| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Mushroom Druid
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Posts: 91
|
 Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:14 am Post subject: The Decline of EFL in Saigon |
 |
|
There will always be an EFL market in Saigon.
It's a large city. There is demand for English.
But in the last 2 years I've seen teaching in HCMC deteriorate.
The maind reason IMO, is the influx of people to teach. This is mostly because (IMO) of the financial crisis in the native English speaking countries, and in particular, the US.
Although many of these new arrivals out of Uni armed with their CELTA will not teach EFL long and often leave within 1 year, there is also more and more that come to replace them.
Hours are down at many of the larger schools.
Your opinion? Am I perceiving this correctly? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
refugee
Joined: 21 Dec 2009
Posts: 33
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
This has been happening throughout the EFL industry for some time and it's certainly not unique to Vietnam. But while wages elsewhere have stagnated, they have dropped in Vietnam - but perhaps they were too high to begin with?
It's a basic supply & demand issue. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
haller_79
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
Posts: 145
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The country to the north of VN seems to have an abundant demand. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Skyblue2
Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 127
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I don't think all these folks are going to go home when the economy improves. First, I don't see the economy picking up much steam for a while. Two, after several years overseas teaching, a lot of people find it hard to go back and may make teaching a long term career. There's a lot of interest in Vietnam because it's a nice, warm place with seemingly good pay (compared to what young people could expect in the US even). I, personally, think the good days are over and that's why I'm not there anymore. But it will get worse before it gets better. Mark my words. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Slanted & Enchanted
Joined: 02 Oct 2010
Posts: 18
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I'm up north, getting plenty of hours, decent pay, and have sourced other work, no complaints from this side of town. I guess some people just like to complain here and shed a tear for "the good old days".....time to grow up and realize things change. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BenE
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 321
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I come back here to see how things are getting on now and then. I think some people on this board need to cut their teeth in Europe or in Belarus and see how much harder things can be on the other side of the world. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
haller_79
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
Posts: 145
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I think some people on this board need to cut their teeth in Europe or in Belarus and see how much harder things can be on the other side of the world. |
You go to Europe to do real work. You go to Asia to do clownteach. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Slanted & Enchanted
Joined: 02 Oct 2010
Posts: 18
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| haller_79 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I think some people on this board need to cut their teeth in Europe or in Belarus and see how much harder things can be on the other side of the world. |
You go to Europe to do real work. You go to Asia to do clownteach. |
Sure, there seems to be many "edutainment" schools around for those chasing cash or an easy job but one school I freelance with has got elite students that keep me on my toes, hell, even my day job has got high level students that makes for fun and stimulating lessons. Don't generalize too much, dude.
Last edited by Slanted & Enchanted on Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:17 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
I'm With Stupid
Joined: 03 Sep 2010
Posts: 432
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
| haller_79 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I think some people on this board need to cut their teeth in Europe or in Belarus and see how much harder things can be on the other side of the world. |
You go to Europe to do real work. You go to Asia to do clownteach. |
Maybe you do. Doesn't mean everyone does. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Mad Hatter
Joined: 16 May 2010
Posts: 165
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| one school I freelance with has got elite students that keep me on my toes, hell, even my day job has got high level students that makes for fun and stimulating lessons. . |
I know but even if you're doing a great job , and theyre getting top- notch thought provoking teaching with scintillating explanations and are truly inspiring at the end of the day you're still a clown because they think that seems like what a clown does. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DNK
Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 236
Location: the South
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The Mad Hatter wrote: |
| I know but even if you're doing a great job , and theyre getting top- notch thought provoking teaching with scintillating explanations and are truly inspiring at the end of the day you're still a clown because they think that seems like what a clown does. |
Time to find a new country imo |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
deadlift
Joined: 08 Jun 2010
Posts: 267
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The Mad Hatter wrote: |
| I know but even if you're doing a great job , and theyre getting top- notch thought provoking teaching with scintillating explanations and are truly inspiring at the end of the day you're still a clown because they think that seems like what a clown does. |
I know that it will be hard for you and some others to believe, but there are some schools here that treat teachers with a degree of respect and professionalism. Schools where the quality of teacher you describe is definitely not considered (or treated as or paid as) a clown.
If after spending more than half a year in Vietnam, someone finds themselves still working for clown-schools, I'd suggest checking the mirror for a big red nose and smiley face make up. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Slanted & Enchanted
Joined: 02 Oct 2010
Posts: 18
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
| DNK wrote: |
| The Mad Hatter wrote: |
| I know but even if you're doing a great job , and theyre getting top- notch thought provoking teaching with scintillating explanations and are truly inspiring at the end of the day you're still a clown because they think that seems like what a clown does. |
Time to find a new country imo |
Hear hear! I'll fully admit I've been in The Mad Haters club before in my last port of call, all I can say is what I've experienced so far are very polite, keen, and charming students. If I ever start posting hate about Vietnam, I'll know it's time to pack my bags and leave.
For those hesitant about making the jump to Vietnam, there seems to be many teachers of varying degree plying their trade here, just get yourself employed in a reputable company that gives you a year long working visa and try and get extra money on the side (which you'll probably need) by networking. In which case you can have quite a nice lifestyle here and still save money.
Vietnam rocks, in my case at least. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
1st Sgt Welsh
Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I completely concur with the above posts by I'm With Stupid, BenE, Slanted & Enchanted, DNK & deadlift.
I think teachers should make, as much as possible, their lessons fun so that students enjoy their learning. However, if someone honestly feels that they have to be a "clown" to be an EFL teacher in Vietnam than please do us all a favor and go off and ply your trade in a circus somewhere else. If you have no respect for your own chosen profession than why should anyone else? God knows, EFL teachers here are pretty much the bottom rung of the expat ladder as it is. Let other people, who know little or nothing about what we do, belittle our industry. The vast majority of people on this board are well-traveled university graduates who are providing a service that this country desperately needs. Sure, there are 'backpacker teachers' working in 'cowboy schools', but I am not talking about them and they certainly should not be speaking for me.
A similar topic came up a while ago on another thread to which I responded. I can't be bothered typing out my thoughts again so I'm just going to quote it:
| 1st Sgt Welsh wrote: |
Besides, this is as worthwhile as anything else. We are involved in education and, the acquisition of English for many people around the world, depending on certain variables, is often essential if they want to get ahead. Furthermore, it can open another world to people through greater exposure to foreign influences.
If certain people wish to view their time as an EFL teacher as little more than acting as a 'native English speaking monkey' than that's their problem. In many cases, it is also their problem if they choose to continue working for a school that shares that view and treats them as such. |
Yep, couldn't agree with myself more there  . |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mattingly
Joined: 03 Jul 2008
Posts: 249
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I agree with Madhatter for the most part.
Edutainment is the norm.
Yes, a couple of schools treat people well and don't expect instructors to be a clown.
But in the big picture, this IS the case.
Madhatter is calling it like it is. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
