Job Discussion Forums

arteokay · Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Vermont, USA

Hi there!

I'm a recent college grad (graduated in 2008) with an English degree and some experience teaching ESL, both as a writing tutor in college and presently as a teacher for the summer program of a prep school in Connecticut. I'm planning on getting my CELTA certification in early September (that is to say, the program will finish in early October); what are my chances of landing a job at that time of year? What kind of jobs am I likely to find, given my experience and credentials? Will employers consider hiring me even if I don't have a CELTA certificate in hand when I apply (will they take it on good faith that I'll finish the course)?

Thanks so much for any advice.

arteokay · Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Vermont, USA

I should also add that I'm not limiting my options to Hanoi, but Hanoi seems like it would be a better fit for me than HCMC (not quite as insanely busy, right? I'm more of a small city girl.). Any other suggestions, location-wise, would be awesome.

inky · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 283 Location: Hanoi

Your employment prospects for private language schools are good based on what you've written. There aren't any guarantees, but most schools have either rolling admissions or staggered start dates, meaning that jobs are potentially available any time of year other than the Tet break (January or February). It's possible to apply get an offer while you're doing the CELTA, and it would also help in numerous ways to do the CELTA in Hanoi (or HCMC).

There aren't huge differences between HCMC and Hanoi in terms of being "big cities." Hanoi may seem a bit more compact in the sense that is has more clearly-defined districts, but both cities have the same problems with traffic, noise and air pollution, and general chaos. One of the main differences is that Hanoi basically shuts down after 11pm, with very few restaurants serving past 10 and only a very few bars open past 11.

junan70 · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 47 Location: UK

thomas123 · Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 26

Hanoi is insane busy. While HCMC actually has a larger population than Hanoi, Hanoi is much more dense and crowded, with narrow (and very dangerous) streets. Go to HCMC. You can find quiet areas and there's no limit to entertainment options, restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. (oh ya, and schools too).

If you want a quiet town, try Danang, Nha Trang, or Vung Tau.

inky · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 283 Location: Hanoi

"Hanoi is much more dense and crowded, with narrow (and very dangerous) streets." That's true only of the Old Quarter. Only a tourist would make a statement like that about Hanoi. It's true, overall traffic is insane, but the streets outside the OQ are similar to those in Saigon. In terms of urban living, there is little difference between the two cities. The min difference is in the bar/nightlife scene, with Hanoi presenting a more conservative face.

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

Damn I thought for a second that Saigon was this wide streeted paradise with peaceful streets and lots of parks.

Is it like that? I've never been yet.