Teaching English with no degree

BT1989 Member

17POSTS

9 years ago

I wanted to spend some time next year travelling around Asia, and staying in Vietnam for a while as well, I was there earlier this year and loved all of it.

How feasible is it these days to land a job teaching English at language centres or private tutor? I just need to make enough money to get by as I also have savings to live off also, but I would obviously expect salary wise to be on the lower end of the spectrum.

In Australia I currently work for a large Bank doing project management type work, I have a pretty good resume/CV for my age but I never went to University or College as I just worked my way up the ladder.

I know back in the day you could almost walk in as a well presented white guy who spoke English and land a teaching job. But I'm sure things have changed a lot, I know in Thailand for example they've really cracked down. Thoughts?

See also

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Fred Indonesia Expert

30549POSTS

9 years ago

My thoughts .............

No training and no clue, but you want to educate - Is that fair on the kids?

2 members reacted to this post

BT1989 Member

17POSTS

9 years ago

All due respect I'm not looking on advice on whether I should do it or not , I'm sure you're well aware this is something done by thousands of expats looking for work.

2 members reacted to this post

Bazza139 ViP

1257POSTS

9 years ago

Go ferret, 1989.

There is plenty of work at all levels.

Word of mouth, a bit of footwork, free demo lesson..?
You'll find what you're after, and once you have proven
your worth, the pay will too.聽聽聽

1 member reacted to this post

Guntergruber Member

1POSTS

9 years ago

Your biggest problem would be the Government regulations. The puplic school system is, of course, funded by the Government. It in turn contracts private institutions to supply native English teachers. These private agencies and schools have to follow government regulations and stipulations. They can only hire teachers that have some kind of certification, like TEFOL, TESEL and at least a Bachelor Degree.

1 member reacted to this post

VuandHuy New member

7POSTS

9 years ago

I'm in the same situation. If you're blonde with blue eyes, yes, just walk into any learning center and you will have a high chance of getting聽 hired. I have many friends with no degree teaching at centers. If not, I found it's easier to find private students. Don't stress about having a degree. You're teaching kids basic English. Also, try advertising yourself on sites. Txxx hope this helps.

Thanks

Vu

Moderated by Bhavna 9 years ago
Reason : Promotion of website
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct

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tsshapiro Active member

53POSTS

9 years ago

Government regulations require that all foreign employees have the proper visa and work documents. This is for three reasons:

1) So immigrants from poorer countries (Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar) are not "taking" jobs from Vietnamese citizens. Same as in your country.

2) So unqualified individuals are not in a position to do societal damage. Could you imagine if Gary Glitter was teaching English to children, or the unibomber working for a de-mining operation?聽 Again, it's the same in your country.

3) Taxes. You (or your employer) are supposed to pay income tax on your earnings. Obviously, the government wants that money. Yet again, the same as in your country.

That being said, you probably won't find a problem finding a job in major population centers where demand is high. However, you need to be aware of a major risk: being scammed.

The reputable schools won't hire you without the proper documentation as schools face severe fines for illegal laborers. This means you could end up working for an untrustworthy school. These establishments take many forms. Sometimes they're only open for a few weeks. Sometimes they're desperate and failing businesses.

Your pay could be drastically less, chronically late, or both. Also they may make unexpected deductions from your paycheck for "documents". There are many stories on this forum about teachers not getting their due.

Consequently, as an illegal laborer you can expect no legal recourse and the employer knows this.

Happy hunting, but be careful what you wish for.

7 members reacted to this post

lolpol8912 Active member

50POSTS

9 years ago

It all depends on your attitude and aptitude comes second.

In general education helps. But morally, no issue. The demand is for a degree, they do NOT scrutinise which degree you hold. Which means, the "qualified" teachers are not more able than you by default. Most people that are "qualified" hold business degrees or similarly non-relevant degrees. Don't take pay that is too low! Aim for 17-18$ an hour and you are making sure that you are not taking the piss.
Basically, have the right attitude and be prepared to learn. Take the job seriously and you will be fine. Someone who is conscientious and methodical is better than most of the teachers here even just holding those two traits.

