Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - Ready to run from Korea! Advice on Viet would be appreciated

Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!

Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!

Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"

FAQ

Memberlist

Usergroups

Profile

Ready to run from Korea! Advice on Viet would be appreciated
Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3 Next

This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.

Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Vietnam

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author

Message

H5N1

Joined: 15 Feb 2005
Posts: 80

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Unis

Hatcher wrote:

I have never worked in Vietnam but I thought the academies pay about 1200-1400$ a month while the unis pay about 2000$

You are correct about the academies (private language centers). Remember that these center pay you by the hour. It's an hourly wage, not paying X amount per month (salary).

Unis pay $2,000?

Sometimes, but rarely. Most Uni that I know of either hire part-time and pay an hourly rate, but in some cases that sign teachers to contracts. You pay taxes in both instances.

Quote:

and if you teach a subject like Business at a uni you can make about 3000$ a month. Can anyone confirm this?

Not at a Uni. No.

If someone has an MBA, and proven qualifications and prove these qualifications are authentic, they work at a place such as RMIT, for example.

Back to universities: in my experience and others, university work is not very good work. Facilities are often sub-standard. Using a microphone in a large concrete room with a DVD/radio to emit the sound of your voice. No air-conditioning, but ceiling fans instead. Grading not realistic, and you do what you are told.

If you are looking for university teaching go to Korea. This means you have an MA, and can be persistent about getting your foot into the door.

inhanoi

Joined: 22 Oct 2011
Posts: 165

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject:

Swaziland? you've got to be kidding. I'm sipping a Coppola Zinfandel right now at a very pleasant wine bar. In Hanoi. Lovely evening. Bright tomorrow. Authorized Apple reseller around the corner. Swaziland?

Spinoza

Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 194
Location: Saudi Arabia

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: Ready to run from Korea! Advice on Viet would be appreci

ty12s wrote:

I have been in Korea for one year now, and am more than ready to move on.

You've had enough of Korea after only a year and you want to go to...Vietnam of all places? That's not gonna end well.

1st Sgt Welsh

Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:26 pm Post subject:

Spinoza wrote:

kurtz wrote:

You're generally not treated as a pedophile like in Kimchiland, I should know, I did some "time" in that place and as long as you dress well, the Viets don't seem to look at you like you're a criminal and sex offender.

That's as maybe. But Vietnam is a dump (lower per capita GDP than Swaziland and Angola), whereas Korea, what ever one may think of it, is a first world country.

Unless the OP likes living in very poor countries (which I would understand, as many people do enjoy that), I would very strongly reconsider.

You couldn't pay me enough to live in Vietnam again, personally.

Hmmmm......so Vietnam's a dump? If that's your opinion Spinoza then, of course, you are entitled to it. I actually think many parts of this country are absolutely beautiful and, especially in the case of the extreme north, breathtakingly so. In regards to Vietnam being a poor country - of course it is. However, it's gradually getting better and, given the history, it's hardly surprising that Vietnam is economically undeveloped.

I couldn't help but notice Spinoza that you are posting from developed Saudi Arabia. I'm not sure what the Kingdom's exact annual GDP is, but I'm sure it's awesome! After all, they have 'black gold' literally buried under their feet. [Not that the Saudi's can actually be arsed to dig the oil out themselves - they just hire foreigners to do that for them Rolling Eyes

].

In short, I doubt there has ever been a country in history that has received a greater [and arguably more undeserved] economic 'leg-up' than Saudi Arabia has. And, aside from building monstrous shopping malls etc, what have they done with it? Vietnam may be dysfunctional in a lot of ways but Saudi Arabia, despite its wealth, seems to me to be a complete and utter basket-case! At least in Vietnam, I can have a beer whenever I want, I have some religious freedom, I know my gay friends are not going to be publicly executed tomorrow and women are allowed to drive, show-off their figures and hair and walk down the street without a male escort Evil or Very Mad

.

Spinoza, if you prefer Saudi Arabia over Vietnam then that's great. I've never been to Saudi, but I know a lot of people who have worked there and I've read a fair bit about it. By the way, I'm also sorry if you had some bad experiences here and I mean that sincerely. But, for me, I would have to be offered an absolutely mouth-watering package before I'd even consider moving to the Kingdom. First and foremost, such a package would naturally have to include extremely generous paid vacations so I could the hell out of the country at every opportunity Wink

. Indeed, all in all, if it's a choice between First World Saudi Arabia and Third World Vietnam, give me the developing world any day Cool

TRH

Joined: 27 Oct 2011
Posts: 340
Location: Hawaii

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:53 pm Post subject:

1st Sgt Welsh wrote:

8balldeluxe wrote:

There are far more Scottish who tend to act bawdy and inappropriately rude and ruin it for all other white people however.

Say what? The Scots I've met here have been awesome people. Indeed, as a generalization, I really like the Scottish. The Irish are probably my favorite though Wink

What about Great Britain's fourth ethnic group, the Welsh Question

1st Sgt Welsh

Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 7:01 pm Post subject:

TRH wrote:

1st Sgt Welsh wrote:

8balldeluxe wrote:

There are far more Scottish who tend to act bawdy and inappropriately rude and ruin it for all other white people however.

