Job Discussion Forums

feemtwo · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 8

Hi All,

This board has really helped me research living and teaching English in Vietnam. I'm hoping that I can get some more answers, this time about pay rates.

I am a native speaker from America, I have a bachelor's degree in business, and I have a CELTA with a pass A grade. However, I have NO EFL teaching experience - only 6 months of volunteer literacy tutoring to a woman who already spoke English but was illiterate. (Side note: I do have over 5 years of business experience in corporate America - maybe that carries some weight if I want to teach business English?) What can I reasonably expect to be paid per hour in Hanoi if I start in early July?

I have seen anywhere from $12 - $21 per hour quoted on this board, but I assume those amounts are heavily influenced by experience level. The problem is, if I sign a year-long contract, I'm more or less locked in to a certain rate, but after 6 months of that contract I will have (possibly?) enough experience to go find a better rate...

Anyway, if some of you could give your opinion that would be very helpful. Thanks!

Waldorf Salad · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 56 Location: Saigon, Vietnam

Why would you sign a contract?

feemtwo · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 8

Hi Bart - I would sign a contract to take advantage of certain benefits, like airfare reimbursement, medical insurance allowance, end-of-contract bonus and assistance with obtaining a work permit. It makes me feel uneasy to work without a contract, where I can be fired at will by my employer and have no recourse if they decide to start playing games (delaying paydays, etc).

In the event that both 6-month and 1-year contracts are offered, I could sign a 6-month but then I would have to give up some of the above-mentioned benefits.

Waldorf Salad · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 56 Location: Saigon, Vietnam

I've been here less than 2 months and I'm certainly not a Vietnam expert, but I've been in this business for ten years and I've noticed that it's basically the same crap everywhere in Asia. Employers fire you at will and play games whether you've signed a contract or not.
If you work part-time you may not have the benefits, but you may be able to make more money to compensate for that. I really don't think that it would make much difference.

Tanker · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 72

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

travelgoddess · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject:

To answer your question...

1. Bachelors Degree
2. Native speaker
3. CELTA

Dont accept less than $15-16 per hour. Just dont. there is such a need for teachers right now (BUSY summer season) and most of the year (except around Tet) that you would be seriously selling yourself short, esp if locking in a low pay rate with a long term contract.

Feel free to PM me with any q's, have been here for awhile and not leaving til March 09 I think.

Steph