2 members reacted to this post

lolpol8912 Active member

50POSTS

9 years ago

In general, education helps.聽聽(woops, bad teacher)

jimmyrobertson Member

1POSTS

8 years ago

#10

freds negative and has an ego, don't be like fred. become a teacher even if you don't know what to do because people like fred don't help other people to help kids.

4 members reacted to this post

Ross The Explorer Member

3POSTS

7 years ago

#11

Lots of teachers work in Viernam illegally. It鈥檚 just a frank reality of the ESL industry here. What鈥檚 more important is your devotion to the kids. Don鈥檛 bother finding a job if you are only going to stick around for a few weeks. It鈥檚 unfair on kids to have such a high turn over of teachers. They need consistency.

Ross The Explorer Member

3POSTS

7 years ago

#12

Legally you need a degree, TEFL certificate, work permit, health check and police check to work in Vietnam. The reality is lots of teachers in Vietnam work cash in hand under the radar.

If you are working illegally though you do run the risk of getting blacklisted. After the recruitment company I got a business visa with couldn't give me a job, I worked in Nam Dinh for a month cash in hand and got busted. The immigration police cam knocking, the recruitment company had lied to the government and I had to leave country.

It looks as if the country is gradually clamping down on the cash in hand, under the radar mentality. It is now very expensive to extend tourist visas from within Vietnam. Now when you do a visa run you have to be out of the country for a few days (in the past you could hop across the border for just a few minutes).

lawman16 New member

4POSTS

7 years ago

#13

I had my first teaching job in Angeles city at AELC, (one on one classes) no degree, no experience in teaching at all, and doing 10 lessons a day, teaching Taiwanese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese students, but unless any of my students were taking IELTS for immigration purposes or better job prospects, the majority of my students, stayed with me because i gave them what they wanted, they all wanted to converse in English and improve their English speaking skills.

Whilst i was at the school i was working from a lot of books (purchased by the students) that are supposed to teach the students the English language, most of them were complete BS, and taught the students nothing about SPEAKING the English language, like i said i have no qualifications, but i do know the English language.

I am not really interested in teaching in schools because i prefer one on one teaching, and i to see the results of my teaching being shown in a real way ( people learning to speak the English as it is meant to be spoken.

2 members reacted to this post

Bazza139 ViP

1257POSTS

7 years ago

#14

I give them homework...聽聽"Watch (any) movie with subtitles"聽聽聽 They get the works;
meaning, context, accent, body language, (etc)聽 ..all while 'relaxing'.聽

Class discussions (almost) unnecessary: they have already joined into sub-groups
and appointed speakers.聽聽Best for me, because they remember it all...

Quite often, better than me...聽聽聽

1 member reacted to this post

thecyclist Active member

51POSTS

7 years ago

#15

If deportation and blacklisting is all you get for getting caught working illegally, it ain't that bad, unless, of course, you have some 'ties' in Vietnam. In Thailand you are likely to聽 spend some time in the slammer as well.
Compared to doing time in this region, deportation and blacklisting would be the least of my worries.

1 member reacted to this post

Talented Miss C Member

11POSTS

7 years ago

#16

Is it illegal to do volunteer teaching in Vietnam?

Bazza139 ViP

1257POSTS

7 years ago

#17

No.聽聽Some NGO's advertise free accomodation, food (and transport) for a few hrs
per week (varying 5, 10, never more than 15)聽聽Go Ogle to find where.

This not only gives you experience & credibility, but opens doors to opportunity...

Works for me聽聽聽

Talented Miss C Member

11POSTS

7 years ago

#18

Currently I am too in Tay Ho. I just didn't know if there will be implications as such. But looking forward for the opportunities here while volunteering.

Bazza139 ViP

1257POSTS

7 years ago

#19

Just type in; NGO volunteering in (place) for many offers

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

7 years ago

#20

I guess you can volunteer in any school if you choose to do so.

