Job Discussion Forums

[emmachanley]

Howdy!

Looking into teaching in Vietnam with my partner and would greatly appreciate some advice from those who have done it/ are doing it! I have a Higher Diploma and MA in English but no TEFL qualification and basically no teaching experience. My partner has a degree but no TEFL qualification or experience. I guess my main concerns are:

Is it best to obtain a TEFL cert before going out or how valuable is it? Will you get a better salary with one? Does a Masters help at all or is it worthless as it isn't TEFL related?

Is it best to just arrive or try to find a job in advance?

Are 6 month contracts hard to find?

What kind of funds would you need to get set up in Vietnam and is it possible to save at all while you are there?

Have been to both HCMC and Hanoi and enjoyed both.....are there better prospects in one or the other or does anyone have experience of teaching in both?

Any advice or help gratefully received!

Cheers

Em

[apanve1]

Hey Em...

I am going to Vietnam myself soon, and we've decided HCMC is a better fit for us. Fodor's Exploring Vietnam has great info on both cities. I have a friend in HCMC who has been teaching for 6 years, and loves it there, but says its definitely for people who like longterm concrete jungle living.

He recommends getting a TEFL cert, but didn't actually get it himself until he had been teaching for 3 years. He said regardless, if you're white and speak English, finding a job is not hard.

When will you be leaving? I would love to meet other newbies once we get out there... go out for pho or something.