of it and VATC has lots of branches and lots of work. No one to my knowledge has been forced to work anywhere they don't want to and if you work outside of the main area you are paid a travel allowance. One school even sends a car for the teachers.
I'm not sure who died and left you guys in charge but just because you seem to spend most of your waking hours on the internet doesn't make you the last word in schools in HCMC.

[lizarddoctor]

[Snaff]

[countdown]

Just to set the record straight we have paid tax right from the get go - maybe it wasn't all legal but VATC has tried to correct their mistake and they are definitely not alone. They are one of the biggest franchises, they have a lot of teachers so naturally they are fair game for any naysayers as is any other school.
I'd also like to point out that we don't fit any of the criteria mentioned in Snaff's 6 criteria - we are well educated with no criminal backgrounds and come from very well developed countries. We cam here primarily as an adventure and to see Asia and liked HCMC well enough to stay another year - the money that we are able to save is a lovely perk.
If the purpose of this site is to help new teachers coming in, then why must it only be one side of the coin that is presented? It's a well known fact that most people posting have something negative to say and the happy chappies are quiet.
The teachers who may have complained may have had other reasons for doing so - please don't presume that all ESL teachers here are sweetness and light because they're not. Some are not qualified and couldn't be trusted to teach my cat. Some have no problems taking their students to bed, some use the classroom as a personal forum to let the students know how important they are - ethics and morality and legality apply to the teachers as well as the schools.
The bottom line is that this is NOT our country and we are guests here. It's not our place to tell people here how to run their businesses and most of us don't truly understand how things are done here. Maybe VATC does have some problems but it also has a lot of positive things going for it and my intention was to point those things out. I didn't fall off a turnip cart yesterday and this is not the first country or ESL job that I've ever had.
As an employee of VATC I naturally don't like to see my employer being continuously bashed on this forum and have the right to disagree with others.
No offense has been taken and no offense was intended - no harm in mixing it up a bit is there??????

[Snaff]

[lizarddoctor]

[lizarddoctor]

Sorry scottiemac for the topic to fly off center a bit, but usually the people who overwhelmingly support a school are involved in some other business with the school or have not even tried anywhere else to base their opinions on since the one school is all they really know. What is your opinion of VATC at this point and have you found any other information that would make you want to work there or the other way around? I do recommend teaching in Vietnam over most countries in Asia. Most of us are here for the lifestyle and other personal reasons, not the money. But the money here is much better than most if you get out there and find the right work environment to dedicate your time.

[countdown]

Lizard Doctor - I appreciate your zeal and understand that your goal is to help other teachers what I don't understand is why YOU"RE so angry that somebody challenged your opinion. It's a given that VATC screwed up in the tax dep't, I was also hit with the "back" tax and I can't say whether or not they would have done anything about it without the adverse publicity. What I really intended to say was and is that I find them to be good employers except for the tax error in the past.
I can name schools that have done/are still doing incorrect taxing and it puzzles me that you choose to be on VATCs case non stop. You obviously have a problem with a couple of people there and I 'm pretty sure I know who you mean but is there some other reason why VATC is on your shit list???
Your insinuation that I'm in business with VATC is personally offensive and ludicrous (they don't pay that well after all...) and I have worked at other schools in HCMC as well as doing the same thing you have done by being interviewed at other schools to see what they have to offer for comparison purposes. VATC isn't perfect but it isn't the monster that you make it out to be - if it were, would your friends still be working there???
I've said all that I have to say.
Sorry Scottiemac for getting off topic and good luck with your job search. HCMC has lots to offer as does VN and the students here are wonderful!!!!!!!

[lizarddoctor]

Y- let me clear up a few things...

[Blade]

[countdown]

ESL teacher......

[Kerry]

My purpose in responding is that, after one-year of employment with VATC, I feel compelled to express my opinion. The administration is deceitful and sleazy in that they 1) make promises which they do NOT keep and 2) treat their teachers (both foreign & Vietnamese) with little or no respect. This branch (not in HCMC) has NOT had a faculty meeting in over a year --the only meeting that 'happened' was forced upon the hierarchy by several foreign teachers that were totally disgusted with the Director (Principal); these staff members threatened to quit unless he was replaced. The Chief Administrator of the school (based in HCMC) then out-and-out lied (about an 'inside' evaluation of the situation/ conditions which he said never took place) to the entire faculty prompting these teachers to EXIT the next day.

I have had other issues with them and strongly encourage any and all prospective teachers to use extreme caution in dealing with all issues -- especially, their contracts. They are ambiguous and misleading. Also be careful about their promises of site of duty -- they promised me an assignment in a particular location. I only learned that this branch had not even opened upon my arrival in the country. They also extorted money from me to clear my personal effects -- most of which were teaching materials.

Please feel free to contact me for more specific details if you are considering employment with VATC.