Job Discussion Forums

[chrisandcarla]

Hi there,
Is there anyone who has worked in both China and Vietnam? How do they compare? What would you say the main differences are? We're (my husband and I) not overly concerned about wage, as long as we can put a minimum of $300 dollars away towards student loans per month, so I'm mainly wondering about teaching experiences, lifestyle, school quality, etc.
Thanks

[awakenow]

you should be able to save more than that and taking a job that underpays will not help you or anyone else in this field.

It hurts everyone who is trying to make a living in ESL when people undercut and accept the lowest wage out there. (I don't know that you are doing this but by saying we only need to save $300. shoots up a red flag).

World-wide the average worker is being screwed and the reason corps can do this is because people are giving away their work or accepting less than acceptable wages. (i report is a good example of how they managed to trick people into giving free reports and they were able to fire thousands of journalists).


Be well educated and require to be paid fairly.

[kaurinz]

My partner and I are trying to figure out where to head next as well and are looking at both the countries. Hopefully some kind souls have that experience and can share it with us before we make our decisions.

[time to teach]

I've taught in Hanoi, Haikou, Shenzhen and Xiamen. Like life, the environments and job markets in these cities are changing all the time. So much of your experience depends on where you live and what kind of teaching job you have. I taught at a private languge school in Haikou, and had a weekend gig teaching at a nice resort in Sanya, and made 6K a month in 2003 with a free apartment. In Hanoi, I worked at several schools part-time making around $15 an hour, and my average take home pay was $1,000, but I had to pay rent, so I saved about the same. In China, I've worked at language schools and universities and done privates and corporate classes on the side. In Shenzhen, I'm earning and saving more $ than I ever have as an ESL teacher. Based on my experience and what I know about the job markets and lifestyles in Hanoi and SZ, I'd say they're both equally worth taking a good look at.

[sezstar]

I know this thread a little bit older but here are my two cents. I taught in Chinese Universities in Chongqing and Nanjing for two years. While I taught there, I also worked part time as a private tutor and in language institutes. I now live in HCMC and am teaching at an International School. The two types of teaching are extremely different but I must say I much prefer living here.

I was able to save a lot of money in China because teaching in University the salary is very good for the low standard of living in China. One year, my boyfriend and I were able to save 11,000 AUD even after travelling to South East Asia and to a few places in China but that was with working in institutes on the weekends too. Currently I am able to save about 1,000 USD a month as we share our apartment with another couple and standard of living is pretty low in Saigon too if you don't go out and party every single weekend.

Another reason I prefer Vietnam is the chilled out nature of the people. I found China rather abrasive sometimes and the culture was very different even though I speak Chinese and am of Chinese heritage. If you can get a job at an International school in Vietnam, that would be my first choice!

[LeopoldBloom]

I know this post is old but I'll add my two cents here...

I definitely prefer Vietnam to China, for sure. I'm in Vietnam now. I worked in Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Wenzhou, China. China used to be a good gig ten years ago but the rules have changed and Chinese people's attitudes toward FT's have changed for the negative, no respect for FT's in China.

I do a lot better financially here in Vietnam and the Vietnamese are generally a cooler to work with by a long shot.

It's no contest: Vietnam is a far better place to work hands down. If it were a basketball game Vietnam versus China, which is a better place to work, it'd be Vietnam 86, China 4; Yao Ming would be totally shut down.

PM anybody if you have any questions.

Bloom.