Job Discussion Forums

[tupper22]

Let me break it down for ya. Many thanks in advance for input and advice.

I'm moving from the US to Vietnam in August in hopes of finding a teaching job. I'm a 23-year-old male, a recent university graduate with a degree in journalism.

I have experience working as Editor in Chief of my university's newspaper, where I supervised and instructed a staff of 40 university student editors and reporters. I'm currently working at a family community center where I supervise activities for parents and kids and perform clerical/customer service tasks.

The only problem is I don't have any CELTA or TESOL certificate or ESL teaching experience.

My question is this: Will it be difficult to find a job that can support me within a month or two of me moving there?

I don't spend much and figure I will have enough money to last me until mid to late September. I've heard differing opinions on the availability of jobs there and am hoping to get some advice.

I've always thought that 75% of learning happens on the job, so I can totally see why ESL classroom experience is essential. I'm wondering if maybe there are any opportunities to volunteer or serve as a teacher's aide at a school for some time to get experience without paying the $1000+ for the CELTA.

Thanks!

[Oneonta]

[saigon cowboy]

Pay the $ 1000 and get certified.
Sheesh...you're only 23 ? You have time dude. Invest in your future.

[tupper22]

Thanks for the answers, guys.

I understand knowing those things is important. But I'm trying to do this as soon as I can, and money is tight.

Are there opportunities to volunteer for a few weeks to learn some of these things before applying for jobs? Do any of the schools/language centers sponsor your CELTA training?

I'm just wondering if it will be difficult to find a job without the CELTA, with only my degree. Like I said, I'm pretty flexible with pay and location.

[inky]

No school will sponsor your CELTA training, but the schools that offer the CELTA course usually offer various partial refunds if you sign contracts with them upon completion of the course (assuming you pass).

[BenE]

As far as the institution I work at is concerned.

No CELTA
No Job

And I don't work at one of the larger ones in Hanoi.

Get a Cert or get a job in journalism over here. There are some westerners I've met who are actually doing that for various newspapers. If you do that though remember not to annoy the govt. too much.

[tupper22]

I guess I just heard that in the smaller towns a lot of schools are so desperate for teachers that they'll hire Americans with only bachelor's. I can't afford the CELTA, so I don't think I'll be able to make it.

Do any schools allow people to volunteer for a bit to get experience?

[inky]

The students, who have paid good money for a language course taught by a qualified instructor, would feel cheated and would not accept a volunteer teacher. They are not guinea pigs.

There are some low-end schools that might hire you, although they might not make your job satisfaction their priority. The only volunteer work you could find would be through a charity. Calculate the time you'd spend accumulating experience with no pay while having to meet daily living expenses, vs paying for the CELTA and getting a decent job after the course, with some fees reimbursed over time.

[tupper22]

thanks again, guys. you've convinced me to get my CELTA.

can you recommend some of the better programs in Hanoi? i was thinking apollo, but am open to suggestions. apollo looks like it's $1,350 if i sign up soon enough.

this is a great site.

[tupper22]

any for a little less than apollo's but still stand up quality-wise?

[inky]

The cost is standardized, individual schools may or may not offer discounts for early enrollment, or various refunds for signing on as a teacher afterwards. Schools certified by Cambridge to offer the real CELTA are Apollo, Language Link, and ILA.

[mcsensei]

I agree with the others that it would be best to do a CELTA or equivalent certificate before you start teaching. Everyone's reality is a little different though.

Some schools, despite what their websites say will, will hire teachers with other certificates. Although the CELTA and Trinity are the two most widely recognized, they are expensive and there are other quality options available.

English International offers a distance course for a fraction of the cost of a CELTA. I did this course 3 years ago, before I did my MA TESOL, and was very pleased with it. The main instructor is a former CELTA trainer so you will be taught most of the things you would learn through a CELTA course.

Again, if you can swing it, do the CELTA at Apollo, ILA or LL. The hands-on training will be helpful. Still, I think the English Interntaional course is a good alternative and if you teach for a reputable school you will attend regular training sessions anyway.

Good luck!

[phamquocdat41191]

without your certificate, i think you still get a job, just tell them about your experience in teaching english, and how enthusiastic you are
Here are some most common english centers in hanoi:

Alpha Education
Alpha Education
42 Alley 91 Tran Duy Hung
Cau Giay
Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: 084 211 2866
Email: [email protected]

Apollo Education and Training
http://www.apolloedutrain.com/vn/contact.php

Asian Institute in Vietnam Language Unit
www.aitcv.ac.vn

Centre for International Cooperation on Education
[email protected]
Or directly contact UNESCO language center
10 Hang chao St.
Dong Da Dist., Hanoi.
(04) 8234850

Cleverlearn
www.cleverlearn.com

EF English First
www.englishfirst.com

EQuest Group-EQuest Academy
www.equest.edu.vn

Golden Key Language Center
www.goldenkey.edu.vn

Hanoi International School
www.hisvietnam.com

ILA Vietnam
www.ilavietnam.com

Language Link Vietnam
www.languagelink.edu.vn

Oxford English UK Vietnam
www.oxford.edu.vn

Vietnamese American Training College
www.vatc.net


Wish you lucks

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