Job Discussion Forums

[tirthyatri]

I'm planning to go to Vietnam to start off teaching English. Currently I have my bachelors degree but no certification.

As a result, the TEFL guaranteed job sounds like a good option for a starter, since I can get my certification and move on immediately to a job. My initial impression is that if I were to go for certification and then start looking, that would mean that I would have to enter the country on a tourist visa, and when I had obtained my certification I would have to find a job and then leave the country to apply for a work visa. Am I correct in that assumption?

As an aside, I'd appreciate some opinions on who provides the best certification courses in Vietnam. I don't mind spending a little more money to get one that will have a good cachet, or that will provide the best after-certification assistance.

[Demons08]

Hi there

It's usual practice that a person intending to work as an English Teacher in Vn would enter the Country on a Tourist Visa and when they find a job the School takes care of the paperwork related to the change of status. You do not need to leave Vn.

There are any number of places in HCMC that offer an accredited TESOL Course. These courses usually run for up to a month. The important issues in my view with a TESOL Course are to ensure the Training provider is reputable and that there are ample prac opportunities.

The bigger Language Centres in HCMC are probably the best bet for a new person who wants to gain certification - you will see their advertisements on this site. Mostly they will give you a job as soon as your Course finishes.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck

Demons08 :twisted:

[tirthyatri]

Demons: Thanks for the info. My wife will be coming with me. She will not be going for certification or taking up any work in Vietnam.

I may be going beyond the limits of your knowledge, and possibly a bit off topic, but do you know if my wife will be able to apply for a different visa status when I start working? In many countries she would be able to, and it would be better if she didn't have to leave the country every three months just to get a new tourist visa.

[Demons08]

Hi again

I have been working in Vn for just on a year but I still consider myself a newbie.

I hear that it's quite easy to extend a Tourist Visa. Most Travel Agents in the Backpacker area in HCMC can help you for a relatively small fee and it's legit.

There is no need to leave the Country, although keep in mind that it's only $20 US to travel from HCMC to almost anywhere in Cambodia. If for some reason you need to do a Visa run - no big deal, but it won't be necessary.

Also, just to let you know that I did my TESOL Course with VATC in HCMC . The course was fine and VATC was an ok place to start work. I now know that there are much better places to work and what VATC pay per hour - around $12 US - is well below what you can secure elsewhere.

With quals and experience, a good teacher shouldn't accept anything less than $18 US per hour.

Cheers

Demons08