Job Discussion Forums

[Tayne101]

I am in the middle of the 4-week TESOL course at TEFL International, in Saigon. I am finding this course to be an excellent and practical course so far, and I would very highly reccommend it to anyone who is considering on taking their TESOL in Vietnam. The standing of teaching seems pretty professioanal to me, and they are very helpful with helping you find a job, once the course is over.

It is pretty intense, don't expect it to be a 4-week holiday. There's a lot to take in. However, here is a lot of it is practise teaching and peer teaching, which so far has been a lot of fun. They focus on how to put together a lesson, handle a class, and all the things that you would need to know to be an effective teacher of English.

My class has only 5 students, from 18-26. None of us have degrees or have ever taught English before. But I have met some expats, who were in classes of 12 or so, where the majority where in their late twenties to thirties. So its pretty varied. There is a good feel about the place.

They can help you organise your accommodation if you want, by booking it for you in advance. I am staying at the Thanh Guesthouse (on Co Bac), which is 220 USD/month. I am finding it to be a great place. Very close to the backpacker quarter, too.

I was eating at the western-styled restaurants on De Tham street (in the middle of the backpacker quarter) for the first few nights, which is about $2 US for dinner. Theres tonnes of good restaurants and bars on that street with like burgers, milkshakes, pastas and so on, which is good if you need a break from Vietnamese food.

I mostly eat on the street with the locals now, which is generally less than a $1 US for a meal, like a plate of rice with beef or chicken or whatever. It tastes great, but you have to be careful. One of my classmates got Dehli Belly last night, and he is convinced it was from the street food. I ate it with him, and it didn't make me sick though. So just be wary.

Street coffees are also great, about 30c (5,000d) for and iced coffee with milk. But you really need to be careful with these places. They do sometimes drug the coffee. I got a spiked one yesterday, with meth or something. Not good.They are delicious though, haha. And available everywhere.

As for transport, the bus is by far the cheapest way to get around. Its 20c (3,000d) to anywhere in the city. Although not the most convenient way to get around. There is no timetable, the buses just follow their designated route, and one will usually come every 15 mintues. They go in a circuit, starting and finishing at the bus station . The No. 4 bus goes from the bus station on Tran Hung Dao (right near the Ben Thanh Market), straight past the VUS building (where the course is held). They are not too crowded either, I always get a seat. I walk to the bus station from my guesthouse, about a 10min walk. I get on the No. 4 on the way back, too, and get off where it terminates at the bus station. It is very very busy in the afternoons though, its like peak hour here I think. Motorbikes and people everywhere.

VUS is like a big chain of Engish schools here. The building that the TEFL course is in is owned and operated by them. You can work for them once you have completed the course if you want, they pretty much always have vacancies. Just from what I have observed in the building, they seem like a pretty good school to work for. They pay $14-$20 USD/hour, depending on your experience, qualifications and teaching demo. And they give insurance, organise your visas and work permit. You sign on for a 3-month contract initiall, and you can extend it to a year. If you complete a year, you get a bonus.

I'll do another update after the course is over. I still have to do my real practice teaching, in a high school. That comes in the last week of the course.

So all-in-all, a great place. Well worth it. Top marks.

[MrMrLuckyKhan]

[Tayne101]

Uhhhh whoops. Yeah, its per hour. My bad...

[mumtazz]

hi, what levels/ages will you be teaching when you finish the course?

[Tayne101]

Hmmmm, I'm still trying to decide. Most likely young learners, like 4-10.

[vibgyor1111]

I'll be taking the same course in April in Saigon, and I was wondering about the electrical outlets? Are they common outlets that I would see in a adapter kit, or should i try to find something when i get there? Kinda random I realizes, but thanks in advance.

[kattate]

Vibgyor - if you go to lonelyplanet.com and search Vietnam as a destination, it shows you a picture of the electrical plugs throughout the region.

Hope that helps

(I can't live without my hair straightener so found this info out for myself too!! )