Say what? The Scots I've met here have been awesome people. Indeed, as a generalization, I really like the Scottish. The Irish are probably my favorite though Wink

What about Great Britain's fourth ethnic group, the Welsh Question

They're OK, I guess Wink

.

As a side-note I just noticed that my quote in the above post does not correspond with Spinoza's post anymore. S/he must have altered his/her post prior to me hitting 'Submit'. Anyway what I've said is pretty redundant now so if my above post is removed then that's cool and sorry for any confusion.

The Mad Hatter

Joined: 16 May 2010
Posts: 165

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:26 pm Post subject:

inhanoi wrote:

Swaziland? you've got to be kidding. I'm sipping a Coppola Zinfandel right now at a very pleasant wine bar. In Hanoi. Lovely evening. Bright tomorrow. Authorized Apple reseller around the corner. Swaziland?

Spinoza is in Saudi Arabia.

I think that says it all. Hell on earth, and the word of anyone who has sold their soul to work there has got to be treated lightly

Spinoza

Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 194
Location: Saudi Arabia

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:20 am Post subject:

inhanoi wrote:

Swaziland?

Yep.

What a dump.

Just look at the mouthwatering destinations that are above Vietnam in that list.

Spinoza

Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 194
Location: Saudi Arabia

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 6:59 am Post subject:

I honestly can't believe that I'm the only person who is discouraging the OP - who's sick of Korea, a highly developed country, after just one year - from going to Vietnam. Of course, the OP should do what ever he thinks is best and if he wants to give Vietdump a try, good luck to him, but I won't be falling out of my chair in surprise if he hates it, because everything that is bad about Korea (noise, pollution, filth, overcrowding, questionable cuisine) is ten times worse in Vietdump.

1st Sgt Welsh

Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 7:24 am Post subject:

Spinoza wrote:

inhanoi wrote:

Swaziland?

Yep.

What a dump.

Just look at the mouthwatering destinations that are above Vietnam in that list.

Considering that I'm a TEFLer and not an economist or statistician employed by the UN etc, I'm not really that bothered by that wikipedia list. Indeed, I can't really see why you would be either and to cite it as a reason why teachers shouldn't come to Vietnam is, IMHO, absolute nonsense!

The fact that Vietnam is a developing country is what makes its cost of living so cheap and why teachers can live here so comfortably. I notice in the wikipedia list that Germany came in at an impressive seventeenth. Good for them! However, I've spoken to some people who have taught there and, given the high cost of living and pitiful wages paid to TEFLers in Germany, it seems that a lot of teachers over there have lifestyles comparable to university students.

Besides, you can pretty much get whatever you want in this "dump" and our wages are such that most of us don't need to 'penny-pinch'. Occasionally I've had a few things shipped by Amazon, but I cannot really think of a single thing that I'd really like to buy that I can't get in Vietnam. So if I would care to purchase a crisp, refreshing, delicious beer for under a dollar in just about any convenience store in Saigon, hey, no problem. Ditto if I want to buy a magazine which has photos where you can actually see a woman's bare shoulders. Can't do any of that in Saudi Arabia, but at least you've got that whole GDP thing working for ya Wink

Spinoza

Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 194
Location: Saudi Arabia

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 7:45 am Post subject:

Quote:

The fact that Vietnam is a developing country is what makes its cost of living so cheap and why teachers can live here so comfortably

Property/rent are extremely expensive in HN/HCMC even by developed world standards, let alone for a country that's poorer than Swaziland. My eyes popped out when I saw the price of renting an apartment. There you go again - giving a falsely rosy view of Vietdump. The OP should thank his lucky stars that I'm here to give a bit of much-needed balance.

Quote:

However, I've spoken to some people who have taught there and, given the high cost of living and pitiful wages paid for TEFLers in Germany, it seems that teachers over there have lifestyles comparable to university students.

I'd love to live in Germany. I love the place. If I had a low-paying job, I could just dip into my savings. Of course, had I worked in a feeble language mill in Vietdump for some time, I'd have little if any savings to speak of.

Quote:

So if I would care to purchase a crisp, refreshing, delicious beer for under a dollar in just about any convenience store in Saigon, hey, no problem.

Ah, yes. The good old bia hoi. Brings back memories (...of sitting on small plastic chairs and drinking 1% beer).

That's the second time you've mentioned beer, by the way. Believe it or not, some people can actually go five minutes without drinking.

1st Sgt Welsh

Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 8:46 am Post subject:

Spinoza wrote:

Quote:

The fact that Vietnam is a developing country is what makes its cost of living so cheap and why teachers can live here so comfortably

I'm sure ty12s will be posting here soon to thank you for providing "much-needed balance" and for offsetting the notoriously "rosy view" provided by members of Dave's Vietnam forum Rolling Eyes

. In regards to renting an apartment, I think the prices here, for what you get, are very reasonable. I've rented spacious, fully-furnished, serviced apartments in both Hanoi and Saigon for $450 a month and under. There are also cheaper options out there. If you are earning an entry-level wage here, you can pretty much cover your day's accommodation by teaching for one hour and you don't even have to scrimp on where you live. Seems more than fair to me, but if you disagree, no problem.

