Job Discussion Forums

[londo]

I'm quite new to the board but not to Vietnam and certainly not teaching (25 years and counting). I didn't join boards because I felt that most posters were, at least here in Vietnam, quite transient, not overly qualified and very young (I remember when 'dude' was fashionable the first time round), nothing against the young but I'm a father, a husband, a home-owner and a dog walker - and I live here, speak Vietnamese and, well, just couldn't relate to the trials and tribulations so many seemed to have. recently I've noticed a different breed moving in and onto the boards and though I've never had anything to do with language mills, I have noticed a much higher qualified number of people coming into my office asking for jobs and far far fewer backpackers and chancers. We ARE starting to offer higher salaries and I know many previously 'iffy' language centres trying to up their game. I live in Phu My Hung and I've noticed many more TEFL instructors moving in, whilst it's true rents are down, I get the impression they have higher salaries as well as many more married couples and 'pros' in their mid thirties. In my own experience schools or centres who are offering 'quality' certificate courses are booming at the moment. What's the feeling out there? are things changing for real this time?

[TimkinMS]

[londo]

Sorry, wasn't too clear. By 'certificate' courses i was talking about schools with accreditation who can offer IELTS and/or TOEFL or UNIs who are trying to do something about the appallingly low quality of tuition till now.
As for the 'pros', yes, many more large companies and corporations have now lost patience and are offering employees corporate English and other professional courses. This is my particular bailiwick and we have seen an almost 100% increase in interest over the past 9 to 12 months. This is something the larger or more professional (perceived at least) institutions are beginning to offer (RMIT as well as some of the better known schools) and this seems to be the reason for more professional instructors arriving. As for the Visa and WP problems...yes, certainly going to clear out a bit of dross but please remember the world doesn't only revolve around Language Institute TEFLers. There are thousands of company owners, directors, board members and short term consultants (ie lecturers, specialists, auditors) who are exempt from WP procedures and whereas it is certainly expensive to fly these people in for 3/6 months, you get what you pay for and frankly with the WP process approaching $1,000 a time it's almost looking cost-effective. I agree with the TEFL certificate point you made Timkins, CELTA/DELTA/Trinity are the best but with such increased costs most corporate providers can go for experienced 'names' and this brings the whole 'Expat' package. Where is this leading? well I believe that if the public sector doesn't get its act together the corporate world is going to take on the responsibility of higher level English training and a reduced language institute sector will have the kids and exam prep market with fewer but better qualified FEs.

[londo]

An update: we had a visit from a very large and well known corporation this morning which wants to start its own training division offering not only technical courses but also English from intermediate to IELTS level courses for at least 500 of its staff...emblematic I think.

[Greg 09]

I just sent you a PM londo.