Job Discussion Forums

[kinjo]

anyone know of people teaching english recently, say the last year or two, in vietnam specifically saigon, HCMC, with no degree? being white or asian?

I'd like to know who actually requires a degree with 2-3 years experience to be hired there.

thanx

[lizs]

Kinjo,

I'm currently in HCMC and from what I'm told all foreigners have to have a degree and preferably a teaching cert to get a work visa. Apparently some of the Vietnamese schools hire graduates from Vietnamese unis and pay them very little. I have a student with a BA in English from one of the unis, she is about a lower intermediate student to give some idea of the standard. You could probably get work without a degree etc but I doubt you could do it legally.

If you would like to meet get in touch through this forum and we can arrange something. What do you think of Saigon???

Liz

[Rogue Trader]

The guts of it:

If you're white you'll get work without a degree or cert, but you'll be low on the pecking order. Expect US$10 or less, expect to be jobhunting for a while.

As for working legally, unless you get a salary position (and possibly even then) don't worry about it. Most teachers here are on renewable tourist visas and get paid cash under the table.

Do yourself and everyone else a favour, get a decent TEFL (ie. at least 120 hrs plus 10 hrs practice). You'll get a job easier, you'll get more money, and ideally you'll have an impression of how to teach. You'll get hired without experience and if you play your cards right you'll be doing as well as anyone else within 3 months (ie. $12-$15 an hour, 25+ hours per week).

To reiterate the horrible but honest-to-god truth: if you're not white you'll find it hard working here. Period. Attitudes are very narrow.

hope this helps,
RT

[kinjo]

hope this helps?? this pretty much answers it all from your point of view, its the BEST answer anyone has given me really. so it is very much appreciated.

so they are bias towards whites that is interesting to know.. thank you again.