Spinoza wrote:

I would love to live in Germany too Smile

. Actually there are a lot of places I'd love to live and work, especially in Europe and South America, but the wages over there just don't cut it Crying or Very sad

. It's interesting that you mentioned having to dip into your savings for working in Germany (despite the country having a high GDP) and, if that's what you want to do, then go for it! But I'd prefer to save money where I work and just visit different places on holidays. Each to their own. In regards to not being able to save money working at a "feeble language mill in Vietdump", that's simply not true and this issue has been covered on this forum ad nauseum before. Generally speaking, for saving money as a TEFLer, Vietnam is the best option in South East Asia.

Spinoza wrote:

In Vietnam, you can purchase alcohol at a bia hoi if you wish, or a supermarket, or a convenience store, or a bar, or a restaurant, or a nightclub. Hell, you can even take it to parties. The important thing is, unlike the fanatically religious basket-case of a country in which you live, you actually have the freedom to do it and, believe it or not, I'm speaking as someone who can "actually go five minutes without drinking". It's an issue of personal freedom and the fact that Saudi Arabia can't compete in the 'freedom stakes' with a Third World Marxist dictatorship pretty much says it all. But hey, I guess those demanding Saudi women should just be content to wait around "five minutes", (or all day, as the case may be), for their husbands, fathers or brothers to get home so they can actually walk outside Rolling Eyes

BenE

Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 321

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 8:55 am Post subject:

Yes you are absolutely right about Vietnam it's a horrible place. I suggest everyone goes to Germany to teach TEFL instead. Looking at the GDP per capita is such a great way to choose a place to teach in. If I look at it I can see Belarus is up there in the at 62 so that must mean that it's also a much better place to go and teach in. Strange how my experiences don't reflect these simple guidelines.... I'll think of you tonight when I'm having a long island ice tea for $3 or maybe when I'm travelling through the lush green mountains 1 hr from Hanoi. I'm sure the magic kingdom is a wonderful place though.

lou_la

Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Posts: 140
Location: Bristol

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:39 am Post subject:

Spinoza wrote:

Quote:

The fact that Vietnam is a developing country is what makes its cost of living so cheap and why teachers can live here so comfortably

As Sarge has pointed out, rent is not expensive here by any means. Of course you can pay a ridiculous amount if you want to, but I don't know anyone who does. My current apartment is big, fully (and nicely) furnished with a balcony overlooking a leafy garden and in a quiet area 20 minutes stroll from my work, all for $450 a month, with reasonable utilities. Pretty good deal I think. In comparison, my flat in the UK earlier this year cost about $1000 a month, was completely unfurnished, the bills were crazy and I had to go an hour on the train to get to work. I know which I prefer.

As a whole, maybe Vietnam's GDP is worse than Swaziland, but here in Saigon you'd never think so. Of course there is poverty, but there are also plenty of people flashing their wealth too. As teachers, we are very unlikely to live in a very poor areas (as horrible as that sounds), and wages can be very good. As has been pointed out, quality of life here can be much higher than in 'rich' countries. I earn more here than I would teaching in a secondary school in the UK, and my outgoings are far lower. I can actually enjoy my life here - it was quite difficult to at times in the UK.

I think the advice of those who live and work here is probably more helpful for the OP than unconstructive comments from afar about how much of a 'dump' Vietnam is. I'm not saying Vietnam is a paradise (it most definitely is not!), but most teachers have an enjoyable life here. If the OP wants some balance, he could check out the thread about what people can't get used to here - although there are many good things on that thread too.

kurtz

Joined: 12 Mar 2008
Posts: 518
Location: Phaic Tan

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:28 am Post subject:

Spinoza wrote:

I honestly can't believe that I'm the only person who is discouraging the OP - who's sick of Korea, a highly developed country, after just one year - from going to Vietnam. Of course, the OP should do what ever he thinks is best and if he wants to give Vietdump a try, good luck to him, but I won't be falling out of my chair in surprise if he hates it, because everything that is bad about Korea (noise, pollution, filth, overcrowding, questionable cuisine) is ten times worse in Vietdump.

Vietnam isn't for everyone, I suggest to taking a holiday here and getting a feel for the place before signing any contracts. I think that's better advice than making decisions based on GDP. Looks like I should go to Qatar then.

There's a Korean branch on Dave's to read on life in Korea, so I'd rather not go into life in that country. What I will say is when I worked there, people seemed to talk about how much longer they had to go, rather than how long they'd lived there.

Vietnam can be chaotic, noisy, stressful but there's a little more to it than sitting on small red plastic stools drinking bia hoi, go read some history and experience the beautiful landscape. Students are pretty good too. If you'd rather trade that for drinking moonshine(soju) in a tent eating dried squid or visiting Korea's jewel, ho hum Jeju island, go knock yourself out. Students are pretty terrible too.

Display posts from previous:

	Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Vietnam	All times are GMT Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3 Next
Page 2 of 3

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Teaching Jobs in China