Job Discussion Forums

Harry Haller · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 24

Are Vietnamese schools and institutes more inclined than Chinese schools to reject an applicant based on age? I am 56 and have a BA in English, no TEFL cert as yet, and no experience teaching EFL, though I have done some tutoring in other subjects. Also, as I plan to teach for as long as I am capable and someone will allow me to continue, will age be likely to become a problem if my performance does not decline?

tiggerpoo · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Vietnam

You should have no problem finding work at your age. In many cases Vietnamese actually respect older teachers more. Just don't slack on your performance as they respect that even more.

Harry Haller · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 24

Thanks very much Tiggerpoo. Although there may be as many answers to this question as there are teachers, do you have any sense of how most teachers in Vietnam deal with health insurance? I am making an assumption that, unlike some countries, insurance in not a standard perk in Vietnam. And is the state of health care in Ho Chi Minh (I believe that is where you are located) such that no one would choose to use it unless an emergency dicated, or is it somewhat better than that?

tiggerpoo · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Vietnam

Most English schools do not offer health insurance, unless you're on a long term contract and the socialized health system is far from socialized Wink

. You can buy health insurance at any number of local and foreign health insurance providers. I'm guessing about 70 USD/month/person. There is also the option of travel insurance from your home country. Health care is improving in the major cities. In HCMC there are a number of foreign clinics as well as a French hospital. If needing special or critical medical attention most health insurance providers allow for immediate airlift to a foreign country (Thailand or Singapore). For more basic needs the Vietnamese clinics are suitable and much cheaper. Ex. health check-ups at a foreign clinic runs 60-90 USD compared to 40 USD at a local hospital. Once i had an ear infection and went to a Vietnamese clinic for 1 USD plus perscriptions needed. Sure beats 40 USD at a foreign clinic. However you might have to wait much longer and they are less comfortable. Depending on the hospital, most Vietnamese doctors speak some english.

Harry Haller · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 24

Interesting and valuable. Thanks Tiggerpoo. I am especially surprised to hear that most Vietnamese doctors speak some English. I wonder if that would be less likely in Hanoi than HCMC? And not at all likely in Haiphong or someplace smaller? I would suppose, however, that the opportunities to teach EFL outside Hanoi and HCMC are quite limited. Does anyone know of schools in Haiphong? It seemed a good city to me when I was there last year.

Tiggerpoo, it sounds as though you do not have any insurance coverage, though I may be mistaken. If you don't, is it that you feel services available locally are sufficient for your needs? That costs are low enough that you can afford even extensive, serious care? Or do you have evacuation coverage and a policy that covers major medical requirements? Please forgive my persistence on this issue, but it is an important one for me. I just want to get it right. Thanks.

tiggerpoo · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Vietnam

Actually the clinics, hospitals and doctors are better in Hanoi. Most doctors study overseas in America, France or Australia or they do interships with foreign doctors.

I would guess doctors in small cities would know less English although Hai Phong is the fourth largest city in VN with 1.7 million people.

I have health insurance through my place of employment, but just recently. Even with insurance, clinics and hospitals create a lot of hassle with payment by insurance. I prefer to use the local clinics for minor problems. I mainly have insurance for evacuation coverage purposes. Although VN is improving their health facilities, I wouldn't trust them with major illnesses.

On the other hand, HCMC has a very good maternity hospital which provides western standards at a reasonable price.

Harry Haller · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 24

Thanks again, Tiggerpoo. It was good to hear that many doctors study elsewhere. I probably should have been less surprised by that than I was.

Insurance for evacuation and major problems, local care for the rest--sounds like the way to go. Dealing with my insurance company right here in the US is enough of a hassle.

I am pleased for others that there is a very good maternity hospital in HCMC, but there is little likelihood that a Harry Haller 3 will be making his debut in HCMC.

You don't know of any schools in Haiphong, do you?

elcomputo · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 12

It appears one can get pretty decent medical care in Vietnam. However, I'm wondering about prescription drugs. A friend in VN points out that the illnesses I have are not so uncommon in Vietnam that there wouldn't be medicines here for them. Specifically, I have diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and depression (which manifests itself more as a loss of energy than moodiness).

Some of the drugs I take are pretty expensive in the USA, but I'm not even sure they are available over there. Have you had any problems in this regard?

By the way, I also inquired about this regarding China, and I was warned that pharmaceuticals made there are not to be trusted.

Harry Haller · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 24

Have you heard that about Chinese pharmceuticals from more than one source? I am in no way attempting to dispute it, but people do, of course, occasionally pass on to us as "fact" a generalization based on a specific experience or an uncorroborated "truth." I very much hope that this is such a case.

elcomputo · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 12

No, this was from a single source.

Harry Haller · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 24

Thanks. Of course, that doesn't mean it wasn't correct. Can anyone else out there offer any input on this?

Guest · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 11:13 am Post subject:

Harry

I was 56 when I was in Vietnam and I am now 57 and teaching in China and I have found that they actually prefer older people as they tend to be more settled and reliable. Before I came here, I had the same job with the same Boss for 25 years.

This School may have a hard time getting rid of me!

hoddinot · Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 4 Location: new zealand

Enjoyed reading your post. I am hoping to teach in Asia next year. Just hoping I can find somewhere to take me. I am 57. I have taught all my working life in New Zealand. I have a B Ed and a TESOL certificate. Most schools appear to like the young blond models. Vietnam and China seem the best bets. Owen

catweasle · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 53 Location: Australia

I was really nervous about coming out to China in 2003. It's worked out really well and I have absolutely NO regrets. I'm 50 (well...almost....). I came to a government college. The students are all around 20 years old and so I have a ready supply of companions for shopping, touring, translating. And living here in Guangzhou is OK, too. I'll maybe try Ha Noi in July/August. Good luck.

gjan45 · Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Vietnam

Age Factor in China is equally important, I'm 27 years old but I look about 21-23. I have been here since August 2002 and when I first came I taught at a Primary School, before I was treated with a lot of respect and after this older couple came ( around late 50's) it change I wouldn't say they disrespected me but they certainly change and I was displeased to see this kind of change.