Job Discussion Forums

[romanworld]

Does anyone know anything about RMIT, Vietnam? According to their website they offer competitive salaries, but are always advertising here at Dave's for teachers, which suggests they have a large turnover of faculty.

[spycatcher reincarnated]

[H5N1]

[SCHUBERT]

Yes, it is run by a surly, elderly aussie lady who appears to delight in offering then withdrawing offers for teaching positions at the centre. A bit of a Walkabout if you will. Odd

[catscratch]

H5N1 said he knew someone who worked there. could you please have them post here and tell a little about RMIT? I applied there and am waiting to hear back. Any help would be nice instead of assumptions and vague hearsay. Thanks!

[legaleagle]

I was a senior manager at RMIT for three years. I left last year. What do you want to know?

[Joe Dolce]

RMIT try to recruit from abroad as well as locally which is why they advertise on eslcafe a lot. With 100 teachers even low turnover means a lot of recruitment.

[johnyarrington]

Dear legaleagle,

May I inquire as to why you left after 3 years?

[Dsay]

RMIT Hanoi is easily considered one of the top schools in this city in terms of pay and working conditions. They are also picky about who they hire and finding replacements for teachers who leave is a long process, which is why they advertise so often. A few other good schools in Hanoi are ACET, UNIS and The British Council. Language Link and Cleverlearn are not bad choices for people with limited experience and/or qualifications.

[legaleagle]

I was actually in charge of the "content" area of business, rather than in the English department, but I know everyone there and so can speak for RMIT in general. I also managed the Hanoi program out of HCMC.

I left as it became a bit of a "been there, done that" situation. I wasn't learning anything new, it was repetitive and three trimesters a year leads to a bit of a grind. There is no summer holiday or Christmas, for example, and you basically get 20 days per year to use during the three-week trimester breaks. National holidays add perhaps 8 or so additional days off, and everyone gets two consecutive days off per week, either Sat and Sun or Sun and Mon.

With that said, RMIT is certainly a professional and honorable organisation and a couple of years there is worth the time and effort. It will lead to other opportunities throughout the world and the workplace is pleasant. There are no issues with paying on time or any of the other horror stories that are common in VN.

Someone mentioned the Aussie lady in charge of the English program - I know her very well and she is actually very lovely. She doesn't tolerate monkey business, however, so if you aren't qualified with a CELTA and a degree she won't be interested in your application. All part of upholding the standards, you know.

Best of luck to all that are considering the uni.

[SCHUBERT]

Well, i had a Masters and 2 teachers i knew who applied there had RSA Dips and they were given the runaround by this Aussie lady. We were all given start dates (ie we were 'successful' at interview) only to have the offers withdrawn. One teacher suggested that she likes 'meeting young men' LOL

MOD EDIT

[brendancarson]

Does anyone know exactly what the salary is for RMIT? I haven't been able to find it and would like to know before I go through the application process.

[Texas_blu]

I haven't worked there in a year or more but it was 24 USD per hour. There are a number of other benefits depending on which section you work in, I worked the corporate accounts were benefits were minimum.

Most teachers that worked there really liked it but did complain about their requirements as they couldn't stack other jobs.

RMIT is probably one of the most honorable employers in HCMC but they want to be exclusive and that IS the legal side of things here.

[polyglot2000]

I have seen other postings elsewhere about age limits -- and lack thereof -- in Vietnam. Some postings were from teachers in their 50s and 60s who are working in Vietnam. But I am wondering if RMIT, specifically, has upper age limits on teachers as I want to apply there, but don't want it to be wasting my time if that is a problem.

Where I am now, in the Arabian Gulf, there are "retirement" limits at 55 and 60 years of age, although I have been "grandfathered" in, to a certain extent.

Does anyone know about RMIT? legaleagle?

[silvery]

Since I last looked, the English language teaching positions being offered by RMIT VN have changed a little. They're currently looking for language instructors (less experienced teachers) and language educators (more experienced teachers with more duties and higher pay). Both require 40 hrs/week on campus. I don't see the option of "hourly paid" any longer. Hourly paid positions did not require full time attendance on campus.

Legaleagle wrote, "I wasn't learning anything new, it was repetitive and three trimesters a year leads to a bit of a grind. There is no summer holiday or Christmas, for example, and you basically get 20 days per year to use during the three-week trimester breaks. National holidays add perhaps 8 or so additional days off, and everyone gets two consecutive days off per week, either Sat and Sun or Sun and Mon. "

Anyone know if that is still the case? (An aside: if yes, it is a huge downside. Teachers need proper breaks if they are to teach well).

Any reports, favourable or otherwise, from current or recent teachers on the desirability of teaching English with RMIT?