Job Discussion Forums

tu78 · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 3

Hello everyone,

I want to relocate to Vietnam but I'm not a native English speaker so teaching English is out of the job options. I know that this board is to discuss about English teaching opportunities in Vietnam but I'm hoping that someone could give me some insights about any non-English teaching job in Vietnam? I have background in computer sciences & mathematics. Thanks everyone!

nkminh · Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 27 Location: HCM City

I'm in the same boat here. Though there's always positions for someone with vietnamese language, but the rates might be much lower (they can easily get a local for that). I've been encouraged to just turn up with my Resume to some of them and try my luck. Hardly an incentive to quit my relatively well paid and comfy job in Aust now. But good luck.

tu78 · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 3

Thanks, nkminh. Good luck to you too.

Rogue Trader · Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 7

The business community in HCMC is very tight-knit, but very friendly. If you want a good non-TEFL job forget walking in off the street. Come here, do some research on where the business functions are held (there's one somewhere every friday night, and often during the week as well).

Get a business card made, dress decently, get out there and network. If you've got the people skills, the work is there.

Helps a lot of you can get someone to introduce you around before you arrive (I was lucky that way), but you can crack in alone if you're confident and determined.

best of luck,

RT

kludde · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Stockholm

I was under the impression that the "native speaker" status were a sine qua non for teaching ESL in Latin America, but not necessarily so in SEA including Vietnam. Pls correct me if I am wrong on this important item

OzBurn · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 199

I have only been here a few days, but I can tell you that native speaker status must not be essential because the vast majority of the Vietnamese that I have met are being and have been taught only by Vietnamese! And I'd have to say that charming as they mostly are, their progress seems to be minimal. E.g., met a girl today who though she had six years of English under her belt and goes to class three times a week, had a devil of a time with terms such as "how many" and "how much." Also asked me the following question: "Are you a girldfriend?" -- and asked that question the same way several times.

Just to clarify, I'm a man.

As to wages for non-native speakers, I have nothing to contribute as of yet, although I can say that I met a Dutchman last night who could easily have passed himself off as a native speaker...

tu78 · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 3

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for the info! I actually did some researches on the internet about teaching English as non-native spearkers in Vietnam. It was mentioned in some places that it's easier for non-asian who are not native English speakers to get these English teaching jobs so I look into other options... Thanks everyone for your advices!