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mushroomyakuza
Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 140
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 Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject: Newbie |
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hi guys
I've just had an email from someone who works at ILA. I have some basic questions though. A lot of chatter on these boards seems to indicate that now is not a good time to be working in Vietnam as an ESL teacher, and even more so if you're a newbie, which I am. I've taught in two jobs in England before, both for 3 weeks, but never abroad. The gist seems to be that I'd be "eaten up and spat out". Is this really true?
There's no mention of the hours involved or a firm number on salary yet, but otherwise it seems respectable enough. Can anyone offer advice on; ILA as an employer, teaching in Vietnam, bad places/good places to be in Vietnam, Vietnamese students.
Much appreciated. |
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inky
Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 283
Location: Hanoi
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Vietnamese students are generally lovely people, friendly and courteous and eager to learn. I wouldn't recommend that someone come here now with no plan in place, but ILA is a solid company, if you sign on full-time they will get you a Work Permit when you supply the documents that they will tell you to bring, so the current visa issue will be moot for you. Vietnam is still a relatively very inexpensive place to live. It's not everyone's idea of paradise, but a lot of people love it here. Most teachers are new at some point (usually at the beginning), so don't worry about that, as long as you're not put off by big-city problems like noise and traffic, and as long as you're willing to accept a culture that's different from what you're used to, you'll be fine. Your only real concern at this point is whether to choose HCMC (Saigon) or Hanoi. |
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jayasia
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Isaan
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half moon
Joined: 17 Jul 2007
Posts: 49
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie |
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| mushroomyakuza wrote: |
hi guys
I've just had an email from someone who works at ILA. I have some basic questions though. A lot of chatter on these boards seems to indicate that now is not a good time to be working in Vietnam as an ESL teacher, and even more so if you're a newbie, which I am. I've taught in two jobs in England before, both for 3 weeks, but never abroad. The gist seems to be that I'd be "eaten up and spat out". Is this really true?
There's no mention of the hours involved or a firm number on salary yet, but otherwise it seems respectable enough. Can anyone offer advice on; ILA as an employer, teaching in Vietnam, bad places/good places to be in Vietnam, Vietnamese students.
Much appreciated. |
Inky has rose-colored glasses.
Everything is great according to him.
But come and give it your best shot.
Best of luck. |
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ajc19810
Joined: 22 May 2008
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 1:36 am Post subject: |
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language school students, such as ILA are awesome. Polite, friendly and lots of fun. Adult classes are great as they always want to take you out for a meal and a sing. There is never a shortage of invites and classes are always entertaining especially once you've had a class for while.
Kids classes, well...kids classes are kids classes.
I think you're on the right line with ILA, stick with a large chain at the moment.
Teaching is not a difficult job, if you have patience and a sense of humor. Don't stress about being new, sometimes I think students prefer new teachers so they get the opportunity to tell you all about their culture. |
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jamburg
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| ajc19810 wrote: |
language school students, such as ILA are awesome. Polite, friendly and lots of fun. Adult classes are great as they always want to take you out for a meal and a sing. There is never a shortage of invites and classes are always entertaining especially once you've had a class for while.
Kids classes, well...kids classes are kids classes.
I think you're on the right line with ILA, stick with a large chain at the moment.
Teaching is not a difficult job, if you have patience and a sense of humor. Don't stress about being new, sometimes I think students prefer new teachers so they get the opportunity to tell you all about their culture. |
You've just made me feel a lot better with that post. I've got an interview with ILA in a week, and I think if I got offered the job I'd probably take it. I'm a new teacher (just finished CELTA) and am really nervous about teaching 'for real' for the first time, especially with kids because I haven't had any training for that. You've alleviated my worries somewhat, so thanks! |
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snollygoster
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
Posts: 478
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| Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:59 am Post subject: TEACH KIDS? |
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No training to teach kids with CELTA- Thats what you said-right?
The "A" in CELTA says it all- ADULTS- Basically, CELTA is for teaching Adults, and TESOL is for teaching all.
If you want some deeper understanding of teaching kids (And ILA will probably expect you to do Young Learner classes), I can give you some pointers and a FREE book on the matter.
PM me if interested. |
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jayasia
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Isaan
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haller_79
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
Posts: 145
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 1:07 am Post subject: |
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Teaching is not an easy job, if it were an easy job everyone would be an ESL teacher (basically free travel). The fact that being 'new' can be advantageous tells you a lot about this kind of work, in what other line of work is being new an advantage? Youre as good as your smile and fun-ness in this field and once you lose it youre toast.
Anyway enjoy the adventure, but take what is posted on here with huge grain of salt. |
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ajc19810
Joined: 22 May 2008
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:32 am Post subject: |
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| haller_79 wrote: |
| Youre as good as your smile and fun-ness in this field and once you lose it youre toast. |
I think that this quote for most language schools is honest, spot on and gives everybody some idea of what to expect when they are new to teaching in Vietnam.
Not only is it a good quote for new people but also for long termers who hit that wall (toasted) and overstay their welcome. You know the ones. The ones that sit in the staffroom and bring the mood down, usually bitching and moaning about one of the best places in the world. Usually the ones with no quals or education.
Vietnam is still an awesome place to live and work and while it's attempting to become more legit (something that I'm not all that excited about) it's still amazes me from the moment I step off the plane. |
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inky
Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 283
Location: Hanoi
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:21 am Post subject: |
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| I would say you're as good as your joy of teaching, which naturally brings a smile to your face. If you are doing it solely as a means of funding travel, you're not going to be satisfied, and you won't be smiling. As long as you care about your students and enjoy watching them learn, the smile won't fade. |
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