Job Discussion Forums

[utopia69]

Hello, have been doing a search of the forums and was hoping to get some advice and up to date information if possible.
I'm hoping to teach in Vietnam later this year. I have been teaching in International schools in Egypt for over a year and previously taught in Europe in private schools after completing a training course (not TEFL) and had ongoing observation and guidance.

I do have an online TEFL and over 2 years experience teaching children and adults (with references), but the downside, no degree as I started working straight out of school (with a successful career in advertising/marketing though!).

I'm female, with English passport, in my early 30's. Do I really have a chance of getting employed in Vietnam? Realise I won't be able to get a work permit but would love to experience the country for 6-12 months.
I read somewhere that schools will only accept in class TEFL certs - is that something that I will need to have to do, even with my online cert and experience? Are International schools a definite no, or do they sometimes accept people in my situation?

Is Cambodia a better choice for me?

Appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks!

[RustyShackleford]

Online TEFL is fine but lacking a degree will hurt your chances and likely reduce your paygrade.

Cambodia is the only realistic option at this point with your quals.

[skarper]

No degree means no work permit and limits you to lower tier schools, part time hours and a lot of general annoyance.

Being female and with what seems to be some useful experience does help though.

I think you would find work and be able to manage for 6-12 months. You won't save much and may even lose some money. It depends on how hard you work, how lucky you are and how much you spend on rent/fun etc.

I have no idea if Cambodia is a more favourable market.

[EFL4Life]

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[TRH]

[nomad soul]

[skarper]

Whether or not the OP worked in International schools in Egypt she will not be able to do so legally in Vietnam.

She will be limited to multiple part time gigs at the lower end of an already rather debased market.

Some people like this as it allows them to work as much or as little as they want while enjoying the lifestyle. Nothing wrong with that surely?

I think the basics of her situation are well covered. There are hundreds of people very like her who spend a few months in Vietnam 'teaching' before moving on to greener pastures. Just as long as she knows what she's letting herself in for.

[utopia69]

[utopia69]

[utopia69]

[skarper]

At the lower end schools references are probably irrelevant. Experience outside Vietnam is also less useful than you might hope.

The key is being a native speaker, young[ish] and female. If you look the part all the better.

Even having a TEFL is probably neither here nor there but it might give you more of an idea about what to do in class to keep the kids entertained.

It is possible to do a worthwhile job of teaching even in the lowest level of job. They will not make it easy for you though.

[nomad soul]

[skarper]

I think it's fairly clear the OP does not view TEFL as a career merely a sideline and a means to an end. If so then she has a good chance of finding a bit of work to subsidize her stay. I don't think she should expect a 'job' though. More a few hours here and there that may well add up to 15-20 hours at 15-20 USD an hour. Income of 200-400USD a week, less tax and maybe some extra 'deductions' plus the risk of an employer just not paying up one month. For this reason it's best to have 2-3 employers and not put all your eggs in one basket.

Not having a degree is a handicap but even folks with degrees often cannot secure work permits or a better deal so if it's only for 6-12 months it's moot.

[nomad soul]

For clarification, my previous comments were about TEFL in general and not specific to Vietnam.

[EFL4Life]

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