Job Discussion Forums

malamono · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on any particular school where they've had a positive experience teaching. I am planning on being in Saigon this January/Feb and wanted to hear honest opinions about schools. Kinda nervous and would like a little steering in the right direction. Have my CELTA and BA and an open mind.

Thanks so much in advance! Very Happy

ajc19810 · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 214

I can give you my opinions but you should know that schools I like may not necessarily be suitable for yourself. Vietnamese Australian School, SEAMO, AUSP, ACET, Asia Pacific College, RMIT.

Schools that I would not work for VUS, VATC, ILA, IWEP. These schools may be suitable for people fresh of the boat, but the crap that you must put up with gets too much.

Let me say that a school is a personal choice. I am a firm believer of never signing anything until you have worked at a school for a trial period. You can't tell anything from the exterior of a school or the website it posts. You can only know when you have worked there. I have worked in some beautiful schools where the conditions and people are dodgy and sly. I have also worked in some places that are very low key and they have given me the best teaching experiences I have had due to wonderful staff, a reasonable wage and quality resources.

Nothing to be nervous about, plenty of work available just be careful of arriving in and around Tet.

malamono · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Santa Barbara, CA

thanks so much for the info. do you think it would be wiser to get jobs upon landing in HCMC or having something lined up?

ajc19810 · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 214

It is difficult for many people to believe finding a job is that easy in Saigon. Some people wait a week while others wait a day. As it is difficult to believe, people worry about coming to Saigon without work and sign contracts at schools that they know nothing about and get stuck there for a year.

I recommend coming here and looking around first. Remember Tet is in January and things do tend to slow down.

People worry about not having degrees, tefl certificates, finding work, visas and work permits, but the fact of the matter is you can have no experience, no qualifications, no work permit and a tourist visa and you will have no problem finding work or holding on to a job which will pay well enough to save some cash.

I have never been to a country that is so loose with its regulations. It reminds when I was 15 and I got my first job at Hungry Jacks in OZ. I had to have 3 interviews, go through a training course and be put on a 3 month probationary period all just to flip burgers. A far cry from the recruitment process here in Vietnam.

Where are you from?
Australia.
You're hired.

deessell2 · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 132 Location: Under the sun

ajc19810 · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 214

yeah man, you can ask. I have a both a degree and a TEFL certificate. I have lived here for more than 4 years and I can also speak Vietnamese. I have a small (very small) company here and I am manager of a school.

My reply on this board was an honest one and one that was needed considering how many people keep asking the same questions regarding degrees, tefl certificates, Visas and WP. If i am wrong with my comments then correct me, but most people in Vietnam would know what I said to be true and that is there are so many schools that will hire people with none of the 'required' certification as long as your nationality meets the requirements.

On another note I am also a believer that you shouldn't always need a degree to teach English and especially not a smoke and mirrors TEFL certificate. Unlike many others who get all crazed about backpackers teaching I look at the otherside of it and how they are a neccessity to the industry especially considering the demand for English and the shortage of teachers.

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

malamono · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Yeah I actually do want to hear whatever anyone thinks about how easy it is to find a job in Vietnam and i do appreciate all comments. even if someone disagrees. I don't think you are doing a disservice to me or your students if this is honestly what your experience has been.

So, thanks!

Texas_blu · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 108 Location: HCMC, VN

Maybe this'll help

http://saigonesl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=130&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

There's hundreds of opinions about what's good and what's not.

anguyen · Joined: 15 Nov 2008 Posts: 15

Is it really true that you don't need a degree or TEFL certificate to get a job teaching English? My husband is coming with me when we move to Vietnam. He's Vietnamese but grew up in America and has lived here for 20 years. He also speaks Vietnamese and could answer the questions of beginning students in their own tongue. But, I thought that because he has neither a Bachelor's degree or TEFL certification he would be ineligable for hire. Are you saying that's not true and he could get a job teaching?