Job Discussion Forums

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

hi guys

I've just had an email from someone who works at ILA. I have some basic questions though. A lot of chatter on these boards seems to indicate that now is not a good time to be working in Vietnam as an ESL teacher, and even more so if you're a newbie, which I am. I've taught in two jobs in England before, both for 3 weeks, but never abroad. The gist seems to be that I'd be "eaten up and spat out". Is this really true?

There's no mention of the hours involved or a firm number on salary yet, but otherwise it seems respectable enough. Can anyone offer advice on; ILA as an employer, teaching in Vietnam, bad places/good places to be in Vietnam, Vietnamese students.

Much appreciated.

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

Vietnamese students are generally lovely people, friendly and courteous and eager to learn. I wouldn't recommend that someone come here now with no plan in place, but ILA is a solid company, if you sign on full-time they will get you a Work Permit when you supply the documents that they will tell you to bring, so the current visa issue will be moot for you. Vietnam is still a relatively very inexpensive place to live. It's not everyone's idea of paradise, but a lot of people love it here. Most teachers are new at some point (usually at the beginning), so don't worry about that, as long as you're not put off by big-city problems like noise and traffic, and as long as you're willing to accept a culture that's different from what you're used to, you'll be fine. Your only real concern at this point is whether to choose HCMC (Saigon) or Hanoi.

jayasia · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 65 Location: Isaan

Students are good.
it can also be a relatively very expensive place apparently Laughing

... potentially the dearest in Asia Laughing

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/traveller-tips/worlds-top-10-worst-cities-for-pickpockets-20091006-gl27.html

half moon · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 49

ajc19810 · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 214

language school students, such as ILA are awesome. Polite, friendly and lots of fun. Adult classes are great as they always want to take you out for a meal and a sing. There is never a shortage of invites and classes are always entertaining especially once you've had a class for while.
Kids classes, well...kids classes are kids classes.
I think you're on the right line with ILA, stick with a large chain at the moment.
Teaching is not a difficult job, if you have patience and a sense of humor. Don't stress about being new, sometimes I think students prefer new teachers so they get the opportunity to tell you all about their culture.

jamburg · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 11

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

No training to teach kids with CELTA- Thats what you said-right?
The "A" in CELTA says it all- ADULTS- Basically, CELTA is for teaching Adults, and TESOL is for teaching all.
If you want some deeper understanding of teaching kids (And ILA will probably expect you to do Young Learner classes), I can give you some pointers and a FREE book on the matter.
PM me if interested.

jayasia · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 65 Location: Isaan

Go and teach in Hanoi. It's very clean.
Disregard the non-believing locals!!!!

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/200911/Hanoi-makes-top-ten-clean-city-list-%E2%80%93-surely-some-mistake-878082/

haller_79 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 145

Teaching is not an easy job, if it were an easy job everyone would be an ESL teacher (basically free travel). The fact that being 'new' can be advantageous tells you a lot about this kind of work, in what other line of work is being new an advantage? Youre as good as your smile and fun-ness in this field and once you lose it youre toast.
Anyway enjoy the adventure, but take what is posted on here with huge grain of salt.

ajc19810 · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 214

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

I would say you're as good as your joy of teaching, which naturally brings a smile to your face. If you are doing it solely as a means of funding travel, you're not going to be satisfied, and you won't be smiling. As long as you care about your students and enjoy watching them learn, the smile won't fade.