Job Discussion Forums

[calidan]

Hi everybody,

I’ve been lurking for a while here, and just joined to say thanks(!) to the regular posters for providing such thorough information, as well as post some questions about my situation...

I’m 46, a caucasian american male, and live in California now, but I plan to relocate to HCMC within the next 3 months. I’m lucky in that I have enough of a nest egg that I don’t have to work, if I spend wisely in a low-cost area like many places in SEA. However, I wouldn’t mind having a part-time job, just to have something to do and make a little bit of spending money. I have a BS in Computer Science, but no TEFL certifications or experience. However, I used to teach introductory computer skills classes part-time back in the ‘90s. I find it fun and rewarding, and not because it was computer-based. (Actually, I’m pretty sick of the IT/computer field and want to work and interact with normal humans again).

Anyway, I’m wondering if there are opportunities in HCMC teaching English where I can:

— Work weekday evenings, perhaps 3 hours per day/15 hours per week
— Teach young adults
— Focus on pronunciation, listening, and conversation skills
— Make approximately $900-$1000 per month

Note: I *think* that’s what I’d like to do, but I’m open to hearing why it’s a bad plan. If it’s possible, what is the appropriate TEFL certification to get? And what type of school needs people like that?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks much!

Dan

[Okie from Muskogee]

A good friend of mine who have semi-retired like yourself is actually living it up in vietnam with his vietnamese wife. He is currently teaching part-time only to keep himself occupied and making a bit of spending money.

As long as you have enough money in your pocket, open-mindedness, maturity/experience, and wits to deal with occasional hurtles crossing a few red tapes here and there, everything you've asked are certainly doable.

By law TEFL is required but most people here are working without TEFL cert., WP, etc. etc.... But I'd think it would be a good investment to get a TEFL cert. There are lots of outfits that offer that here so best to get here and shop around. Once in your TEFL course you can network with other people there. There are plenty of teaching jobs here to get your feet wet.

[RustyShackleford]

Everything you say sounds reasonable enough. My only suggestion would be to spend a couple hundred bucks on an Online TEFL cert because, while some smaller outfits are more than happy to hire someone fresh with just a BA, a certificate will open you up to higher pay, better language centers and, most importantly, make the visa a bit easier to process. (Anybody feel free to clarify.)

Teaching pronunciation shouldn't be a problem at a place like VUS, where the foreign teacher focuses on use while a separate Vietnamese teacher focuses on grammar and theory.

My only concern is that $1000/mo (or 22 million VND) is rather low outside of decent housing. However, it IS a livable wage, especially if you're not into partying and eating only at the expat joints.

[calidan]

[calidan]

[TRH]

[calidan]

[Okie from Muskogee]

When you get here don't tell anyone how much $$$ you have and/or how much your monthly budget is for this and that to anyone especially vietnamese because two grand a month is very substantial amount of monthly budget in vietnam. Some will be on you like leeches to suck blood out of you. Keep it discrete.

With your circumstance, you'll have no problems making a high life. You won't need any teaching certification. Just bring your original degree, maybe a criminal back ground check from FBI, and clean bill of health.

[TRH]

[calidan]

[RustyShackleford]

I'm pretty sure it was me who mentioned ITTT. I don't think it was The Greatest Place on earth, but it got me a decently paying, challenging (and stressful, but I'll save that for a follow-up to a previous post) college job. I just point to it because it's a legitimate course that gets you a legitimate job and there are so many fly-by-night money leeches talked about that I figure I should point to a course that I KNOW gets you in the door at a reasonable price and even some decent knowledge. So, yes, good enough, to answer your question.

When I say BA I just mean any bachelors. Technically, my degree is a BS as well.

You seem to be on the right track and thinking things with your head on straight so, frankly, I don't think you have much reason to be worried!

[Brunouno]

Your plan sounds good, but I would consider getting a CELTA certificate. 15 hours a week, while less than full time, isn't going to be a walk in the park. Your job will be made much easier if you have some idea of what to do in the classroom, and the CELTA will help prepare you for this. Even if you're planning to work only part time and not make a career out of teaching, I'm sure you still want to be respected in the classroom and have some idea of what to do. Some Vietnamese students are tiring to teach even for an experienced teacher. Don't make it harder for yourself than it has to be. CELTA pass rates are around 98 percent.

[ExpatLuke]

To be honest, I wouldn't bother with a CELTA unless you're going to be teaching for a long while. It's the most expensive certification and the most respected one world-wide, but it's not needed in Vietnam. The OP just wants to teach part-time to supplement his income. He can do that with any of the cheaper TESOL certs.

The CELTA is more for teachers who plan to do teaching as a career move. It's what's needed to get jobs at respectable, full-time positions.

[Okie from Muskogee]

[Brunouno]

Yes, it's not worth doing if you're not planning to teach for a long time. I can't quite understand though why someone wouldn't want to do it just because they're teaching part time. You're still doing the same job whether full time or part time, and 15 hours a week isn't far off a full time gig.