Job Discussion Forums

[Rogue Trader]

Hi all.

I'm a refugee from Australia currently languishing in a squalid crypt in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and I've decided I want out. Teaching english is the obvious answer and Vietnam seems to have the best mix of qualities.

I have a couple of quick questions, if some of those currently in Vietnam (specifically HCMC) would be so kind as to humour me. Firstly, although I have a 4 year degree in Communications and my English is excellent, I understand this doesn't mean I can teach, and consensus seems to be that bluffing is difficult in Vietnam. Does anyone know about the quality/credibility of the TEFL1 course run in Bangkok/Phnom Penh (www.tefl1.com). Is it recognised in VN, or would I be better blowing an extra grand on a full TESOL/CELTA?

Secondly, I enjoy trading the stock market in my down time and would very much like to hear people's reviews of the domestic internet access in HCMC. Is broadband available? If not, is the dial-up reliable? I would much prefer to access the internet from my own residence than from a cafe...

I would also like to extend my thanks to all who regularly post to this board, it really is an excellent resource.

cheers,
Aran

[tiggerpoo]

If you are not western looking, meaning caucasian, you will find difficulty getting an English teaching job that pays well. So i wonder if blowing a grand will be worth it. If you are caucasian, then no worries finding work. Having the TESOL/CELTA will get you better pay, but I don't know whether the TEFL1 will help. With the more reputable schools TEFL1 means little as they know the difference, but many of the other schools might accept it. Either way, it seems that the market is a bit saturated at the moment.

The internet connection is decent here but not great. On the issue of broadband, I know it exists, however i don't know if its used much. I'm really not that IT orientated. You can access the internet from home and it seems fast enough for me but its not nearly as fast as my satellite network back home.

Hope that helps.

[Aramas]

The British Council in KL does the CELTA course, and RMIT has a campus in HCMC that also does it. Both are around $1500 USD (although I've also heard $1000 USD for KL - I couldn't find prices on the site).

It seems to me that if you're heading to HCMC then RMIT would be a good way of getting your feet wet and making some contacts, and having a CELTA from a recognised Australian uni wouldn't hurt either.

[Rogue Trader]

Cheers for the replies.

Thanks muchly for the replies, I will take them into consideration when making my decision.

Cheers,
Aran