ILA offer

Although  it is a great idea to network with schools online before arriving, for Vietnam, you should come look for work in-country, so that you can talk with HR/management staff directly, see the facilities, hang out with other teachers, etc.

None of the English schools in VN have much of a reputation and are used to heavy turnover. Demand is high but so is supply, so if they lose a teacher, they just get another one.  Based on your experience in China and Korea, I'm sure you understand that TEFL is an profit-driven industry.

You might look into VUS. Some friends of mine are teaching there (not in SGN) and say it's OK.

johnross23 wrote:

You might look into VUS. Some friends of mine are teaching there (not in SGN) and say it's OK.

My wife's daughter is attending VUS and it does appear to be a good school from a parent standpoint.

ILA is a decent workplace. I know numerous people who have been working there long term.

colinoscapee wrote:

ILA is a decent workplace. I know numerous people who have been working there long term.

My general impression regarding ILA is that they prefer to hire very young and inexperienced teachers who have done their (ILA's) CELTA course.

Based on this, I feel that the OP is likely too old and overqualified, although they would still want him to do the CELTA. 

Of course, I could be wrong and my info out-of-date.

Anyway, there's no need to focus on one school as there are so many. I'd certainly be looking for a school or chain that could provide me with a good location outside the two major cities

You're overqualified so don't get your hopes up and expect the pay to match your credential/experience.

I had a Viet Kieu acquaintance, since return to Canada having secured visas for his family, who had worked for ILA as a recruiter/interviewer.  I asked him once what the average age of his recruited teachers was and what was their longevity.  He told me it was mid-twenties and less than a year.  I suggested that if they increased the average age, the longevity would probably improve to which he agreed.  Of course he was way too far down the decision tree to effect any changes.  It sounds like things may still be the same.

THIGV wrote:

I had a Viet Kieu acquaintance, since return to Canada having secured visas for his family, who had worked for ILA as a recruiter/interviewer.  I asked him once what the average age of his recruited teachers was and what was their longevity.  He told me it was mid-twenties and less than a year.  I suggested that if they increased the average age, the longevity would probably improve to which he agreed.  Of course he was way too far down the decision tree to effect any changes.  It sounds like things may still be the same.

In my experience, most language schools in VN aren't that interested in keeping teachers for too long a time. There are exceptions, of course, if the teacher is not too demanding. However, those who get a bit uppity and start asking for more hours, a higher rate of pay, a proper contract, visa and work permit, a say in the course curriculum and content, etc. often find their classes being given to new hires until their schedule is so low that they have to seek employment elsewhere.

Actually, I think that ILA does offer a one-year contract, but would prefer to hire new teachers rather than renewing the contracts of current teaching staff as a way of "preserving freshness". It's a business model that succeeds because the supply is always there. These days, everybody knows that you "can make a lot of money teaching English in Vietnam" and that "it is easy to get a teaching job there".

It also depends on where you want to teach because for example Rach Gia is starving for Westerner English teachers and teachers here could get their contract renewed as long as they want, but not many teachers would like to stay here long term as there's not much to do compared to bigger cities and there's no expat community, which is troublesome for some (and a bonus for me!).

I would say you are overqualified, however, since you have years of experience, you have a lot more rooms and opportunities to be promoted in a short amount of time in any English centers.

Apax is currently hiring teachers, and if you sign the contract, you can get a bonus as well. They deal with work permit and visa process on behalf of new comers, so it is easier for you to settle down.

If you plan to stay in Vietnam for more than a couple of years, and don't mind enjoying tranquil area, by working in a local places such as Gia lai, or Ha Long, you may get accommodation assistance as well as remote region bonus.

Consider Apax, compare other centers, and wish you choose a decent center to work for!

What are some good schools to apply at in rach gia?

Rebecca Mai80 wrote:

What are some good schools to apply at in rach gia?

Welcome to the forum.

According to Google Maps:

https://www.google.com/maps/search/rach … h+schools/

Rach Gia has 15 "English schools", including a branch of ILA. Links to their websites are included for those that have one. Some schools are listed as "temporarily closed".

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the town or the schools. You can read various comments about ILA above.

Have a look at this site for teaching jobs nationwide. Some schools maybe able to sponsor you for entry into VN, but you would need to quarantine and currently, the Covid situation is particularly bad in the South, especially in Ho CHi Minh City.

Devastating Covid wave stretches HCMC healthcare system to the brink
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/devas … 09310.html

Here's the link for the teaching jobs:

https://vietnamteachingjobs.com/

Kk thanks

I work for ILA and I'd recommend them. I'm already past the maximum age to get a work permit in some Asian countries. If there is a bias for younger teachers I haven't noticed. I'm also well qualified in TESOL but on the other hand I have never taught kids before so I'm learning something new. There is freedom in designing your own lessons as long as you follow the curriculum. ILA provides a lot of support for teachers and the materials from other teachers in their lesson banks are very helpful. I'm also impressed by how they've made the transition to online classes and maintained quality in the current covid situation.
I'd suggest going to the Glassdoor website, where employees rate their employers. At a review site you tend to get the unhappy employees more so than the satisfied ones, but it will give you a better idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the various schools. One school in particular doesn't seem to have paid anyone on time since the covid epidemic started last year.