Job Discussion Forums

[akmassager]

Ok, this is the situation in a nutshell:
BA from Canadian uni, from US, native speaker, 45 yo, male.
I have been researching ESL teaching in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. I have decided on Vietnam for the lifestyle and pay. (If I didn't have debts, I'd head to China for the lifestyle)
This is the thing:
1. Will I be able to save in VN? From what I've read it is certainly possible with a) the salaries they are giving and b) the shortage of teachers.
2. Will getting a toefl (even online) make a diff? I'm willing to take an ILA celta or toefl class if it's really going to up my income and open more doors.
A little more background: I have taught ESL in Argentina (9 months) and Spanish in the USA (1.5 years) I wouldn't mind making TOEFL a career. (I need to do something other than massage anyways...) I have applied for grad school here, but.... I don't have the money. I have some cash, but also credit card debt (around $3k) and car loan ($5.7k). Was hoping to pay this down in VN, or at least start there, get toefl/celta, and if necessary hop to Korea or Japan for next teaching assignment, but VN lifestyle (cheap massage, acupuncture, more laidback) appeals to me more.

Thanks in advance,
akmassager

[inky]

This is the answer in a nutshell: yes.

If you are careful with your recreational expenses and you work full-time (at least 80 contact hours per month, not including preparation), you should be able to save hundreds of dollars every month. You really should get a CELTA or equivalent certification.

You don't mention a city, and the salaries are similar, but you should keep in mind that it might be easier to save in Hanoi than in HCMC (the bars close earlier in Hanoi and it is generally a more conservative city).

[mach114]

CELTA will open more doors than TEFL online or TOEFL. It is more widely accepted by schools in Vietnam. I really don't think the training is that much different, but CELTA has the mandatory observed teaching hours and a grade at the end of the course, which is attached to your certificate. For example my certificate says I have a B grade. You can pass CELTA with an A, B or C, but getting an A is really what you want. Schools will see you as an asset to acquire if you have an A on the CELTA. It is hard to get though, typically they only give an A to 5% of the candidates. SO..... take the CELTA and buckle down try to get that A and more schools will be interested in you.

[akmassager]

I am thinking of taking an april celta course in saigon but am concerned about getting work in May. How long before I'm up to full time getting out with a celta (and already esl teaching experience) in May?
Also, I've read on these forums that the need for english teachers is intense there... but what about in Da Nang? Or Haiphong? Or any where else other than HCMC and Hanoi?
Thanks