Job Discussion Forums

Andrew Robertson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Australia

Hi there

I have been in contact with an organisation called "Cleverlearn" looking at teaching English (in Hanoi). Has anyone worked for them before, or are aware of their reputation?

Thankyou, ACR

si_in_edinburgh · Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 26 Location: Salamanca, Spain

Hi Andrew,

I have not worked at Cleverlearn myself, but the last time I was in Hanoi, I lived with a girl who was working there as a cover teacher.

She had no CELTA qualification or complete Uni degree, which as far as I'm concerned, gives a good indication as to what type of school it is.

I have also heard the line "backpacker school" being thrown in its direction more than a few times. That being said, that was the summer of 2006, so things could have changed, however, the impression I got then was that if you are a good, professional teacher with qualifiactions and experience, there are better places to be!

Best of luck,
S

Andrew Robertson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Australia

Thanks for the advice, it's good to know their background before I commit

Cheers, ACR

Micro67 · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 297 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Can anyone confirm or deny that the HCMC Cleverlearn is no longer owned by the franchise? I've heard that it is now owned by the owner of the building.

localhanoian · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 3

Cleverlearn has both pros and cons.

Qualification requirements are a bit slack, but while I was there it didn't translate into the quality of teachers being lowered. They were simply a huge school with more than 500 students and no way to keep fully staffed. Since then the academic head has moved on and I have as well. I can't vouch for how things look at the moment.

The facilities are some of the nicest in Hanoi...with a gym and a movie theatre. The curricular materials improved considerably while I was around, but that's the sort of thing you have to keep on top of. Who knows what's happened since then?

It's one of the most expensive schools in Hanoi, so you don't get many casual students. You get adults who are expecting a lot and bring energy and a sense of purpose to class, or you get kids who's parents have been able to afford to get them in classes since they were young. Generally, I had excellent students there.

The big problem is the upper management. They are a joke. Literally. I've never been in a school before where the managerial incompetence was so obvious that even all my students knew the directors on sight and had a whole litany of cracks and running gags for each of them. They basically market the place as elite and charge accordingly. Then, they run it like a high volume budget school that has to pinch pennies. They get uptight about useless shit,and let import decisions slide for months (a clear sign of somebody who doesn't know what they are doing but wants to appear like they do). If you have a great Academic Head who will work as a buffer between you and that managerial level, it can be a fine place to work. Not remarkable, but fine. If your Academic Head passes his or her troubles on to the teachers, I wouldn't touch the place with a bargepole.

teacherviet · Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 18

Cleverlearn Vietnam is no longer affiliated with Cleverlearn International, it is 100% owned and operated by Vietnamese. I worked for Cleverlearn HCMC for a short time but quit due to complete incompetence of the Vietnamese management. They do not have a Director of Studies or a single teacher who is in charge of academic quality control. There is absolutely no support for teachers. Oh I forgot, they have one token teacher who I believe is required to teach 20 hours per week and smiles at the teachers for academic support. To be fair to him, he has no time to do anything besides teach and has no support from the management.
Most of the teachers who work there do not have a TEFL Cert. or much experience.

They gave me three English courses to conduct at foreign companies in HCMC. I had to tell them what materials were the most suitable. I was provided with a photocopy of the students book, no teachers book or workbook and cassettes which were useless. The students were also given photocopies of the students book. Of course there were complaints from the students and the clients. However, when I contacted Cleverlearn concerning these issues and told them that the books were available in HCMC at US$5 they called me a troublemaker. That was the beginning of the end for Cleverlearn and these particular clients.

To make a long story short, I quit Cleverlearn and the clients have hired a new school to do their training-me!! I believe it�s unethical to subborn clients from schools but sometimes it�s immoral if you don�t.

Andrew Robertson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Australia

interesting to read your experiences with CleverLearn, and your new teaching consultancy!

Q - do you know of any teaching opportunities in Hanoi on a short term basis, namely December and January each year (these are my holidays from my permanent teaching in Australia)?

Thank you, ACR

Rabbit81 · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 32

Andrew Robertson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Australia

thanks for the information - much appreciated

ACR

Blade · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 44

Cleverlearn has a clause in their contract that you sign that states

You must give 24 hour notice if you are sick.

Otherwise you pay a fine. Meaning, they put your money into their pockets.

How can someone give 24 hour notice if they are in a motorbike accident or get the flu or food poisoning.

Backpacker school.