Job Discussion Forums

DNK · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 236 Location: the South

Hm, so I've been applying to schools here in HCMC for a bit now, and I'm not getting any interest. I've heard that my intended stay (3-6 months) is too short, we only give contracts for 1 year, etc, and I have had to not apply to a few places because they explicitly state as much in the job ad. I thought I had heard on the forums that 3 months was almost preferred by some schools since it means they don't have to deal with WPs, but of course short stays are rarely that desirable for a business.

Background is:
26, American, BA (English minor), 120hr cert, ~1yr non-TEFL teaching experience (a bit of spin, it's more like .5yr teaching and .5yr assisting). Not stellar, I know, and God knows I'm used to not getting jobs quickly after the last couple of years in the States. Still, I guess I figured this would be a bit easier than it's turning out to be, but I am thinking my intended contract duration is too short.

Or is it not a problem and I should just keep on going with it? I'm really not ready to commit to a full year in HCMC, though.

***** ***** *****

Also curious about how you go about finding places to apply to. I've searched back a year or two on these forums, picked up some names, looked them up, and walked in, but otherwise I've had little luck finding opportunities. The site's job board doesn't have terribly many ads either. Some local help gave me an extra school, but otherwise I'm out of ideas. Internet searching is just giving me placement agencies, and Yellow Pages doesn't seem to have anything specific.

Suppose I'm going to have to give the agencies a shot soon, but I didn't want to give up on directly applying just yet. Any info on which agencies to go with? Tiger English? Teach Abroad (doesn't seem like one for those already in-country)? ~A bit lost~

Oh My God · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 273

Go to [url]http//www.saigonesl.com[/url] and then click on "school listings" and then you can check out different listings by Districts.

The info is a bit dated but most addresses are still good. The website is run by a strange character with the nick "lizard doctor" but overall most info is pretty good. Rolling Eyes

Good luck and happy hunting!

DNK · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 236 Location: the South

Thank you for the link. I have no clue why, but when I paste it into the address bar, I get redirected to a wiki article on HTTP. Found it through Google, of course, but that was odd...

But thanks a lot, that's just what I was looking for Smile

Ryan425 · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 11 Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Please note that most contracts have an escape loophole for the employer and employee. It usually reads something like, "Both parties have the right to terminate this contract within a certain number of weeks prior notification."

With that said, it might be better for you not to mention the amount of time you intend to teach in Vietnam. So, get the job. Do your best, and give notification within the stipulated period as stated on the contract.

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

Cleverlearn on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai will hire you. Talk to Bui Tran. She is easy to approach, organized, and they are desperate for teachers. Its not the worls best job, but they are well resourced and enjoy a reasonably good reputation in the ESL field. Lots of kids.
If not, come to Hanoi- I will get you a job in a flash unless you have major issues.

DNK · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 236 Location: the South

Well, I like to be honest upfront about my intentions when I can, and given the opportunities here, I see no reason to lie that I only intend to stay about 6mo.

I already applied to Cleverlearn there about 4 or 5 days ago, and haven't heard anything back yet. I was going to send a follow up email or something like that today or tomorrow, so we'll see. Thank you for the help there, I'll try to see if I can talk to her in specific.

haller_79 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 145

Captain Willard · Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Posts: 251

A word of warning about Cleverlearn: Don't do the free demo lesson unless you lay the edutainment on heavy. I put games in the lesson plan when teaching children, but Cleverlearn expected games for an adult class. (If they want this, they should be open about it beforehand, and not after.)
IMHO Cleverlearn=Clownteach.

Captain Willard · Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Posts: 251

What is the normal period of notification?

Is it the same for both parties, or can the employer terminate the employee's services at any time, while the employee must give 30 days notice?

How does not having a work permit affect the situation?

AmanJivan · Joined: 22 Dec 2009 Posts: 32

[quote="Captain Willard"]What is the normal period of notification?

Many people who are in the process of signing contracts, especially people new to the process feel that a contract is set in stone.

Generally a switched on lawyer will write and initial contract that favours the employer to the max and gives as little as possible leeway to the employee.

Read a contract first and then go back to them with a list of things you want changed if you are not happy with the contract.

It is common business practice, I do it all the time. Most to the contracts written by ESL Language Centres are full of strange things.

Initially they might get shocked that you say " No this contract is unacceptable to me because"... If they wont listen to your concerns, they probably aren't worth working for

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