Job Discussion Forums

[mrlg]

Hi guys,

I have a few questions some of which I'm sure already have been answered here at this forum. Nevertheless, here goes:

1. I am thinking of taking a TEFL course (online course) at http://www.teflonline.net
Are they for real or are they just out to empty my pocket?

2. I have a masters degree with a major in English and I've been teaching at a high school where I live for a couple of years now. Do I even need a TEFL?

3. I'm from a scandinavian country. I speak 100% fluent English with a very neutral accent. Most English speaking people I've met say my English is absolutely perfect.
Will it cause me problems that I'm not a NATIVE English speaker?

4. Based on my background, what can I expect to be paid over there in general?

5. Are there any jobs teaching kids in Vietnam? Kids meaning kids, not wild teenagers.

6. What about giving private lessons to people? What's the best way to go if one wants to get say 5-6 students a week? How much can I charge them, generally speaking? Will I have any problems with the government/police?

7. How much will a decent life cost me in Vietnam? I've been numerious times to Thailand but I guess Thailand is Thailand and Vietnam is Vietnam. With a deent life I mean a decent place to stay (not a hotel but an apartment where I can actually have a private life) eat out 3-4 times a week, enjoy a few good beers, catch a movie, buy some DVD's, smokes, rent a motorbike etc. 400 $ 500 $? 700$

8. Since the U.S dollar is dropping by the day and is considered quite a worthles currency in Europe at the moment I'm curious to know if Vietnam is like most other asian countries, that is $$$ is still considered to be almost like a god to them? If the price for whatever thing was 5$ a year ago is it 8$ now or are the prices pretty much left untouched in Vietnam?

9. How hard or easy is it opening up your very own bank account over there? How do most of you get paid? Cash, check, black money or directly to a bank account?

10. For me it's very easy getting a visa to Vietnam, but generally speaking is it easy to extend it?

11. What kind of documents do I need when applying for a job? Will they even bother with papers, I mean hand on heart you can buy a doctors degree in just about any city in asia for a few dollars and who the hell is gonna spend time calling your former employees? Or?
I'm asking because although I truly have a masters degree and I am working as a teacher rightn ow and have been for a couple of years all my letters of recommendation are written in my home language. It would be a pain in the ass making calls trying to get all papers translated before I come.

12. What's the people really like? All out to get my cash some say, others say they are very nice. Like the thai people or like the chinese?

Thanks!

mrlg

[sigmoid]

I've only been here about 5 months so I'm not really an expert, but here are some brief answers.