Job Discussion Forums

[logansrun]

dear friendoken,

my friend and i have just recently attained a TESL certificate through oxford seminars (www.oxfordseminars.com). we're thinking about going to laos and teach there. do you think you can help us? we've been trying to find some websites for some private schools over there that dont require a degree to teach. so far no luck. the main point is were just wanting to teach some overseas so that we can bank enough money to finish with our schooling over here in Canada and at the same time backpack around. he's european/canadian whereas i am laotian/canadian. so i speak laos fine. we'll take jobs anywhere!! please get back at me. thank you so much and im so glad i found this post!

[friendoken]

Hello,

With your TESL certificate you will have no problem finding a job here. Do you have any college diploma? That will get you a better job, that's all. Nonetheless, you will find work and can expect $10 hour. There are lots of places to rent for reasonable prices, approx $150/ month.

There is no legal requirement to have a degree here, so no worries. 20 hours a week teaching is about what most of us seem to do, but you can work at two or more places and drive it for awhile to save money. I work at Panyathip and LOGOS Academy for a total of 26 hrs/ week. It's not tough to do.

I'll help where I can. You can check out 21st Century School of English too. The owner's name is Alastair Maitland, an Aussie and a good guy. I worked for him and it was cool. There is a website you can google.

Check out ACL english school, Gold Institute, Sengdara business school for starters. They may all have websites too.

Keep in touch

[logansrun]

Hey man,

Thanks for the reply. Im just curious, is it better to fly down to Laos and find jobs? Or, would it be better to find an employer first? We're thinking about heading down in January and start job hunting there and with that we might get lucky. What do you suggest, cause we have no problem to just fly down there at all. Thanks again for your imput and guidance.

[friendoken]

The new school term starts the beginning of January. Lots of work around. If you get here late December or very early in january there will be no problem finding a gig pretty quick. Bring your CV's and TESOL certificates (make some photocopies) to hand around. Knock on doors, one will open for sure, especially if you can start immediately.

Bring two passport size photos for your visa when you enter Laos. Keep in touch. Rock and roll!!!

[chrisms86]

....

[sly1139]

so chrisms, why did you erase your note???

[logansrun]

hey thanks again for the reply

ok here's an update on what were doing. we cant leave by january but mid february is most likely the date we'll be going since the one way flight there is cheaper. and with what's happening in thailand right now, dont think it would be ok to travel yet, since we have to land in bangkok and take a bus or something to laos. what do you think about his idea? mid february.is it too late and will the schools be staffed alrdy?

[friendoken]

I don't think you will have any trouble getting a job any time you arrive. Obviously the better jobs should be staffed at that time, but I am confident there will be work. Thailand is getting back in gear now, but you can fly through Vietnam as well on your way to Vientiane. If you go through Bangkok, there are two or three flights a day toi Vientiane. Another option is to take the train from Bangkok to Nong Kai which is on the Thai side of the Friendship bridge. Take a bus across the bridge, get your visa and you're on your way.

I wouldn't advise taking a bus, it's 12 hours and that's a long time to sit up, however the buses are very nice. The train can be quite cheap, a 2nd class sleeper isn't expensive and you can lay down and sleep. The train also takes 12 hours. A flight isn't that much more and takes 1 hour.

Keep in touch

[logansrun]

Hey Friendoken,

Been a while sinve I've posted anything here. A little update about us, yes we are still planning on going this February. Just wondering, are most of the ESL schools located in Vientiane? Or are there plenty of other ones all over Laos...like let say..Pakse(town to the south). What kind of Visas do you we need to work there? Tourist? Work? Holiday? Also think we can get a hold of you when we get there? If you dont mind? Lol. Thanks again for all of your help. We hope to start the new year with something we both want to do for a long time.

[Kirkpatrick]

How can I get to laos from China.. I am having a real shitty time in the PRC ands it's time to moe on..Can't go through Thailand... So what's the best way to get a visa and in and out?

[BigGuy]

Kirkpatrick,

Just out of curiousity, what types of things are causing you to have such a shitty time in the PRC? Not that I doubt your take on things, but I used to work there and it is indeed a tough place sometimes and was just wondering about other people's experiences and how the coped.

Anyway, depending on your nationality, you should be able to get a Lao visa at the borders or at the airport if you fly to Vientiane. Where are you in China?

I also saw your post on the Cambodia board.

Good luck with your move from the Middle Kingdom (aka Center of the World)

[friendoken]

Hey folks,

Been awhile since I posted. End of term exams, my birthday, Christmas yadda yadda yadda...

Also I started another job which I hope will turn fulltime by spring. I got hired as a writer/editor for a private company. We put out a monthly magazine, and have a few contracts with other private companies as well as a couple of gov't ministries. The boss is flying me up to Luang Prabang to write a story about it...something new and different from the norm. Pretty freaking cool. There are opportunities here. Teaching ESL is a great start because there are lots of jobs, but for anyone who wishes it, there may be other choices if you keep positive and hunt around.

Nonetheless, you can get a visa at any entry point, bridge/airport etc.

You will get a tourist visa at that time, good for 30 days. A business visa can be had, cost around US $350. Many employers will cover that expense, Panyathip covered it for me. If you are short and your job doesn't cover it, it's likely they may pay up front and deduct it monthly from your pay.

Keep in touch.

PS: Don't lie about credentials, a teacher at Panyathip got fired the last day of term because he said he had a degree...it was bought in Bangkok! You don't legally need a degree, as I have said. There are two teachers at the school without one. What the boss cared about was getting lied to.

Life is good.

[Kirkpatrick]

I too am want to come to Laos, I was one the Thai side of the border a few years back and loved it... I am currently in China and hate the place.. Also like friendoken I have been all over the place at least 12 countries... Korea, Japan , and China just don't do it for me... Any suggestions??? Don't think i could get down there til June.. I suppose thats a crap time to look for work ... Any sugestions???

[Kirkpatrick]

Oh yea, what about the visa? I found that I can only get a 30 day tourist visa. will this be change once I find a school? How does the process work??

[friendoken]