Job Discussion Forums

[madamewoo]

Hi guys,

my apologies if this has been covered already -- I took a look on the forum but couldn't find an answer anywhere.

I have a Bachelor's degree in mathematics, but no CELTA. Would I be able to get a reasonable teaching job in Vietnam? Can I legally teach? I'm not expecting a top position, obviously, as I don't have top qualifications, but is something half decent possible?

I'm a native English speaker (fluent in French too), female, well-presented, 30 years old. I've taught mathematics at a summer camp for gifted teenagers, and tutored university students. I also have some decent work experience and qualifications in high-tech, but I must confess that I haven't taught English before.

If I have a reasonable chance of getting something with the qualifications I have already, I would be coming down next month to look in person.I've usually been told that I interview quite well in person -- do I have a chance of being accepted by a school without the CELTA if they like me in person?

I'm looking at HCMC in particular. Any info is quite appreciated. Thanks!

[si_in_edinburgh]

This has been posted a fair bit, so you may not get too many replies. I'm no expert myself on the subject but I'll try to help with what I can.

I do believe, CELTA, for better or worse, is a required certificate for a lot of schools, and most need it in combination with a degree, in line with new government requirements.

However, I am fairly sure, that if you go out there well presented with a good CV, and are willing to go round schools looking for work, you will be able to find it. You might have to prepare yourself for a fair few schools knocking you back without the CELTA, but I still believe you could find work and fairly decent work at that.
If I were you, I would email as many schools as you can now, with your CV, to see what sort of response you get without CELTA, before making your way out there.

Please remember, this is just what I think, I could easilly be proved wrong on this topic, and I have also now been away from VietNam for about a year and half so things could have changed, but hopefully it may help in someway.

Good luck!

[madamewoo]

Thanks for the reply si_in_edinburgh! That's very encouraging. I think I will try what you suggested -- send my resume to schools and see how many responses I get. Good idea.

I looked and looked on the forum, but I didn't find many posts from people in my situation. Do you have any links to such posts?

Thanks!

[Rabbit81]

[madamewoo]

Hi Rabbit81,

thanks for the reply.

May I ask -- what pay rate were the teachers getting without a CELTA?

[si_in_edinburgh]

Madamewoo,
Just a quick thought.
Have you looked at Language Link, in Hanoi, (and Ho Chi Minh I believe)? They are perceived to be one of the best of the bigger language schools.
The only reason I mention it is they run a CELTA course there and I would imagine the possibilty of working for them afterwards would be fairly high.
Granted you would have to pay for it (around $1500 I think), but it could well save you a month of going round schools and having to accept low salaries when you do find work. Although it would be a month unpaid, it would make it a lot easier for you when you finish, and could also be a more confortable introduction to the country.

Although not everybody might be in agreement as to the merits of the CELTA/TEFL programme, I personally recommend it very highly. I took my course a few years ago in Hungary, throughly enjoyed it, and since then, in combination with my degree, finding work, and good work, really has not been too difficult at all.

Anyway, thats just a few more of my thoughts on the topic.
Once again best of luck,
Si

[fischerles_hump]

Yeah, I recommend getting a CELTA. The better schools demand one, or a near equivalent, and you can demand more money with one. Language Link (Hanoi) and ILA (HCMC) both run CELTAs. CELTA at ILA is getting cheaper because they need teachers. Not sure about the details, but if you have a degree then they offer a discount (they only employ people with degrees) and you get a precentage back if you complete a years contract. You get more money off if you book early. With all the discounts it works out to be about $600, assuming you work out the year. Which makes me sick seeing that I paid $2000 for mine.

[Seibu]

Madam....

Am curious to get an update on your Vietnam experience. Did you land anything without the Celta?

I'm in a similar position. I have nine years of ESL teaching experience in Japan and Myanmar but do not have a CELTA or certification. I'd love to teach in Vietnam but am not keen on shelling out $1,500 bucks for a one or two year gig in HCMC.

What to do?

[AnnMouse]

To the poster above,
I would say if you've got that much experience finding a job shouldn't prove to be that difficult - at least not in HCMC or Hanoi - though it might not be the most stable/legal work going.
Also chances are schools would pay you a lower rate than other teachers as - due to government regulations - when the authorities came calling they would have to pay a "fine" for having you on the books. That being said I think there are plenty of schools that still pay under the table too.
Do as a poster above suggests and send your CV off to some of the bigger schools and see what kind of response you get.
Post Tet - mid Feb, early march will be a good time as a lot of schools will be hiring then - otherwise wait till the start of summer
good luck