Job Discussion Forums

[mark_in_saigon]

There was a bunch of bad publicity on a company using the UNESCO name. Apparently more than one outfit was using that same name in the past. The one who got the bad rap was another location(s), and they subsequently changed their name, or that is my understanding. The one I am asking about now is the one that you navigate to when you follow the TEFL INTERNATIONAL TESOL link to the HCMC school location advertised here on Dave's. They may be Dave's biggest advertiser, they are the organization I recognize most as an advertiser on his site. Supposedly the highly questionable one change their name to Compass. Anyone have any better information on this UNESCO, the one at 68 Vo Thi Sau? The one with the bad publicity was also on Vo Thi Sau, but a different street address. Adding to the confusion is the fact that TEFL INTERNATIONAL partners with countless schools, so the question is not really about who TEFL INTERNATIONAL is, but more about this local partner school, UNESCO. I would imagine we have some local grads or former teachers from there, and would appreciate some honest appraisals of the organization. Thanks.

[jhawkguy77]

Hi Mark -

UNESCO-CEP is a cultural exchange program that offers English lessons at a reasonable price for students that might not otherwise get to learn English. UNESCO works much like an outsourcing type company as they do not have many classes themselves but other local businesses and schools hire UNESCO to supply the teachers. You could work for a public university, company, or teaching children at a kindergarten type school. The pay is average and they are never late on payment. You are paid 2 times a course middle of the course and at the end of the course. You will be given the English books and schedule and the rest is up to you. On your own really as far as resources and lesson planning etc.... It is a good way to make connections with many types of students and can even build a nice private following if you so desire. You will have to have the normal documentation to work there and I believe they will not help arrange a work permit.

[Andy123]

Yes, that is what was intended by UNESCO. In reality, it is just another bait and switch.

Given their history I would run.

[mark_in_saigon]

They are where you navigate to if looking for the VN TEFL training when you click on the TEFL INTERNATIONAL link advertised all over Dave's, including this page. I noticed that when following the link to the schools in the Philippines or Thailand it is totally different schools that come up. Are they not a well known provider of the TEFL certs here in VN?

[ColinOKeefe]

I had a good experience with them. I taught at a university and several high schools. The high schools had good structure and curriculum and the Uni was fun because I had freedom. I could make fun lessons based loosely on a small book but largely talking about related areas and doing a lot of group discussions role play etc. For the uni students this was outside of their official school grades and just a cheap English class that they could take for their own betterment.
That being said I'm not exactly sure what programs they have running now. It's true there wasnt a lot of support from anyone with uni at but the high school there was

[mark_in_saigon]

This is the place that does the TEFL International TESOL certification here in HCMC, I think they are the biggest advertiser on this site. I finally took one of these certs, as some of my program edges into pure English and I thought it would be worthwhile to add it to my resume, even though it is not required for me. I will be posting a general review of the program in a new thread soon, anyone considering taking that course can message me for details. As that is a longer story, let me just say a bit about the place in general here. It is rather uncertain how all these operations tie together. The TEFL people do not really control the building, they seem to be independent of the other occupants, although the entire thing seems to have some kind of loose affiliation. With the one facility related issue I had, they acted like they had no control of the issue, it was not something they could proactively address. On the people at the main entrance, some very personable young people who seem to be marketing various teaching/training programs, I would chat with them often, they were quite nice. They asked about my interest in teaching, so I quizzed them a bit. They have the standard advertisement format of about 8 types of programs, you have all seen this, smiling faces, IELTS, business training, children's programs, etc. So, I ask them to tell me about the business training (my niche), oh, sorry, no have. Tell me about IELTS, oh sorry, no have. Well, what DO you have? Out of the 6 or 8 programs advertised, they actually have 1. Still, this is not that shocking to me, almost nothing surprises me here, I am surprised when things actually follow a logical process, so this seemed about right. I might have guessed some would not be there, but probably would not have guessed only 1 would be available. ANYWAY, this is a pretty good indication of what the overall situation was like. Again, will be happy to respond to anyone who wants to know about the TEFL thing, I will create a separate thread on that when I get a little farther away from the event. I did like most of the associates personally, and I do not want to disparage the program.