Job Discussion Forums

[hotinsaigon]

Hi all,

I am on the ground in HCMC looking for jobs in test prep like the SAT (American university admissions test). I think this will pay better than EFL jobs. Especially since I have pretty much no experience teaching post cert. Here are my stats:

B.S. U of Washington Biochem
CELTA
5 months teaching adults post cert in USA
2 years teaching SAT and MCAT with Kaplan pre-cert

So far I've heard of Summit in Ha Noi and Summa in Saigon. Any others?

I am also thinking of going the ghetto international school route and applying for a science teacher position. Some international schools have teachers without a teaching credential. So I figure I might have a shot at these 2nd/3rd tier schools. Seems like a 2nd tier international school has better job advancement than a job at ILA/VUS. What do you guys think?

I did have an interview with ILA yesterday and it sounded like I could get it. But opportunities to advance would be to work their pay scales, go into management, get a job at a higher tier school ala BC/RMIT/ACET, get a DELTA/Masters.

[I'm With Stupid]

What advancement is available at an international school if you don't have a teaching certificate?

[hotinsaigon]

I guess I was thinking of getting a teaching credential while at an international school. Like some sort of online program or part time program in HCMC. I am thinking there will be more personal motivation and management support in getting a credential once I've tasted teaching at a primary/secondary school.

When I said better job advancement at international schools vs. language centers, I wanted to compare the earning power and career opportunities of a teaching credential vs. masters in TEFL/DELTA vs. management in a language center. To me, it seems a teaching credential qualifies you for international school and a language center.

[ExpatLuke]

You won't get a job teaching at a real international school without a teaching degree. You might get a job at a school that has the word "international" in it's name, but the standards, pay, benefits, etc won't be nearly the same.

[hotinsaigon]

Does anyone know what the pay is like at these schools with the word "international" in its name? I know it is nothing like the top tier legitimate international schools (ISHCMC, BIS, AIS in Saigon for example). But I am hoping it is more than a language center (e.g. more than $19.50/hr).

[ExpatLuke]

Some of the Vietnamese run "international" schools do pay more. There's one in Dana which pays $25 per hour which is substantially more than mills usually pay in the central region. But you have to be aware that these schools are essentially for very privileged and wealthy students. Their parents pay for their grades and have the school officials wrapped around their fingers. There is often no way to punish bad behavior. And the students do what they want. Then at the end of the year when they fail their exams there's hell to pay because the parents paid so much to get their kid in the class with a foreign teacher and he can't speak a single English sentence. Often times the teacher gets blamed.

[I'm With Stupid]

I know a couple of people who moved from ILA to an "international school" and it wasn't that much different tbh. I think it was a bit more money but it was a full-time deal, where you're expected to be in school the whole time. The only reason they did it was because they wanted the more sociable hours.

[hotinsaigon]

Great! Thanks for the responses. It sounds like these "international schools" do pay more and have better hours, but that's balanced out by more time at the school, more extra work, and more pandering to the student.

I still am interested in at least fielding an interview or offer for a school.... But after looking around, it doesn't look like too many of these schools have open positions right now.... They start in August, so I think they are all filled.

I'll stick to ILA for now....