Job Discussion Forums

[Danaa]

I'm posting this as a word of warning to all teachers in HCMC or about to arrive in HCMC to teach English.

Because of the current enforcement of the work permit regulations, there is a new course that has just been created, to get teachers a TESOL certificate that currently do not have one.

This is only a 1-week course, and this course is charging $1,200 US dollars to get teachers a teaching certificate to get the work permit.

One of the people I know that did this course was recently told by a school that this one week course was not suitable for not only being hired, but for qualifying for a work permit.

Yes, I know that many claim a TEFL cert is not necesarry, but beware.

This course is taking advantage of the uncertainty of these times, and created a fast-food TESOL cert for $1200 that is not even recognized, is dishonest.

The person doing this is from Australia and is well known for previous activities of this nature.

[Andy123]

Thanks for the post. I know who you are talking about. I was surprised at all the people they have been suckered. They are trying to get their foot into the teahcer headhunter business too. I warned a couple of people but they went through with it anyway.

Just goes to show you there are cheating and lieing people everywhere.

Let's us not forget about the long established cert. course in HCMC that has their clients "color" posters for hours apon hours. What the hell does coloring have to do with teaching? I can color at home for free.

[The Fat Rabbit]

So, why don't we mention the name of this place? if you want to warn people, then you should call out the exact name and place. Don't you agree? Tons of people come on here looking for that kind of information. They'll come to this thread and be warned that a scam exists, but won't know where it is. great help that would be.

has anyone else ever heard of an English teaching course asking its students to colour pictures as part of a lesson? seriously. Andy, if you want to remind us of this long established picture colouring course that's still currently operating, why dont you mention the name? I've never heard of this place and would like to recommend some of my friends to this place. They have trouble colouring within the lines.

[H5N1]

[The Fat Rabbit]

OK, well thank you for that info. however i don't see why the exact name can't be mentioned. if its a scam, then it should be. what are we worried about? this forum is anonymous, is it not? new people coming to Vietnam might not be able to find out what the name of this course is. maybe they won't know which Australian was involved in the 2005 VATC tax scandal. I've been here for 2 years, and I don't even know. I imagine if I spoke to enough people, I could find out. however, that's not the point. I'm not looking to take any courses here. new people to Vietnam are. and they definitely won't even know about the tax scandal, so out with that name already!!

if you know the name of this place, just PM me and I'll post up the name if you won't want to do it yourself. how does that sound?

[uruguay1]

Would also send me a PM because i would like more information regarding this matter. Thanks.

[speak2meonline]

I have been thinking for quite some time about a word of warning to Newbie teachers. I simply didn�t quite know how to go about it.
Firstly, I attended my in class course (Australia) graduated, yet I was somewhat taken back, to the speed in which job placements were offered.
Ones head was still spinning, trying to adapt to new ways of thinking which adults had long forgotten, to be told we can have you on a plane and teaching within a week or two given all the correct documentation.
As a perfectionist in many respects I certainly didn�t wish to rush off to a destination without completing my electives. I know I was told they could be completed while teaching, never the less I knew I needed more knowledge to start with. I felt it wasn�t right for me let alone fair to the Vietnamese school or students. I might add asking other teachers if they did in fact complete their electives at a later date while teaching, generally the answer was NO.

1) The biggest most important thing I found was, WHAT I WAS NOT TOLD!
2) The agency that phoned me with the position is based in HCMC and operates through or has an affiliation with a TESOL college here in Australia.
3) The problem as I see it is the agencies that place teachers are so keen to place a teacher ($$$$$) that they don�t actually check out where they are sending them.
4) This is business from their point of view, however, to TEACHERS; this can affect their whole life! In fact, given that a lack of information was forthcoming to Newbie�s, they can be placed in situations which are downright dangerous to them. They can have their passports taken and even arrested for something they weren�t even aware of. ( I personally know of a case)
My biggest warnings to another considering taking up a teaching position in Vietnam is to check out the agencies offering jobs, make sure they are accredited and legal, be it courses or placements.They need to have the teachers best interest in mind ! The problem is Newbie�s are trying to take in so much, they tend to believe one of their EX patriots to put them right, instead of thinking they are really in the business of making money.
What they don�t tell you for example, or given the benefit of doubt DON�T CHECK OUT is where a teacher might be living, how far it might be from getting basics such as food and if they are able to get themselves from one place to another.
I have travelled the world 28 countries to date! I have also previously lived in foreign countries. This was not a culture shock on my part by any means.
My experience of where I was placed in Vietnam is this.
On the outskirts of a large town. The only way I could get anywhere, was being picked up and dropped off to school by a driver I had hired (bike). I had to arrange for food delivery, which ended up being unpalatable.
The house given to me, while I was told was fully furnished was far from that. I had a bed exposed springs, no linen, but got excited that I might be able to cook my own food. Ops, no kitchen, cooking facilities, fridge to keep water, let alone a luxury of a shower, forget it.
Lies, lies and more lies. Sucker me; I believed what I was told.
I was stuck, might as well have been in prison. The next biggest problem was I wasn�t told that the school would be closing down for a period of time. Of course my placement was also with a school that was operating under the table. They didn�t pay taxes or alike. There is no way I wanted to be caught up in that kind of situation, given Vietnam is still a communist country.
Teachers are real people, real lives at stake and any agency placing teachers with little concern to
Where they are to end up needs to be checked out. I also suspect this may be one if not the same one offering courses in HCMC, which the initial post, warned about.
The trouble is NEW people doing courses; don�t know how to access information such as these forums until it�s too late. My thinking cap is still on as to what I might be able to do about my experiences.
I have thought of going to higher channels here in OZ, to setting up my own agencies, to writing a book.
My end result was No Transport, no way of getting food, I was out of there I knew it was bad for my health.
I�m so thankful I had enough common sense to get out when I did. I have recently had major surgery, having no idea I had this problem passing all medicals before taking up my post.
I don�t think I would be alive today, if I was still in Vietnam. Not because of the country, but due to my placement. Not one person spoke English, I had no idea, how to call ambulance, taxi, or a bike for that matter (or if there were any available) or let alone c0ntact someone whom would understand my urgent need.
Agencies need to be accountable. Courses need to be legit! Not simply ripping would be teachers off and then placing them in god for saken places with no form of communication or help.
I was eventually, told after several days, that every one lies in Vietnam, they lie to make you happy. True or not true I don�t really know, however, that doesn�t mean Australia agencies running courses should follow suit. I have learnt one huge lesson from my experience and others should also be warned big time. I have heard of many stories since my return.

There needs to be a big shake up in this area. Be it legitimate, qualified acceptable courses or teacher placement. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.