Job Discussion Forums

[wayne1523]

Hi, I've made a similar post in the General Discussion forum but I'd like to make one here as well that's more directed towards working in Vietnam. My main question these days in my head has been the Taiwan ESL market vs the Vietnam ESL market. Taiwan is still my first choice, but due to the competition and relatively difficult employment opportunities over there, I find Vietnam an intriguing second choice. I just finished teaching in Korea for a year and am back in Canada to complete the CELTA. I also have a BA degree. With these qualifications and experience, would I be able to find decent work in HCMC (as in entry-level, reasonably medium pay teaching kids or adults) if I make the effort to? How competitive is it in Vietnam? (And as I mentioned in earlier posts, because appearance is relevant in employment in Asia, I`ll state that I`m 23 male, Canadian-born Chinese speaking fluent English.)

Thank you guys.

[chim35]

The correct word is "fare," not "fair."

[wayne1523]

Thanks.

[yogurtpooh]

You'll get work but don't expect your salary to be very high. Looking Asian is generally a disadvantage but if you are a good teacher and if the schools are desperate enough, they will give you a chance. It's definitely not impossible, but it will be more difficult for you and you might even get angry over how the next white person with no experience is making more money than you and how the admins will bend over backwards for them. If you're pretty flexible about hours, potential double shits, and location, you'll manage just fine.
Oh and by the way, the general Vietnamese population aren't very fond of the Chinese... maybe suggest that you're parents are Singaporeans or something..

[wayne1523]

Thanks. What about saying if my parents are from Hong Kong rather than from mainland China? That wouldn't be better? And I hear the Vietnamese are generally more fond of people from the west, and Canadians are welcome. True?

[yogurtpooh]

I think Singaporeans get the most respect because the Vietnamese are aware of their English speaking abilities. Some of my students favor studying English in Singapore for whatever reasons. I don't think general Vietnamese people are fond of westerners at all. I'm Vietnamese and I know Vietnamese people are generally not very friendly at all. Honestly, respect for strangers is not emphasized here. It's all about the family and the elders. Damn you Confucius. Many locals resent westerners for making way much more money and working less than them. The younger crowd isn't as bothered by westerners as compared to their folks. In fact, young students probably prefer a white face in the classroom... they can get away with a lot more. And most parents prefer a white face because they believe white faces are automatically better English teachers.
Even though you are Canadian, born and raised, your appearance might contradict the white western favoritism (concerning English teachers). It's not impossible to find a job. If you are a quality teacher- your students will like you. But you must accept that you likely will get paid less than a white face. Here's a true story, a popular franchise school hired my friend who is a 30 year old Vietnamese American with a BA, TESOL, and a few years of subbing experience at 13.5 an hour. That same school hired an old 50 or 60 something white man around the same time with no experience at 14.5 an hour. The old man got vetoed out by the students after a few weeks. More recently, that same school hired a white guy, 10 years younger- no experience, no college degree, just a TESOL and offered him 14 an hour.

[wayne1523]

I see. That's fine. I still remain persistent if I officially decide to work in Vietnam. What are a few popular websites to find jobs listings in Vietnam? Would one be wiser to find the job overseas first before arriving, or go job hunting in person upon arrival instead?

[bentanddisfunctional]

[yogurtpooh]

20 dollars at a language center sounds like a stretch to me- Expect 13 to 15 if you're lucky. It's good to send your CV out to a few schools that advertise online to get somewhat of a preliminary feel- maybe to ILA if you have a CELTA. I would recommend to just show up and apply in person. Good luck.

[esbam2002]

[Andy123]

esbam2002 is correct. There are some schools that will pay Asians and Viets equal wages as round eyes. This is rare.

Esbam2002 is a 100% correct about most do not about experience or creditcials. So sad for the students.

[wayne1523]

That's great to hear that you guys are telling me all about this. It's definitely a heads up. Now maybe I might be a bit delusional, but I really don't buy into it fully. I think ultimately, as an ESL candidate, having fluency is one thing, but I think it all boils down to the energy and confidence of the person in spite of ethnic disadvantage. I think that attitude goes with anything. Sure, with me being Asian in an employment environment where my race would be judged, I don't have it as easy as the whites. But I think persistence, confidence, and the energy that a candidate exudes in an interview can make a drastic difference. Now, I'm not a fan of stroking myself, but I feel that I make quite solid first impressions, exude high energy and confidence in interviews. Not only do I speak English perfectly, but I can act, say, and express things in a western kind of way. I convey myself as a personable, approachable person in interviews. Though I'm sure the Asians mentioned here so far have had a difficult time finding a job and struggled because of their race, I think there are other factors that play in the decision of NOT hiring a candidate aside being strictly on race. What do you guys think? It's okay to give me more reality checks so that I can be mentally prepared for what's coming.

I appreciate the heads up alot but at the same time, I feel as if I want to make Vietnam happen, I must filter out all that negative noise and just go straight into the jungle. I can't let it defeat me and not go because of it. Vietnam is really one of my dreams.

Esbam, thanks for the info. Having you tell me that Cleverlearn hires Asians is very helpful. Can anybody tell me what other schools don't mind Asian native speaking teachers?

Lastly, you guys say that Asian Native English teachers are paid the same as Vietnamese teachers. And how much is this? How much do the caucasian teachers make? I would like to know the disparity.

Thanks all! =)

[VN-Teecha]

ILA hires Asian teachers as long as you're a native English speaker. I'm an American-born Vietnamese person who climbs the same salary ladder as my white counterparts.

Starting pay is $17.25 per hour.

[wayne1523]

Sounds not bad at all. Is ILA very legitimate? And how hard is it to be accepted by them? And is it in Ho Chi Minh City, if not in other parts of Vietnam as well?

[generalgiap]

One of the most important aspects for an Asian and caucasians to get employment in a reputable language school in Vietnam is your certificate. If you have the CELTA, it will much easier but if you have a certificate such as TEFL internationals it will be difficult because everyone passes. If you get a B grade on the CELTA, should be easy. This will also be the case for a lot of other countries. Choose the CELTA, do not make the mistake that many other native English speakers have made.

Best of luck