Job Discussion Forums

[nick.ipps]

Hello all,

I've been following daves for awhile now and am leaving for VN on August fourth after some travel through Thailand. I just received my B.A. in Physical Education(although I am not certified) in May of 2008, and I have been substitute teaching for a public school system(certfied by the Illinoiis Board of Education) as well as many volunteer experiences with children.

I have applied to a LARGE sum of schools in both HCMS and Hanoi, and many have not replied or say my certificate is not good enough. I did the course through Oxford Seminars, and it is all taught in a classroom and has a teaching practicum at the end. What are my chances of finding a "decent" school to sign a one year contact with?

Although I am for sure going, I would love to hear any insights especially from those who have done some hiring or know the process by which newbie students get hired. I absolutely love kids and am eager to get my TEFL career going! I would love to take a CELTA or another course, but the lack of funds are holding me down. I know I have the experience and energy and passion to succeed, but I wonder if all schools require more? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

Nick

[inky]

Hi. I think it's strange that you have experienced such a lack of responses. You may be dealing with some stereotyping, the idea that a BA in PE is less respectable, which you and I know is not true; plus the fact that the Oxford Seminars cert isn't very highly regarded. As far as I'm concerned, a BA in PE implies the potential for a lot of self-confident leadership and creative energy in the classroom, which is a top priority for teaching Young Learners, not to mention the fact that you've earned a BA, which implies that you can read and write! The very fact that you WANT to teach kids should be a strong selling point, plus the fact that you've survived the Illinois Public School system... you will never, ever face anything like that in Vietnam.

I'd be very interested in learning what schools you've applied to. They might be making a big mistake. Keep plugging away, you are qualified to teach at a good school, unless there's another issue that you haven't shared. For example, there are some racial and political issues specific to SOME language schools that you might be unknowingly dealing with.

[nick.ipps]

Thank you very much for the reply. My degree was P.E. with an emphasis in Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy, so my courses were mostly exercise physiology, physics, and kinesiology related. I guess the stereotyping really didn�t cross my mind. The P.E. aspect allowed for numerous volunteer/work/teaching/coaching experiences with children of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. I do regret the Oxford Seminars cert as I now know the lack of respect that it has. After realizing the fact, I�ve made an effort to involve myself in substitute teaching within both the private and public school systems. The public school system is horrendous in my city. Just to put it in perspective, Jesse Jackson came down and started a debate after four African Americans were kicked out of the public high school and four Caucasian students were not after a fight. The KKK and other radical racial groups came down as well to protest! This is NOT the deep south, but shows, rather, the issues that still plague the school system. Surprisingly, I LOVED it. I did kindergarten through high school and had an outstanding experience with these kids. They deal with so many issues mostly poverty, unplanned pregnancy, HIV/STIs and gangs. I think that�s why it felt so fulfilling being able to have an impact on these kids. I had an opportunity to do short term ESL teaching in Rio Viejo, Honduras also. I have an unusual ability to build a rapport with students, which is why I am so excited to teach! Because of this, I am very surprised to have such little responses from most of the schools!


I�ve compiled a list of schools that I have applied to. Additionally, I�ve heard of the racial issues, but I do not know where I would fall into it? Maybe you could help? I am a 24 year old decent looking caucasion male although this is one of my more insignificant qualities. My passion to teach and be involved with children, delve into a developing society, and appreciate and learn about another culture, build relationships with all types of people, are, I feel, my much stronger qualities. Thank you again!

Nick

District 1
Apollo-Applied and said my TEFL cert was not adequate, they require an IH certificate
CTS-applied and no response
EF-applied and said I was not qualified
Royal Education-Applied and no response
Horizontal Bilingual-applied and no response
Bell-Applied and no response

District 3
ACET-applied and said I was be better suited for Apollo
ILA-applied and said my certificate was not good enough, require 120 hours
SIS/Kinderworld- applied and no response
VUS-applied and no response

District 7
RMIT- applied and not contacted again(assuming that I wasn�t shortlisted?)

