Job Discussion Forums

[nick1977]

Hi I've been toying with the idea of doing the big move over to Vietnam, it would be a long term thing, hopefully teach English. I'm looking at taking the jump in the next four months. I have a degree and up to date criminal background checks, I just don't have the teaching experience as of yet. I'm thinking of either doing a CETL course over here in the U.K or leaving it till I arrive in Vietnam. I have read that there is a shake up by the Police over there who are doing checks on teachers? My main concerns are that I get there and can't find work. It's a massive step and will be leaving everything behind, so I need as much help or advice as possible. Thanks

[CThomas]

Yes, there's work. Do your paperwork correctly before coming. Get here, do your CELTA, teach well, and have a good life.

[haller_79]

Not a good idea going cold turkey over to Vietnam (unless you have loads of disposable income). I would try Korea or Japan first, one of the big English schools there, then if you dig the teaching thing try Vietnam later.
Don't get me wrong I love the country but it's a tough initiation if teaching English is what you're planning on doing.

[nick1977]

Thanks for the replies, have been doing some research and intend to do the CELTA over here first.

My paperwork is in order, just waiting on the new criminal record check to be launched over here in the U.K then will get everything notarised.

I intend on having enough money to at least keep me until I find work, I didn't like the idea of relying solely on finding work right away.

My heart is pretty much set on Vietnam, just something about it that has stuck with me. Will definitely consider looking at other countries, need to keep my options open.

[PelemPelem]

Nick, I think the CELTA is a great idea. I did a one month Cambridge CEFLA 15 years ago and it gave me the confidence to start teaching with my frst job in a village in Sualwesi Indonesia, followed by teaching stints in various Language Centres in Australia, then further studies to add to my qualifications. The Certificate is the start of a wonderful adventure.

One of my now adult children ia also studing for a TESOl qualification, and I have just received a job offer which starts in September in Hanoi; my first teaching stint overseas since my Indonesian adventure!

[nick1977]

PelemPelem thanks for the advice, has put my mind at ease. Your story is inspiring. Can I ask what sort of research you did in getting work in Hanoi. And if you had any difficulties?

[PelemPelem]

Nick, I emailed ILA in early 2008. I then went to Vietnam for a long holiday with a friend. We started in Hanoi and it wasn�t until we reached Ho Chi Minh City almost two months later that we were brave enough to write back to the person from ILA to say we were in the vicinity and would love to chat with her about how the school operates and what their requirements were. The woman we met had studied at the university in the city we live in Australia. She was lovely, paid for our coffees, and offered us jobs. We said we�d think about it because we were both working for the public service at that stage. When I got back to Australia I decided to quit my current IT related government job and take a chance at picking up ESL work, and study for a Master in TESOL at the local university. My friend had only recently gained his CELTA but had not yet done any teaching; six months later he decided to �retire� from the public service and also enrolled in the M. TESOL course. Neither of us had any problems finding teaching work in our local city, fortunately. My friend first taught maths, as he has a Masters in that area, and then picked up a few hours of ESL each week at the same university we are both now attending. In the last 18 months I�ve been teaching ESL university preparation courses and ESL and Australian culture to short-term study groups from overseas, and more recently (since Feb), numeracy and literacy to refugees and migrants. I am enrolled in the final unit of my Masters and my friend has about 6 more units to complete. My new position in Hanoi isn�t with ILA, although I would have applied to them again if I hadn�t been successful in the position I have been offered. I�m 53 and my friend is 60 this year. We want to travel and teach before our respective children start having their own children, and while my mother is still independent. I think it�s wonderful to start much earlier � my eldest daughter is 25 and will complete a Grad.Dip in TESOL by the end of this year. I hope she has wonderful (and safe) adventures too, as I�m sure you will.

Hmm, my daughter is right, I do ramble on a lot!

[rpulayya]

Google EPIK. It's a program that is great in Korea. They pay for your flight and housing. You make between 1.9-2.5 million per month. We are looking to move to Vietnam after we finish our one year contract in Korea.

www.ourkoreanteapot.com