Job Discussion Forums

jamieg · Joined: 13 Mar 2010 Posts: 13

Hi, I've been reading the visa thread and there is lots of talk on a big crack down for ESL teachers with less than perfect visas, but I know only too well that what is written, and what is reality, are often two completely different things.

So, if I turn up to HCMC in August with nothing more than a tourist visa, then am I in for a shock, or will it be relatively easy for me to get a teaching job after showing my degree / credentials to various schools?

If I am honest, I am not too bothered about going down the whole legal route. My degree has my names in the wrong order compared to my passport, which causes big issues when it comes to overly anal red tape and visa situations. i.e. I can't get a job in Korea for this exact reason!
However, when I show it to people in person, they have no problem at all. That is why I am thinking about teaching under the radar a bit, where my school knows I am the real deal, but I don't have to battle with immigration for an official work permit.

I only really want to teach for around 6 months. I don't have ambitions of trying to forge a career and get everything sorted officially for the long term.

I am aware that dedicated ESL teachers often see young studenty types as a bit of a pain, but I would appreciate some up to date advice for a person who just wants to teach in HCMC for a bit.
What is the reality of turning up and getting work? How much would it cost in visa fees for say, 6 months? Whats the deal with picking up relatively casual teaching work?

I hope that this can get a couple of replies and add to the already excellent advice on this board!

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 7:41 am Post subject:

An inappropriate posting has been deleted.

If your goal in life is to come here and put other people down, you will not last long here.

That's a fact.

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

'jamieg', it seems most of the new arrivals at present are as you say 'young studenty types'. Well , we were all young studenty types back in the mists of time - don't worry, very few of us came here expecting, honestly, to stay so long...I've been away for 25 years, started two families and two businesses...though not all in VN.

Yes, you CAN come for 6 months, get two 3 month visas, and If you have the qualifications, I'm sure you'll find work. It's easy to say the Vietnamese deserve the best teachers they can afford, but we all started somewhere...and they can't afford that much after all.

Don't worry about the old soaks and losers whose drunken, mongering wanderings are almost over, be qualified, be ready, be open, try it...you might fall in love, as I did, with the job and maybe with one of the countries you work in.

If it's Vietnam you fall in love with, you will have time to find a decent employer and get your work permit. No employer is likely to go to the trouble of helping to get a work permit for a 'newbie' inside 6 months anyway.
I repeat NEWBIE, freshly minted, so bring all the docs--notarised at home if you can and expect to do a bit of hoop-jumping if you decide to stay..if not, the world is your oyster....just as it was for all us old bitching moaners.

welcome to the world

Danaa · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 40

jamieg · Joined: 13 Mar 2010 Posts: 13

Cheers for that londo.

I have travelled extensively and my parents are of different nationalities, neither of which belongs to the country we live in now, so I am quite well versed with life outside my home country. I am very much open to this and am looking forward to it immensely.

After some searching last night, I came across some 'visa on arrival' companies offering 3 month visas for around $60 all in. I'll go with that I think, and renew it in Vietnam when the time comes.

jamieg · Joined: 13 Mar 2010 Posts: 13

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Related, as I'm sure several people are still working out the WP/Residency issue, I'm hearing that visas can only be extended once, while others are saying they can be extended twice. Does anyone have hard evidence either way?

Riding One · Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 63

gastropod · Joined: 12 Jun 2010 Posts: 18 Location: New Zealand

I'm a 57 yr old male NZr just graduated with a BA in Linguistics. I too am thinking of Vietnam - for at least a 1 year English teaching sojourn, possibly longer. I too have been browsing the forums and I too am confused. Prophets of doom on the one hand and others waxing lyrical about the sweet life on the other. From what I have been able to find out it seems that you can enter VN on a renewable 3 mth tourist visa and apply for a WP after you get a job. I have my documents in order but I only have about 40hrs of practice teaching experience and a part online/part classroom TESOL cert of dubious value. What I would like to know is can I get a job when I get there? Will I be passed over because of my age? Will my nationality/accent (it isn't strong) make it harder to find work. I have been thinking of doing the CELTA in Hanoi (I can get in sooner there than HCMC) as I figure I'll have a better chance of landing a job then. The course fees will seriously drain my meagre resources so I would like to know if this is a wise move. I don't want to end up broke without a job. I'd be grateful for any feedback from people living there, particularly those who have recent experience of seeking a job.

AmanJivan · Joined: 22 Dec 2009 Posts: 32

Basically they take all TEFL certificates in Vietnam. Bring your original degree and copy of your transcripts. You will need to bring a police clearance from New Zealand, which I assume is like most countries and takes about 2-3 months. The local police station will have the criminal history forms to fill in and send off. If you want to be doubly sure about your criminal clearance certificate, get it notarized by the authorities in NZ, they are used to doing it for those who want to work in Korea. I am not sure if this is necessary in Vietnam, however I am sure the other forum members can give information on this.

Age is not really and issue as long as you are flexible, got a sense of humour, not bad tempered and intolerant and can handle younger people.

Some employers actually prefer older teachers as they tend to be more stable.

A lot of people who come wanting to teach English have little experience so lack of experience is not that much of an issue.

Many of us, myself included have only had positive experiences in Veitnam and enjoy working here.

We have got a six month stint going up in Dalat area. They are actually looking for New Zealanders or Australians as first choice. If you are interested send me a private message with your contact details

jimmiethefish · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

Hi gastropod, yes the kind of teaching cert you have isn't really an issue for most Vietnamese employers, but some employers do prefer CELTA. If you only want to teach English for a year or two, then maybe just go with what is affordable for you, but if you want to continue teaching English, particularly in different countries, then they may have a preference or even a requirement for a CELTA.

I also have a BA in Linguistics (AKL Uni) & a CELTA. I got a lot out of my CELTA course because of my linguistics background, especially when it came to pronunciation and all the phonological stuff. This may be another consideration for you as Vietnamese really struggle with English pronunciation and there are all sorts of interesting things going on with it.

If you are going to be in Hanoi, here are some useful resources:

http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/
This site has miles & miles of where to go & what to do as well as jobs and accommodation listings.

http://www.stickyrice.typepad.com/
This is an excellent food blog written by an Ozzie. Lots of tips on where to go for great local food, drinks and street ambiance.

Also, once you get there, sign up at the NZ Embassy & put your name on the email list for Kiwi drinks, a once a month meet & catch up, if you want to meet some other Kiwis, that is. There are various other events during the year you might be interested in as well.

The police clearance process is much faster in NZ possibly as all teachers must have police clearance. Through my NZ employers, it really took only about a week or so and I did my last one from S. Korea which it took 5-6 weeks.

AmanJivan pretty much covered everything else that's important for enjoying your time teaching in Vietnam.

Good luck!

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Mattingly · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 249

shanewarne · Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 146

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam