Job Discussion Forums

surreycouple · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 40

Dear All

I am planning on taking my CELTA with ILA at the end of August. The other half and myself are moving to D7 end of July.... She is a Primary Teacher at Renaissance International School.

Before laying down close to a grand and starting a new career, I was wandering if it is possible to spend a few days observing a few ESL classes whilst in HCMC to ensure it is definately what i want to do.

Can anyone advise if this is possible and perhaps point me in the right direction.

On another note, does anyone know what its like to live in Phu My Hung and also how much a scooter would be to hire monthly?

I am 25 years old, from London, UK and well educated.

Thanks in advance

Ed
[email protected]

Teejay · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 59

Hi Ed,

Can't answer all of your concerns but I'll give my opinion about living in PMH.

I think the place is clean, less polluted, and less noisy. The downside-it's more expensive in terms of house rent, food, and etc.

Scooter, or XE OM (that's how they call that here) can be rented monthly. Saw a lot of XE OM for rent around Pham Ngu Lao. Am not so sure with how much, but it should be less than 100usd a month.

kh1311 · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 16

Scooter would be a motorbike that is rented and driven by you, xe om is the Vietnamese term for a motorbike taxi where you ride while someone else drives.

Phinaes Gage · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 39

Ed,
So first of all, if you are doing a CELTA you will be observing some teachers during your course. I'm not sure if it is possible to observe them before your course, but I would ask ILA if that is where you are doing your CELTA.

I agree with Teej, Phu My Hung is definitely nice, albeit a pricier place to live. It is a little strange being there, it doesn't really feel like HCMC at all. The streets are very wide, there are lots of cars, and traffic lights.

For a scooter, BTW xe om is a motorbike taxi not a motorbike, as Teej said you can rent them in the Pham Ngu Lao area. Most people I know who rent do so for about $50 USD a month. Obviously it depends on how long you want to rent for, but I would say $50 a month is about right.

Hope that helps you out,
PG

Teejay · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 59

correction accepted Wink

thanks guyz!

surreycouple · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 40

Thanks guys!

I will drop ILA an email and see if its possible, just wary about laying down �1k without knowing if teaching will be for me. Thanks for the info re: PMH and the scooters.

Not long to go now!

teacherviet · Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 18

I suggest you volunteer to teach English in one of the "cowboy" schools or a charity in HCMC. I believe it would give you a better indication if EFL teaching is for you rather than observing another teacher. There are numerous schools in HCMC who would love to have a free teacher for a few lessons. I also suggest observing at a reputable school such as ILA because the teaching methodology, books etc is quite different.

surreycouple · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 40

teacherviet - Have you a couple of examples of these "Cowboy" schools please, i think that would be a good idea.... Thanks in advance

legaleagle · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 59 Location: HCMC

Without meaning to be an a-hole, but rather being merely curious, I wonder how a 25-year old male that is "well-educated" could be on the "I don't actually need or care about a career" track? How is it that you are content to just tag along with the working spouse and hope something pops up? Pretty soon you'll be 40 mate! What about if you have a couple of kids and they ask what daddy does all day?

Ramen · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 74

Maybe he's filty rich already (possibly one of the royalty in the UK). He may be looking for a new hobby. Razz

Danaa · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 40

surreycouple · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 40

Cheers for the replys guys...

I should have been clearer, we are moving to HCMC for 2 years but would like to stay in Asia for approx 4-5 years. I am looking for what i see will be a career for this time. We are both young and want to see a bit of the world and experience different cultures before we settle down and have kids in 5 years. I have been working in Insurance in Canary Wharf for the last 7 years and need a change.

Money is not a motivator so benefits are not what i am looking for as I have a rental business in Spain that pays me a decent salary but it would be nice to have something constructive to do during my time in HCMC.

I will need to be spending 10 hrs a week dealing with Spain so looking for a "job" to keep me occupied for the remaining 20 or so hours. I think teaching English is an ideal path to take for those 5 years and will certainly give me life experiences I wont forget.