Job Discussion Forums

[ty12s]

Hello,
I have been in Korea for one year now, and am more than ready to move on. I have read all of the posts in the Vietnam forum, but some date back from a year or two ago and I would appreciate some recent input on working in Vietnam. Is working a 40 hour week, whether at one or two jobs and making at least $2000 per month a possibility in HCMC? Regarding the TESOL course that I have read about in Vietnam, do a lot of English teachers have their TESOL certificate? Thanks for reading, I would appreciate any of your opinions.

[skarper]

I think it would be a struggle to make 2000USD even in HCMC. Some do but they are usually ones who've been here a while and have some good connections and have paid their dues.

Proper international schools pay well, but want qualified teachers.

Many people live here making about 1000USD a month and enjoy the more relaxed lifestyle. The cost of living is lower than Korea so in some ways it is better.

[LettersAthruZ]

[Mattingly]

[1st Sgt Welsh]

Hi ty12s,

Just to clarify, are you talking about 40 'hours' or 40 'contact hours'? If it's 40 contact hours then I agree wholeheartedly with Mattingly. It's possible to do it but, speaking for myself, I'd be exhausted and I dread to think what my lessons would be like. When you take into account time for marking and prep, IMHO, 24 contact hours is a full-time job, especially if you haven't taught the unit before.

My school only pays for contact hours unless you get a full-time contract. A full-time contract will usually mean that you work around 40 hours a week (which includes marking, prep, maybe 20 or so contact hours and for the rest of the time you do administration). In regards to earning $2,000 a month, a contract gig at the British Council might possibly pay that (that's just an educated guess) and RMIT definitely does and quite a bit more. However, both those schools can afford to be picky and they usually demand post-qualification experience. If you ace the CELTA (i.e. get an 'Pass A') then you may be a candidate for those schools, but, personally, I've only met a handful of people walking around with a CELTA 'Pass A'.

[ty12s]

Thanks for the information. Saving $2000 a month would be great, but I realize that isn't possible. I meant making around $2000. In regards to the money, in your opinion what is the "average," pay rate for a teacher, that has their CELTA or TESOL Trinity certificate from the Apollo or ILA school. I swear I have seen people write that they get about $15-17 per hour. Do you guys only work 15-25 (contact) hours per week? I usually only see ILA and Apollo posting for jobs on this site, I realize there are more schools in HCMC than just those two. How long did it take you to find your job? Right now in Korea, I have kids from 10-6:30 MWF, 10-4:30 TTH, one hour lunch. It can be hell sometimes. Do the classrooms have cameras in them, like the Korean classrooms? Thanks for your help.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

I started on $24 per hour, but I am now on $26. Most schools pay less than that, but you got to look at the complete package (holiday pay, sick leave, end of contract bonuses etc). I don't get any of those benefits as I'm not on a full-time contract, but I'm not complaining and my school has been good to me.

A 'garden-variety' language mill should pay close to $20 (often with some benefits). You can still live comfortably on that and save a bit as well. If you have dependents then that changes things. In regards to cameras in the class rooms, I've heard of that elsewhere (especially in China), but, if it happens here, I've never heard of it.

[kurtz]

You're generally not treated as a pedophile like in Kimchiland, I should know, I did some "time" in that place and as long as you dress well, the Viets don't seem to look at you like you're a criminal and sex offender.

Lower your financial expectations in Vietnam, but get ready for a good time. Be prepared to work evenings and at least one day on the weekend. To get to $2000 you'll be running around town during the day doing privates, something you don't get thrown in jail for doing here. If you want the $$ - stay in Corea.

[ty12s]

Awesome. So the average pay rate is $20 per hour. What is the average working hours though?? 20? How long did it take you to find a job though? One week, one month? Are the Vietnamese as vain as the Koreans? Do they prefer better looking (faces) over average looking? In your opinion does someone that they consider "pretty," or "handsome," have a better chance at landing a job. That is if, they have to decide between candidate A who is average looking and candidate B who is pretty? Both candidates having the same qualifications of course. I have noticed in Korea, that preferential treatment is given to people that are good looking, it's unfortunate. They base everything on looks and disregard the quality of the work that the person does. I witness it everyday at my hagwon and hear about it from other friends.

[kurtz]

I've worked at two of the better language mills going around. They don't seem to care about looks in general, not that I'm bad looking, but it was Westerners doing the recruitment; the places are generally well run and don't see you as a poster boy/girl to be stuck on some bus and paraded around town. BEWARE! Dodgy schools of which there are many, and of course, the dreaded work permit and visa. If you're working for a good mill, they'll do the legwork for you otherwise, I wouldn't bother unless you want to do visa runs (please search other posts for info on this).

Enrollments are down, 70-80 hours seems to be the norm at the moment plus you get a decent tax taken out too but the weather! the beer! the scenery! No ajumma!

Viets aren't Koreans (hurray!!!!!) but they have their own quirks.

[Kawika]

Not sure if being handsome will give you an upper hand on being hired. But if you teach young learners, some schools do prefer or only hire Caucasians because parents like to see Caucasians teach their children. These schools usually also require you to wear a tie

A former employer of mine said in a teacher meeting that they were hoping to hire female teachers and to ask our female teacher acquaintances to apply (since long time teachers there tended to be males and over time females leave the country, so the female to male ratio was lopsided).

If you are worried about how long it'll take to find a job, you could send in your CV to schools, you can be hired before even moving to Vietnam. And once you're here you can continue applying to more schools if you want more hours / higher pay. Finding a teaching job is not difficult in Vietnam if you are resourceful and motivated. Cheers

[8balldeluxe]

You don't have to bow all the time. You don't have to pour beer for your school director late night at a pojangmatcha or soju tent. In fact, your school director will probably never even meet you or speak with you . It is very live and let live and easy going here. but students can be a bit more distant, and you might end up speaking a lot more in class. You can possibly do better dating. No one seems to have pointed that out, as they are far less culturally chauvinistic here about dating or marriage than koreans with their 'pure Korean blood' superstitions and beliefs. There are far more Scottish who tend to act bawdy and inappropriately rude and ruin it for all other white people however. Those types don't last long in Korea but they seem to gravitate toward Vietnam for some reasons.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

[Hatcher]

I have never worked in Vietnam but I thought the academies pay about 1200-1400$ a month while the unis pay about 2000$ and if you teach a subject like Business at a uni you can make about 3000$ a month. Can anyone confirm this?

[The Mad Hatter]