Job Discussion Forums

[irishinsaigon]

Hi all,

I am currently travelling around South East Asia and planning to hit Saigon by early May 2011. My plan is to find a job as native English teacher for about 6 months. I have a 4 yr BA degree in Accounting and Finance plus 80 hour Tefl cert (on-line) but no teaching experience (I have worked in banking for the last 12 years and am looking for a change of scenery). I have my degree and TEFL cert authenticated and have a police cert from back home (which I think I need to get a work permit in Vietnam).

My initial plan is to apply to schools such as VUS and Cleverlearn when I get there. Another thought is to apply to agencies such as TEFL international in order to get a placement (although I think I would rather do it on my own).

Can anyone advise if they think I am on the right track here? I am hoping to earn 15-20 USD per hour (hopefully at the higher end of this scale!) and work around 20 hours a week. Am I totally off track here or is this possible?. Also is May a good time to find a job in Saigon and is my expectation of salary reasonable?

[I'm With Stupid]

You might be lucky to get the higher end of that scale with only an online TEFL. VUS have pretty decent starting pay, but I'm not sure about their requirements. I only know a couple of people who work there, and they both have a 120 hour practical TESOL certificate.

[deadlift]

I'm with Stupid is correct. The kinds of schools that will pay at the higher end of that scale are unlikely to look at you without a 120 hour course with a practical component.

Based on what I know of cleverlearn, you should be able to get a job there, and there's a hundred more schools in town where you could easily find work.

[irishinsaigon]

thanks guys for the advice,

Probably a little over optimisitic for me to expect 20 USD per hour with no practical teaching experience!! I guess I would be happy enough starting off with around 15 USD and working my way up. Apart from VUS or CleverLearn, are there any other schools that you would recommend me to apply to or that you know are currently hiring? Cheers!

[The Mad Hatter]

I think with your professional experience, and TEFL you will most certainly be able to get that kind of rate. It would be at a school teaching accounting class, or something els in business. Being a woman also gives you a great advantage here. The ratio is too many men. Please PM me and I can refer you to a couple schools that you should contact. The language schools are fine, but you can probably start at a higher level in a college or business school.

[irishinsaigon]

thanks mad hatter,

tried to PM you but it says I neeed to post 5 times before I can contact another member!! I would definately be interested in teaching business english. I have worked as a supervisor and trainer in banking for over 10 years so I think it would suit me. Let me build up my posts and I will PM you. thanks again for the help.

[toiyeuthitmeo]

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[toiyeuthitmeo]

Lots of the teacher world ends up in Pham Ngu Lao, at a number of watering holes. Try the Bia Hoi in the middle of Bui Vien street. There is also a dingy dirty dive bar called T&R Tavern that seems to be a teacher haunt due to friendly prices. Not sure if this is still accurate, but a little place called Bread and Butter, also in Pham Ngu Lao, is known to be a teacher place. You may find some of your countryfolk at Sheridan's. Identify teachers by the presence of the uniform (some kind of messenger bag or laptop case, collared shirt, slacks for the guys, bit more varied for ladies), the age-range (20s-30s, of course with a fair amount of older people, too) and frequently, the presence of a drink.

As for a job, you will be a disadvantage due to the nature of your cert, but by no means impossible to find work. Hit the pavement, drop off resumes, get your face seen. Don't rely too much on phone calls or emails. Face-to-face is the key. I'd refuse to work for less than $15 if I were you, but that's just me, maybe money is not a huge issue for you.