Jim-Minh Serial expat

554POSTS

7 years ago

#21

Bazza139 wrote:
Just type in; NGO volunteering in (place) for many offers

That sounds like good advice to me. It's a great way to get experience, create goodwill, develop a reputation, and make contacts. Where do I find NGO volunteeering?

I just found this via Google:

senwl Serial expat

820POSTS

7 years ago

#22

Jim-Minh wrote:
Where do I find NGO volunteeering?

Get in touch with your chosen ones (or visit their sites) to look for volunteering opportunities.

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

7 years ago

#23

I have always understood this volunteering , but not real fan of this pay us and we let you volunteer.. 馃槅

1 member reacted to this post

Jim-Minh Serial expat

554POSTS

7 years ago

#24

Wald0 wrote:
I have always understood this volunteering , but not real fan of this pay us and we let you volunteer.. 馃槅

I couldn't imagine what you were talking about until I looked. I don't think they want volunteers:

Volunteer Project Fees
Participation in the Teaching English at an NGO Volunteer Project starts at a minimum of two weeks at $699. Each additional week is $119.

WOW!

1 member reacted to this post

Leoneastardo Member

1POSTS

7 years ago

#25

How much money is it per visa run.
Are there other ways to.make money aka tutoring ect jobs with less risk??
Thank you for all the information much appreciated.
-Leoneastardo

Mluberti Member

3POSTS

6 years ago

#26

I would like to teach in Vietnam legally with a degree, work visa and TESL certificate. But I will be 70 years old. Is this a problem?

Guest2023 Guest

0POSTS

6 years ago

#27

Mluberti wrote:
I would like to teach in Vietnam legally with a degree, work visa and TESL certificate. But I will be 70 years old. Is this a problem?

It wint be a problem, but it wont be easy.

Brick23 Contributor

180POSTS

6 years ago

#28

I started teaching some neighbourhood kids in Nha Trang that my landlady provides meals for once a week... the pay is zero but it's great seeing how keen they are to learn, unlike so many Western sprogs.

If I wanted to teach formally, and get paid, I'd pay a few hundred $ online for some teaching certificate or other, and if I didn't have a degree I'd pay another few hundred $ online to acquire one... most degrees are totally useless anyway, like their owners... it's a daft requirement that should not stop people who enjoy teaching from doing so.

I have nothing good to say about NGOs, having dealt with many clueless and corrupt examples over the years.

Good luck.

OceanBeach92107 VIP Member

7609POSTS

6 years ago

#29

Since this thread has been revived, I'll just add one bit of information I've learned traveling around the country:

The greatest risk to being hired illegally as a teacher--under the table or without proper documentation--often comes from the local Vietnamese teachers.

Many elementary and secondary school teachers run a profitable side business for themselves, by requiring extra lessons in English after school, and then offering themselves as the teacher to provide lessons.

My Vietnamese friends tell me聽 the teachers would not be able to survive on a basic teacher salary without doing this.

So, if a foreigner comes along and is hired as a private tutor for the students, the arrangement will not be private at all.

The instructor at the school will know about the arrangement and they can report you to immigration, motivated to do so because you have taken away their income.

There was at least one report of that happening in this forum, in a case where the foreigner teacher wasn't even charging (volunteering).

As a side note, there is a lot of talk about foreigners being blacklisted from receiving a new Visa here.

My personal experience with three different foreigners here (Americans, two on tourist visas, one on a 1 year category DN business Visa) who have been blacklisted revealed that to be the Vietnam law they broke; teaching illegally.

2 members reacted to this post

Guest2023 Guest

0POSTS

6 years ago

#30

"As a side note, there is a lot of talk about foreigners being blacklisted from receiving a new Visa here."

It was more about the fact that most people on DN visas didn't have a legitimate sponsor. Instead of going after agents and the immigration police who issued them, it was easier to go after those who have the most to lose, the bearer of the visa.

