Job Discussion Forums

[Pieroku]

Hello everybody,


Im actually travelling around Asia, and I met some people who were teaching english there, moreover in vietnam and cambodia.
I want to do it too, so im looking for some informations

So, I wanted to teach English, but one guy told me i'd better teach French as it's less french teachers than english's (so easier to find a job). Is it right? What do you think about that?
I want to do it in Cambodia, Sihanoukville if it's possible, otherwise Phnom Penh. What should I do? Like find an organisation who would tell me which school is looking for teachers, or just go by myself in schools and ask?
Does anyone know anything about Sihanoukville, like if they are looking for french teachers, or for no-native english teachers; which schools or organisation i should go/ask; if I'd better go to private schools or public schools...
In another topic, I read that the guy shouldnt accept offers less than 6$ an hour in Pnohm Penh. Is it the same salary for french teachers? And in Sihanoukville? (bet its lower because of the beach..)
If I go to some schools and find a job by myself, will I have some help about teaching, like to teach in a good way, or I will just to find it out byu myself?

And then I'd like to know how it works about visas. People told me I can come with tourist visa and work (under the table I guess). Is it right? How can i get a tourist visa longer than 1 month?

Last part: I have no degrees. Is it going to be harder to get a job? and what about the salary? I dont know if i could talk about it here but a guy told me I can get a fake degree, and if i work under the table, the school wont check. Is it right?


Thank you for your answers!

[PattyFlipper]

You would have a problem scraping a living in Sihanoukville, I think. There are a couple of language schools and universities but the pickings are slim and hourly rates of pay are low. You would have a much better chance in Phnom Penh.

The use of, and demand for, French language in your former colony has declined dramatically over the last ten years or so, as most young Cambodians prefer to learn English. There was even a minor student-rebellion a few years ago at a medical college established with funding from the French government. The students demanded that the language of instruction should be changed from French to English (and it was). That said, Alliance Francaise (Google it) has a fairly thriving centre in Phnom Penh, though I have no idea what their employment criteria are; and at least a couple of the universities offer French courses. There is however a significant French-Khmer community in Phnom Penh, so I would imagine there are no shortage of candidates to fill the few available positions.

You will be facing stiff competition nowadays for English teaching posts in Phnom Penh. There is a glut of TEFL qualified native-speakers, pursuing fewer available teaching hours. This is also not a particularly good time to look for work, as the "cool" season generally sees an influx of Western teachers. In addition to competent Cambodian teachers of English, there are also significant numbers of Filipinos and Africans, all of whom will work for much lower salaries. As an unqualified non-native speaker with no experience, at best you will be looking at a few hours here and there at bottom-end, hole-in-the-wall language schools, for very low hourly rates.

As to the mention of the fake degree, you should be ashamed of yourself. Cambodians pay what are to them substantial amounts of money to learn from a real teacher. How would you feel if the situation were reversed? You certainly wouldn't be the first to use false qualifications, however the better employers with Western or switched-on Khmer management do check. And these Khao Sarn road fakes are very easy to spot for anyone who has even the faintest idea about such things.

Bon chance.

[jprimm]

What makes you think that you are qualified to teach English?

[PattyFlipper]

Indeed.

[Pieroku]

Thanks for your answer!

[PattyFlipper]

[Pieroku]

[Austrian]

Pieroku, you sound like a decent guy/gal and your motives seem ok. Go ahead and give it a try.

In case you can't find an opening for teaching French, still give E a try. If you teach kids, you do not need absolutely perfect E. I know that all native speakers will nail me to the wall for saying that

Just stay off the booze and refrain from partying every day when having to teach the following day. After all it is a job and comes with a responsibility regardless what the pay might be.

Good luck!