Job Discussion Forums

[winterwawa]

Hi. I am sure that this has been asked, but since the search function never works...

I am 56 years old and have 12 years experience teaching English in Korea. I am thinking of trying Vietnam before retiring, but am worried about being able to find a decent job in Vietnam due to my age. Can anyone give me some advice?

I have a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in TESOL.
10 years University experience and have spent the last two years teaching privates.

I also have about 40,000USD saved and would consider opening a school. Is that doable?

Any advise would be appreciated.

[Oh My God]

You should check this out, which was a fairly recent post:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=85244&sid=e357deab689a0db4529ab777f32b7039

Another foreign owned school? The complications are mind boggling BUT DOABLE

Perhaps you should teach here first 6 months or so and THEN explore the school thing

[tefl peasant]

12 years experience in Korea.

A big plus.

Looks are important, especially in Saion. You should not worry.

Good luck.

[snollygoster]

Your age is not a problem.
Establish a school? I know people who have done it- You need to have a Vietnamese "front". Its not impossible with a foreign front, but it sure is easier for a Viet to do it.
Put the local on a mortgage agreement that he/she can never pay off. That way the local is the legal front, but you have all the control.

[tefl peasant]

Age is not a factor in Vietnam - yet.

There has been an influx of younger teachers because of the economic downturn in the west. Now, these younger teachers don't stay long, and they are new so they do certain classes (e.g. kids) so older long-termers and older newcomers are in demand, and actually wanted by certain institutions (e.g. universities)

But younger teachers can be paid less and pushed around more and some directors consider them to be more "energetic" and creative. True on some accounts.

In Saigon there has been a recent emphasis by the larger private language schools to focus on recruiting "fresh fish."

[winterwawa]

Thanks for the info. Vietnam seems like a viable option. Does VN require a criminal records check and an apostatized degree like Korea?

[snollygoster]

Criminal check -yes

[winterwawa]

[tefl peasant]

[winterwawa]