Others
Maple Bear- applied and no response
VNU-applied and no response
Hope International School- applied and no response
Hoa Sen University-applied and no response
Cleverlearn- applied and no response
Tiger English-applied and they said I was not qualified
Fisher Superkids- applied and no response
Teach Away,Inc-applied and they said I was not qualified to teach in Vietnam
Saigon Tech-applied and no response
Language Link-applied and are not hiring

[cck3000]

You should not realistically expect a response if you applied for a job online. The absolute best way to land a position in Vietnam IS TO SHOW UP. Go to Vietnam, get a bunch of resumes and just pound the pavement. I am speaking from experience. I too have a degree that is not directly related to education, and I am black. I had a job within 10 days of coming to Vietnam. But It was a job getting the job.

[DHAPhotography]

Try going there and knocking on dooors with your credentials. Vietnam is one area where if you show up, have an interview, then you're offered work. They like to see what they're paying for before they hire from abroad.

[inky]

DHA, is what you've written here based on your experience, or is it your own speculation? In other threads you are asking for help finding a job.

[DHAPhotography]

inky: Sorry, not my experience, but the experience of a good friend who wandered into HCM City a few years back and knocked on doors and found some decent work. He was told by his employers that flesh and blood works as opposed to finding work on line or by mail.

[snollygoster]

Your timing could not have been worse- Not that you were to know that. Because of many factors, students were staying away from ESL providers in Vietnam by their thousands-Then suddenly, there was a rush in early August, and the work scene changed. Every provider needed teachers that instant.

Also, another factor is as others have said-getting work via e-mail just doesnt work in Vietnam- When the employer can see you sitting in the chair opposite him, he knows you are serious.

If you want a reasonable "Check list" of what to do, who to see and how to get the job in Vietnam, take a look at
MOD EDIT

Not fancy, but has links to a lot of schools with contact details and what to expect etc.

[marimoe]

Actually, Apollo doesn't require an IH Certificate. What is required, if you read the info on the IH website, is a certification that is 120 hours, with a teaching practice component . An online course wouldn't be acceptable.

As for doing things online, as opposed to doing it face-to face has become the norm. Especially, now, when the big schools are under scrutiny by the immigration officials who are cracking down on teachers who do not have work permits. The new rule in most of the big schools like Apollo is you have to be sponsored to get hires. Meaning, you will either have to leave the country and get a visa aponsored by Apollo once you have been hired OR you would have to be hired form abroad.

[inky]

Sorry, marimoe, but I have to tell you that your comments are extremely confusing. I don't write this to be rude or confrontational, but in sympathy with newcomers looking for information, the comments in your second paragraph need clarification. "You have to be sponsored to get hires"? Please explain.

[scintillatestar]

You do not need to be in-country to get a job in Vietnam, although it does help. Certain schools will hire overseas candidates. However, most of the places that have fairly regular vacancies and/or will hire overseas are schools that administer the CELTA (ie. Apollo, ILA, Language Link). Therefore, as a previous poster mentioned, the problem is probably the length of your cert. These places will be looking for a course with 120+ hours and at least six hours of observed teaching. All things being equal, a CELTA is probably the best, since these schools would be very familiar with the certificate and the type of teacher it produces. I found it very easy to get overseas interviews and offers with the CELTA. Good luck!

[Green Acres]

Teach Away is correct in telling you that you are not qualified to teach in Vietnam. That doesn't mean you can't get a job, and as you may tell, there are a good many "unqualified" teachers in Vietnam. Beating the pavement and showing up in person will win you a job everytime. Especially now, since a lot of people have skiddadled. Plenty of jobs, uh...wait a minute, wait til after TET.

[Zembekiko1Aegean]

Yup, that's the word....everything stops before Tet (this year Feb. 12) and is really slow to start up again after. Even teachers with contracts feel this pain. Of course, you could get hired for sometime in March. Good luck.

[eslteachernyc]

It's really best, if you can, to get a 120-hour certificate. SIT TESOL, Trinity or CELTA are best

[TimkinMS]