Job Discussion Forums

[phobic 888]

Just basically asking if anyone knows any schools in Hanoi that they would recommend staying away from? Don"t forget to the include the reason why please.

[mach114]

Goto www.saigonesl.com there is some information there in the Hanoi Forum under blacklisted schools.

[phobic 888]

Thanks mach114 but there site always seems to be a little out of date. The last blacklisted school was posted in August 2008. Hopefully this means that there are not any "new" schools to be worried about.

[inky]

Phobic, you might be better off asking which schools to contact initially in your job search, rather than which ones to avoid. The 'better option' schools in Hanoi include Apollo, ILA, Language Link and CleverLearn. For each, you can find disgruntled former teachers with personal axes to grind, so be careful about individual reports. If you visit these schools you'll gain a sense of what you should expect, so that if you decide to check a school in the 'second tier' (London School, for example), you'll have a good basis for comparing. Another indicator is that a better school will request the three documents required for the Education Ministry (CELTA, university degree, clean police check). If you apply at a school and they don't mention these documents, then I would suggest that you walk away, because it is the tip of the unprofessional iceberg if they don't (it is possible to begin working part-time without these, but a school should request them).

[phobic 888]

thanks inky. however you see my major problem is that I do not have a university degree. I understand that that may limit my chances of landing a job at a better school, but that doesn't mean I won't try anyway. I mean whats the worst that could happen.......they say no.

[inky]

Well, that's a separate issue. There are ways around it, especially if you have some experience that can be listed in lieu of a degree. It doesn't change what I suggested, if you approach a school and they never mention these requirements then that's a really bad sign. If a school attempts to help you work out alternatives, that's different. Best of luck.

[phobic 888]

Thanks again inky