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ILA Vietnam: Length of Teaching Contracts

 
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hbon



Joined: 23 Jun 2010
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 7:28 pm    Post subject: ILA Vietnam: Length of Teaching Contracts Reply with quote

Is the length of ILA's teaching contract flexible? If you sign a year contract is it permissible to leave after 6-8 months?

I'm applying for a spot in ILA's CELTA program and hope to find work through them when I complete my training, but I'll be starting law school less than a year after I arrive in Vietnam and unfortunately won't be able to stay for a full 12 months.
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UpScope



Joined: 31 Jul 2007
Posts: 82

PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 1:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They offer 9, 10, 11 and 12 month contracts. Ask them, they will advise you and if it is doable, ie, they need teachers at the time, then they are more than likely to accommodate you.

Keep in mind that most responsible schools, for the sake of stability, will want a longer term commitment over a short term commitment.
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Mushroom Druid



Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 91

PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Longer contracts only provide security, but this is the only benefit.

1 year contracts can restrict you from finding better opportunities and making more money.

I prefer 3 month contracts, and work part time at 2 schools rather than full time at one school.

It gives the instructor more control.

I am not even sure that ILA gives a bonus for contract completion, but other schools do.
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Zajko



Joined: 31 May 2007
Posts: 130
Location: No Fixed Address :)

PostPosted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 7:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ILA give a completion bonus as standard to all 12 month contracts: around USD 1000. Normally also a signing-on bonus of around $750 at the start of such a contract as well, and 1.5 - 2 times that again for re-signing a second contract if you stay on. It's not a fortune but a lot better than nothing.
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Oh My God



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 273

PostPosted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:12 am    Post subject: Re: ILA Vietnam: Length of Teaching Contracts Reply with quote

hbon wrote:
I'm applying for a spot in ILA's CELTA program and hope to find work through them when I complete my training, but I'll be starting law school less than a year after I arrive in Vietnam and unfortunately won't be able to stay for a full 12 months.


One thing you'll find after working here a while is that the contracts are hardly worth the paper they're written on UNLESS they get you a Work Permit. THEN they've got something to hold over your head and could even get you deported over a violation but it's not likely. But leaving early is less of a problem than you'd think - what are they going to do? Deport you? You're leaving anyway so don't sweat it! Just plan your departure immediately after a pay day.
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hbon



Joined: 23 Jun 2010
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"One thing you'll find after working here a while is that the contracts are hardly worth the paper they're written on UNLESS they get you a Work Permit. THEN they've got something to hold over your head and could even get you deported over a violation but it's not likely."

This is my main concern, can anyone else speak to the chances of this happening? It seems from the ILA website that gaining a Work Permit or at least being eligible for a work permit is necessary for employment. Do they link your teaching contract to your VISA/work permit and not allow you to leave before the completion date?

To the other replies - very helpful information and good to know there is some degree of flexibility.
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Oh My God



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 273

PostPosted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hbon wrote:
Do they link your teaching contract to your VISA/work permit and not allow you to leave before the completion date?


I wrote:
Quote:
But leaving early is less of a problem than you'd think - what are they going to do? Deport you? You're leaving anyway so don't sweat it!


Do you have a reading comprehension problem?

None of us really want to talk about this or exercise this option because we'd like to think of ourselves as honorable people. But the other side of the coin is that some of us has seen creative VN administrators mess with and sometimes completely distort contracts to do whatever suits them best AND you'll find that other VN agencies won't help in the enforcement of the contract so that all that is left is just quitting anyway! What's that old saying about "when in Rome..."?

It doesn't make any sense to force a disgruntled employee to finish a contract or slap the guy in jail - when deporting him is quick and economical. But even this is highly unlikely because of the massive paperwork and coordination between all the various government agencies. The easiest and least painful way to get rid of you is to just not renew your Visa which would force you out of the country with minimal paperwork and effort.
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Kornan DeKobb



Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Posts: 242

PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:05 pm    Post subject: Re: ILA Vietnam: Length of Teaching Contracts Reply with quote

hbon wrote:
Is the length of ILA's teaching contract flexible? If you sign a year contract is it permissible to leave after 6-8 months?

I'm applying for a spot in ILA's CELTA program and hope to find work through them when I complete my training, but I'll be starting law school less than a year after I arrive in Vietnam and unfortunately won't be able to stay for a full 12 months.

What makes you think they will offer you a job after getting your CELTA? Sure, they'll blow all this smoke up your arse and say how they need teachers and will get you a work visa, blah blah blah, take your money, give you your Certificate, then say, "See ya!"

There are quite a few cases of experienced, well qualified teachers who do their CELTA there, perhaps even coming into the country to do so, and then are not even offered part-time positions. It is not the most reputable of places. I'd consider other options.

And this while putting up new ads every week, too! Rolling Eyes
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deessell2



Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Posts: 132
Location: Under the sun

PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:51 pm    Post subject: Re: ILA Vietnam: Length of Teaching Contracts Reply with quote

Kornan DeKobb wrote:

There are quite a few cases of experienced, well qualified teachers who do their CELTA there, perhaps even coming into the country to do so, and then are not even offered part-time positions. It is not the most reputable of places. I'd consider other options.

And this while putting up new ads every week, too! Rolling Eyes


Firstly, why are experienced, well qualified teachers doing their CELTA? Surely by definition they already have qualifications?

Secondly, maybe the CELTA trainer/s didn't think that highly of them as teachers.

I also think it's a bit of a stretch to say that ILA is not a reputable employer. They may not be the best choice for an experienced teacher however, for someone just starting out they're a safe choice.
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Kornan DeKobb



Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Posts: 242

PostPosted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 4:14 am    Post subject: Re: ILA Vietnam: Length of Teaching Contracts Reply with quote

deessell2 wrote:
Kornan DeKobb wrote:

There are quite a few cases of experienced, well qualified teachers who do their CELTA there, perhaps even coming into the country to do so, and then are not even offered part-time positions. It is not the most reputable of places. I'd consider other options.

And this while putting up new ads every week, too! Rolling Eyes


Firstly, why are experienced, well qualified teachers doing their CELTA? Surely by definition they already have qualifications?

I am talking about ESL teachers with experience and advanced degrees, but not in English or Education. Some of the better jobs will not even consider you without a CELTA.

Quote:
Secondly, maybe the CELTA trainer/s didn't think that highly of them as teachers.

So why did they pass them? (Although, to be honest, there were some trainees whom I would not have passed but who did Exclamation )

Anyway, are you saying that, above and beyond the CELTA report, that trainers give recommendations to HR staff?

Quote:
I also think it's a bit of a stretch to say that ILA is not a reputable employer. They may not be the best choice for an experienced teacher however, for someone just starting out they're a safe choice.

Even if they are a reputable employer, they are certainly a misleading advertiser.
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