Job Discussion Forums

[pelican]

Hey there, anybody know the best time of year to go to Laos to seek work as an English teacher? For instance, when does the school year start? I have taught in Korea and Japan as well as my home country; am qualified at the Masters level (M.Ed.), although have no B.Ed. (B.A. English instead) and i have a uni TESL Certificate. Are all the schools in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, or are there also schools in Savanakhet? Pakse? I'm willing to work private schools, public schools, university, international schools. From previous postings on this subject i've seen what kind of salaries and living standards to expect. Does anybody know about the level of formality (for example, dress) expected? Surely, it would be less formal than Japan? thanks, pelican.

[Steph44]

I spent two years working as a principal/teacher in Laos. It was a great place to work and paid quite well compared to the cost of living. Most schools hire for September 1st, but there are also some language schools that hire year round. Try ACL, for example. I worked at Panyathip Bilingual School, and that was with children. There is also a language school called Century 21. I haven't been there in a couple of years, so my info may be dated. Let me know if you have any questions.

[pelican]

Thanks for your reply. In which town/city were you teaching? Was it suit and tie every day? How were the kids? As principal, you must have met all sorts of people in the community...how was that? I'm interested in getting a sense from you of what it might be like to live in Laos.
pelican

[Steph44]

I lived in Vientiane. It wasn't a shirt/tie kind of place. Men usually wore a dress shirt or polo. On special occasions someone would break out a tie, but that's it. Frankly, it was just too hot to be running around dressed to the hilt.

Lao people are very friendly, so I met a lot of people. I had good relations with everyone at our school and the parents. I had my favorite stalls at the market and never had any problems anywhere. Crimes like bag snatching are on the rise, but as long as you take care, I doubt you'll have any problems.

When I was there Vientiane was pretty much the only option, that may have changed! The best way to find a job in Laos is to be there though, it's hard to find things on the net. I did see one offer on ajarn.com. Like I said, considering the cost of living in Laos, I made a good salary and saved some to re-locate back to the US.

[Micro67]

[pelican]

Thanks for your info, Steph44

[friendoken]

Hey Pelican,

I taught in Laos for a year at two places, English House (owner name Frank Waldrop-wouldn't recommend it) and also at 21st Century School of English (owner name Alastair Maitland would absolutely recommend it). I'm back in Canada at the moment getting a degree in Applied Communication which I hope to turn into a job with an NGO when I return to Laos this July for good. I will emigrate there and say goodbye to winter forever.

Jobs are plentiful and the Laos are the nicest people I have ever met. It is very inexpensive to live there. You may want to try Vientiane College, they pay the best but expect the best credentials, ie: a degree and some experience.

[pelican]

Hi friendoken, thanks for your excellent tip about Vientiane College; turns out i read your post the same day that i left Laos...oh well, i'll be sure to check them out next time i go to Vientiane
Having just completed my third visit to Lao, i sure agree with you about the people...they seem to affect me in a way that feels too good to be true

Your idea to get an Applied Communications degree, then return to Laos with an NGO sounds interesting. Wouldn't mind knowing more about that.
stay well,
pelican

[friendoken]

Hey Pelican,
I understand what you mean about Laos, after all I married a Lao lady and built a beautiful house on the Mekong about 2km past the airport (land-labour-material-18K Cdn)

I am at Royal Roads in Victoria BC, Canada. With a previous degree you get two years credit, if you choose on campus you can do a blended program which is years 3 and 4 done in one year. It is busy, intense, and definitely not cheap. But it is well worth it. n excellent campus and university with great teachers and a truly world leading progressive teaching style.

I'll be back home this July. I graduate July 27 and will be out of here immediately.

Laos is home.

[hydrogonian]

Friendoken,

Ive been following your posts about Laos, and Im not saying you werent able to "marry" a Laotian girl, being a girl yourself, as stated in another post of yours on May 19, 2008:

[nomad22]

yes, i noticed the same thing. are you male or female friendoken??? a bit suss i might add.

[IanMWashburn]

Looks like I'll be in Vientiane on January 23rd, looking for work as a Corporate Language Trainer (CLT), a business or technical English teacher (ESP), or other English teaching / training / DOD position working with adults.

Can anyone here supply contact details of possible employers in Vientiane? These may be schools, but also may be organizations that specialize in CLT or other adult training, such as foreign affaris, tourism, etc.

If you like, you can send me a PM with any contact details, leads, or suggestions you may be willing to share.

Thanks for your help.

(There's some general information below)

--Ian

Ian M. Washburn, M.A.
University of Cambridge CELTA
Director of Studies
University Readiness Program
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ENGLISH
Guangzhou, 510610, China
+86 (0) 20 3810 5605
+86 150-1417-1294 mobile
[email protected]

__________________________________________________________

I am a mature San Francisco, California native, with an M.A. in psychology, a University of Cambridge CELTA, and four years experience doing Corporate Language Training and English teaching in China. (I was two and-a-half years in Shanghai, one year in Qingdao, and this past six months in Guangzhou.) During my time in China I have held a Foreign Expert's Certificate as issued by the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs (SAFEA) of the PRC.

During these past four years in China, I have worked primarily with adult employees of large multinational companies, doing Corporate Language Training as well as business and technical English training (ESP).

I also have considerable experience with young adults, particularly those preparing to attend universities abroad, whom I have trained in general English as well as preparation for exams such as the TOEFL and the IELTS, and also have helped these students prepare for the cultural differences they will encounter.

Sorry to say I do not work with children or beginning-level English students. My areas of competence include helping individuals at least at the lower intermediate level not only to acquire English language skills, but also to make the psychological and cultural transition from being passive learners to becoming self-actualizing persons. My education and training in humanistic psychological theory and methodologies helps me in these tasks.

I also have several decades of experience in business, finance and law, as well as broad life-experience.

Currently looking for long-term position in Vientiane, Laos.

__________________________________________________________

[blateson]

hygrogonian said: