Job Discussion Forums

[Grace722]

Hello All,

I've noticed there have been prior discussions about the topic ILA vs. Apollo. However, most of them are at least a year dated and have discussed the CELTA course rather than teaching.

I was wondering if anyone had any recent opinions as to which school would be the better option to work at. I am new to Vietnam, so I have understood that they aren't necessarily the greatest pay, but are very good for people that are new to the ESL/expat world.

Thanks in advance!

[mark_in_saigon]

This assumes you can get on with either of them, which may not be realistic. I am guessing they reject more applicants than they hire, and most likely they do have a profile they try to stick with.

When we say "better school", that is a bit subjective. A few schools are clearly better with pay, attitudes, facilities, schedules and customers, but these are quite rare. It is my (perhaps minority) opinion that some of the lower quality schools can be a better experience in some situations. If the school does have the customer base, does pay adequately and just leaves a good teacher alone to do his work, then for some, that can be a good job. Schools that THINK (or pretend) that they know what they are doing can be the worst, as they meddle with (and degrade) your work and make the job less fulfilling. If the school can truly improve your output with their oversight, fine, but that is rare.

If you accept this viewpoint, then also consider that a larger organization may have progressive leadership in one area and less so in others. So some of the staff may be properly led and others may not, or perhaps some departments may be that way, maybe the western oversight is good but the VN ownership poisons the environment.

I have always thought this work is best for folks who do not need it, who can come over and take it or leave it. The work can be fun, the pay can be adequate or even good, but as disorganized and corrupt as everything is over here, we have to understand that our jobs are not some shining island of perfection in this sea of sewage. Takes a lot of hopping around and experience to know how to do this properly and to find an employer who works out for you, and you have to enjoy the experience of that too.

[ExpatLuke]

[mark_in_saigon]

[skarper]

Indeed. One person may gel perfectly with Apollo or ILA or both and another could jar. I think though they are both pretty badly run places they do seem to know who will fit in and who will not and hire accordingly.

It also depends on their level of need at the time you apply. There are no hard and fast rules but there is a general trend that seems to recur.

I would give ILA the edge but couldn't really say why. Just a feeling.

[Tigerstyleone]

Grace,
Its not hard to get hired by ILA especially if you pay for the CELTA then you'll be guaranteed a part time job with them teaching evenings and weekends with your days free to enjoy the paradise Vietnam has to offer.

good luck.

[I'm With Stupid]

[Grace722]

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate your input.

[VietCanada]

Why do threads titled 'ILA vs Apollo' show up on this board so often? I smell a rat. Both schools and a couple other recent entries just try to make money off people wanting to teach here. I say they are both scams that make more money from wealthy westerners than they could ever hope to make from VN citizens. This kind of stealth advertising on Dave's should be banned.

[cb400]

Apollo is bottom of the barrel and ILA is middle of the barrel.

[I'm With Stupid]

Apollo is far from the bottom of the barrel. They employ people legally and always pay on time and in full, which if people on this site are to be believed, is something of a rarity. A friend of mine once worked at a school that didn't even have a photocopier.

[VietCanada]

[deadlift]

[tonyjones01]

[Dave Remenda]