Job Discussion Forums

sonbuenas2 · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 23

OK so I'm used to seeing a lot of negativity on Daves, WP crackdown or not, but now you all are starting to scare me.

I have a one way ticket to HCMC on September 1st, and over $1,500 invested in a CELTA course from ILA, and I'm getting worried about the work situation there.

I realize there is some uncertainty around the whole WP issue, and nobody has the answer at this point, but is there any reason that a qualified (BA in English and double certified), albeit inexperienced, person shouldn't be able to get a legitimate job here IF they're willing to hustle a little and put up with some hassles?

It can't be IMPOSSIBLE to get a WP can it? Just more difficult?

Are there any teachers out there that recently started in VN? Any GOOD news at all? Or am I screwed?

Thanks for reading - any guidance is appreciated.

vietexpat2008 · Joined: 08 May 2010 Posts: 18

There is some reason, yes. You OUGHT to be able to get your work permit if you have everything in order, but they often reject permits for nit-picky details, and the information regarding exactly what you need never seems to be consistent.

Make sure you go through the notarization process on all the required documents. If ILA gives you instructions on what to do, make sure you follow them carefully, and don't fail on any of the documents.

The main thing I would worry about is the CELTA certificate. You may or may not need that certificate to get your work permit (I hear it both ways), but the work permit crackdown is happening NOW, so it is possible you'll have visa problems in September because it will take some time to earn that certificate, then apply for the WP. I really don't know.

Bottom line is that yes, you can do it, but there is a risk you will not get that permit. How big a risk nobody knows, but we'll probably get more information between now and September. The government has promised to intensify its crackdown in July, so we'll see then just how serious they really are.

A comment about ILA--As I recall, their deal is they run you through the course and get you to teach at the same time, more or less for free. Afterwards, they offer you a job for around 10 to 12 dollars an hour, and if you work for them for a year they'll refund half the CELTA fee.

You may have other goals, but if money is one of them, this is not a very good deal. If you already have some sort of English teaching certificate, other schools will hire you for quite a bit more money than 10 to 12 dollars an hour. If this is currently the deal, you should understand that ILA is taking advantage of your ignorance of the local job market. The wage is low, they get free labor out of you during the CELTA training, and whatever they're promising to refund for working for them won't even begin to make up the difference of a higher hourly wage at some other school.

Could be the deal has changed, but I believe that IPS starts around 15 or 16 dollars an hour, and goes up to around 20 if you can swing a work permit. Working for IPS is a little like working for the railroad, but at least it is a well paying railroad. There are quite a few other schools who would give you a similarly competitive wage.

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

Hello

I have a CELTA and a WP and I went through the process myself.

I'm certain you need a CELTA or cert as well as your degree to get a WP.
The wages are MUCH higher if you have a WP with a company. They start at about $25+ now in most companies from what I hear (though you might also need some post CELTA experience)

Regarding getting $10-$12 an hour, my Belarusian girlfriend who's English is far from perfect (though she has got better with me) was getting this wage in a stable job for a long time. She doesn't have any English qualifications past high school. I'd say if anyone is in this situation they should find another job. Teaching here can be very stable and when I leave I will certainly be taking more out than I brought in.

londo · Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Posts: 107 Location: District 7

BenE, when did you do it yourself? I bet it wasn't in the last 3-6 months, and you can get all your documents yourself but the school/company still has to provide their documents (co. reg, 'foreigner' employment permission etc) and initiate the process.

As for the need for a CELTA, this is just the problem...you are sure because that is what you supplied or were asked for, but there are many others who were not asked for a CELTA or don't have one who also have a WP.

For every certainty there is an uncertainty....and that's a certainty

just noel · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 168

deadlift · Joined: 08 Jun 2010 Posts: 267

Mattingly · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 249

BenE:

jb0072009 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: Saigon

Ya this WP thing is really getting bad. At my school we are trying to get WP's for 2 teachers. Their apps have both come back for really stupid reasons like "this form was not stamped by the ministry of foreign affairs". The school Viet HR person went there and they told her she needed a letter from the company owners authorizing her to act as agent. She brought the letter back there and they told her it had to be stamped by some other department. Such run arounds. No wonder employers do not want to get WP's for employees.

vietexpat2008 · Joined: 08 May 2010 Posts: 18

"Are you sure about this? When I arrived here earlier in the year I interviewed at ILA and the starting rate was $17.25. Certain elements on my CV saw me bumped up to tier two, which is $18"

No, I'm not sure anymore. The 10 to 12 figure was what they offered me about 4 years ago. Sounds like they increased their wages since then. Good for them, and their teachers!