Job Discussion Forums

[sonbuenas2]

So here's my situation...

I'm a US citizen with a degree in English and a legitimate TEFL cert I received back in 2005. I just bought a plane ticket to HCMC for September 1st.

Though I have been skiing and climbing instructor for years and really have a knack for teaching, I haven't really had any experience teaching English since the cert I received almost 5 years ago.

I am considering taking the CELTA through ILA to refresh my English teaching muscles, and in the hopes of getting a job with them - as ILA seems to be one of the few places that will consistently help with a work visa.

Am I stupid? This would be a $2500 investment if you include the cost of a month's living expenses during the course. Should I just show up and try to get a job with my 5 year old cert?

The latter option just seems risky to me given the visa situation.

Also on another note... Aren't tourist visas only good for a month? If I decided to go the CELTA course route (the course is approx 4 weeks) would I have to leave the country, then come back to look for a job?

I would greatly appreciate any advice*

*I am well aware of ILA's reputation as 'the factory' - I'd sacrifice the work situation/pay for a VISA, some experience, and to easily make some expat friends.

[Pizza Lover]

[beetlil]

I find posts like that from Pizza Lover not only bad advice, but totally untrue for people who work for or who have worked for ILA.

As I've posted before, I went to ILA for my first job in Vietnam and I was not a newbie. In my experience all this rubbish about them wanting CELTA newbies is just that - rubbish!

If you want advice about ILA, ask someone who has actually worked there - not someone who is annoyed because they couldn't work there or felt it was 'beneath' them.

You don't need to re-train - as you've said it's a big investment to do so. TALK to them. Be honest and see what they say.The recruiters are actually REAL people and you may be surprised!

And before I get all the accusations of being a troll - read my earlier posts. I was in this position and just get fed up with those who put a decent school down when they know nothing about it.

[Buffalo Boy]

If I was coming to Vietnam now without a lot of recent experience I would take a job at ILA purely for the sake of security.

There are other places that pay more, but they require experience and recruit locally. I was lucky to get jobs at two good schools by coming in on a tourist visa and applying in person, but it took me two months to find a job I liked. I had worked at "factory" schools in Japan and Korea and decided that ILA wasn't for me. I didn't want to start at the bottom of the heap again in Vietnam, and I was able to get a better deal with a bit of patience and persistance (and unlimited six month visas). I wouldn't recommend that approach now with the current visa/work permit situation.

[sonbuenas2]

Well I appreciate the advice, even if somewhat conflicting!

I suppose there's no harm is applying for a job before I commit to any more training. Probably a smarter route to try and get in with what I've got.

Even though ILA seems like a place that probably hires from overseas, I wonder how much better my chances of landing the job would be if I applied in person?

[beetlil]

If you turn up at head office with all your paperwork, I think you have a VERY good chance of getting work especially with summer school about to start