Job Discussion Forums

refugee · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 33

I've searched the web for Uni jobs in Vietnam/Hanoi (The forum search returned a blank white page) but there seems to be very little info.

I have an MA TESOL and I've previously worked at a university in Korea.

Aside from RMIT and a few other colleges of dubious heritage, I've found very little info

This undated article stated:

toiyeuthitmeo · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 213

Interesting undated quote. It doesn't match with my handful-of-years in Vietnam experience. I'd say the vast majority of native-speaking teachers in Vietnam teach at private language schools and international schools, and that those who enjoy qualifications such as yours (MA plus experience) often pursue DOS or Teacher Training positions.

There are a few unis in my city, and the wages struggle to match those offered at the private language centers in town.

RMIT enjoys a fairly decent reputation, at least in terms of employee satisfaction. The wages are good and teachers there that I know are happy. It is by far the university in HCMC that is synonymous with English language programs.

Another Australian partnership, through the University of Queensland, runs the English Language Institute at the University of Danang. It is known for having high standards, good pay, and interesting teaching opportunities.

http://www.elidanang.edu.vn/

Andy123 · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 206

I am sorry but that article is very wrong. It would be nice in a perfect world but it is not correct.

You have good qualifications but to be honest not many schools will respect them. It is about money here and that is drying up.

Can you get a good paying job here with your qualifications? Maybe, maybe not. Do not get me wrong. You should but that is not how it works here.

I know a teacher here with an MA in Applied Linguistics plus a PhD and many years of experience and he has trouble finding work at schools. I know he is a good teacher and his students like him. He is not a good teacher. Think about it from the Vietnamese perspective? Cheap backpack teacher or a more expensive teacher? Is the school there to educate or make money?

If you are persistent and want to take the gamble you will probably make something work for you. Being presistent is the key.

When a high school drop-out is making more money than you or the same it becomes a little discouraging at times. I am not joking!

This is Vietnam and that is what it is. Adapt and accommodate or go somewhere else. Sorry but that is life here. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.

I wish you the very best in your quest.

Andy123 · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 206

Sorry but I made a typo regarding my post. I said my friend with the PhD was " not a good teacher" but I meant to write was that he is a good teacher and he sometimes has trouble finding work regardless of his credentials. Sorry.

baygioimdi · Joined: 28 Jan 2011 Posts: 44

Interesting comment about the teacher with the PhD. However, why would someone with a PhD be teaching English in Vietnam? Most school directors would prefer to hire someone with the CELTA and degree rather than someone with PhD, celta, MA etc etc. You don't need a PhD to teach English, in fact, I don't know of any positions in any language school which would require that kind of education.

I have worked with a few English teachers in Vietnam with PhD and all of them have failed.

If you have a PhD do not put it on your CV unless you are looking for a academic position in a Uni etc etc, language schools will probably not employ one with PhD.

Regarding teaching english at foreign universities in Vietnam, besides RMIT, you need to be here to get the jobs at the pay in good depending on what you are teaching.

refugee · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 33

Thanks for the replies.

Aside from RMIT and UO Danang, can anyone else suggest any other universities (preferably in Hanoi) which regularly hire foreigners such as myself, or at least always have some as staff?

I've only been here a couple of weeks and a few people I've met only can make vague references to uni work but don't know anyone or any specifics.

silvery · Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 27

Can anyone offer views on "employee satisfaction" at RMIT, Hanoi?

Snollygoster, may I ask who are considered "the big three"?

Andy123 · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 206

The newbie�s think it is all wonderful here. They take their cultural norms and values and try to apply them to a short few months in Asia.

My friend with a Ph D has over twenty years of experience at a major university and speaks four languages including Vietnamese. He went to the number one language school in the world. Where is that? We teach language so all should know this simple question.

How does he compare to a 20 something backpacker?

Vietnam is becoming a backpacker haven. They come and go. The Viets have a word for that and it is Tay Balow.

You want a job that is great. Do not forget that you are just passing through and we live here and have to clean up your mess when you leave.

I spent three hour just today explaining what a gerund was because several teachers told them it was a verb. Backpackers teaching grammar? OMG.

You can not teach what you do not know!! I am not a big believer in teaching grammar but if you can not identify a conjunction, verb, adverb, preposition, etc. you should be at a backpacker school and not taking a job from a real teacher. Think about the students and not yourself.

Jbhughes · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 254

Jbhughes · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 254

ajc19810 · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 214

ILA

toiyeuthitmeo · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 213

I'm assuming he's referring to Cambridge??

Andy123 · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 206

OMG! What is the school that teaches every major language in the world including Hmong?

God, this is like playing a game with the first grade.

It is not ILA. Trust me.

refugee · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 33

Back to the topic of universities in Vietnam

Does anyone know of anyone who works/has worked at a uni's English dept here?

I've not yet met anyone who works at or knows someone who works at a university during my first few weeks here and so I'm inclined to believe foreigners are not generally employed at Vietnam unis.

I'm more interested in finding a good job than a high salary.

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

Most Viet Unis have limited budgets and foreign ESL teachers are rarely seen in them.
However, I have some experience in this and can say that Vietnam National Uni in HCMC hires foreigners, and is a good place to work-They are in District 3.
Also Hoa Sen (Lotus) Uni in District 1 hires foreigners, but their ESL program is a disorganized mess.

Saigon Tech Uni in Go Vap is a new shiny outfit with programs from Houston Community College. Actually its an old outfit with a new building. The management is egocentric, and the program is really poor- "helping" students is expected, and if a student can write his/her name on the exam paper, that gets 52% in marks. (No joke).

Dont expect any of these places to have "real" University ESL programs- they are only glorified GE programs marketed with clever names like "Business English Studies".

Pay rates in Unis are generally lower than in the Language Mills, but this is often off-set by the fact that classes are mostly in the day time, and week-ends are free.