1 member reacted to this post

OceanBeach92107 VIP Member

7609POSTS

6 years ago

#31

colinoscapee wrote:
"As a side note, there is a lot of talk about foreigners being blacklisted from receiving a new Visa here."

It was more about the fact that most people on DN visas didn't have a legitimate sponsor. Instead of going after agents and the immigration police who issued them, it was easier to go after those who have the most to lose, the bearer of the visa.

Especially easy to go after those who make targets of themselves by teaching illegally.

Guest2023 Guest

0POSTS

6 years ago

#32

OceanBeach92107 wrote:
colinoscapee wrote:
"As a side note, there is a lot of talk about foreigners being blacklisted from receiving a new Visa here."

It was more about the fact that most people on DN visas didn't have a legitimate sponsor. Instead of going after agents and the immigration police who issued them, it was easier to go after those who have the most to lose, the bearer of the visa.

Especially easy to go after those who make targets of themselves by teaching illegally.

Well thats about 80% of teachers here. Schools hate doing WP paperwork and they then must pay more tax.

1 member reacted to this post

jayrozzetti23 Serial expat

844POSTS

6 years ago

#33

Mluberti wrote:
I would like to teach in Vietnam legally with a degree, work visa and TESL certificate. But I will be 70 years old. Is this a problem?

Contact the schools to apply. They will let you know.

For job ads/post your CV:聽

Contem talk Serial expat

509POSTS

6 years ago

#34

BT1989 wrote:
I wanted to spend some time next year travelling around Asia, and staying in Vietnam for a while as well, I was there earlier this year and loved all of it.

How feasible is it these days to land a job teaching English at language centres or private tutor? I just need to make enough money to get by as I also have savings to live off also, but I would obviously expect salary wise to be on the lower end of the spectrum.

In Australia I currently work for a large Bank doing project management type work, I have a pretty good resume/CV for my age but I never went to University or College as I just worked my way up the ladder.

I know back in the day you could almost walk in as a well presented white guy who spoke English and land a teaching job. But I'm sure things have changed a lot, I know in Thailand for example they've really cracked down. Thoughts?

Yes, probably you can earn some extra money for living here Teaching English. Nothing to worry Go to Vietnam and make it in action As you are Aussi People love to keep you as a row module in their classrooms.

Teacher Mark Serial expat

978POSTS

6 years ago

#35

tsshapiro wrote:
Could you imagine if Gary Glitter was teaching English to children,

He was!

Brooky Member

24POSTS

6 years ago

#36

Perhaps you mean role model? I ask because I have the same question and interest in any work teaching English in Vietnam. Is it even possible / allowed sans, or without an official degree? I was thinking primary school and a basic introduction to English. I have been assisting a lady who teaches in Tuyen Quang via online communication. She is a native of Tuyen Quang.聽 I would appreciate any advisement. My impression is they are more strict now per requirements of teaching qualifications than they once were. Thank you.

THIGV ViP

4427POSTS

6 years ago

#37

Brooky wrote:
My impression is they are more strict now per requirements of teaching qualifications than they once were. Thank you.

As far as I know, there have been no changes in requirements.聽 You must have a Baccalaureate degree and a TEFL course along with a police check (this has changed slightly over time but never went away) for a work permit.聽 However, there may be changes in enforcement.聽 If anything the rise in employment at public schools may have increased the intensity of work permit checks.聽 If the government is paying the salaries, it is natural that they will care a little more about the paperwork.

THIGV ViP

4427POSTS

6 years ago

#38

Teacher Mark wrote:
tsshapiro wrote:
Could you imagine if Gary Glitter was teaching English to children,

He was!

Truly scary and not that long ago.聽聽 Beyond the appalling story of pedophilia, one interesting tidbit from the above link was the revelation that prisoners can buy beer in the canteen in Th峄� 膼峄ヽ Prison in B矛nh Thu岷璶 Province where Glitter was imprisoned.聽 This really lifted my impression of Vietnam as a truly civilized country.聽