₦airaland Forum

One more thing before I go for today...I get slide to prepare against tomorrow and it's already 10pm

People have been asking if it's advisable to take the in-class TEFL course here or elsewhere.

I'd say if you have the money, you can take it. But if my sister or brother asks me, I'd say don't spend your money on that.

It's your choice really.

Some are worried about getting experience but let me tell you this, in-class is just 2 weeks to 1 month and that's not even enough experience to prepare you.

I did online TEFL and look at me now. I look back and laugh at the first classes I taught and I'm still learning 5 months later! Itkeeps getting better. You just gotta be smart and learn and pick up new things quickly.

That's why I said be willing to start small and grow.

Since I came here, not up to 3 schools have asked me whether my TEFL is online or in-class.

The ones who do are the big shots and only take westerners anyway.

Others are more concerned about your experience and accent and yes they will ask if you have TEFL but I don't know whether it's to fulfill righteous or something.

So again, it's your choice. If you have the money, take in-class.
If you don't, be smart and learn on the go
You can decide to take the in-class too later after some months.

It's all your choice

TopeQs:
seconded.

WhyNa, I'm "puppy eyeball" begging...
Biko, come back...

See me here. Lol

If you ask me what the one thing I'm grateful I bought in Vietnam is, I'd say my motorbike. That guy has saved me and enabled me take jobs and keep jobs too. I don't even want to get started on the cost saving.

Two weeks ago, I sha had a terrible accident. My family doesn't even know. Lol.

The guy that caused the accident zoomed off. I landed hard on the floor after somersaulting of my bike. Naija pikin sha strong, female or male plus God's not dead and He has me in mind steady. I sustained just a little bruise.

The other Vietnamese woman sha had it bad. Her legs were hurt badly.

Long story short, people gathered, woman's husband came, they rushed her to hospital, my bike was damaged, plenty Vietnamese language everywhere, police came, one hour turned to three hours (11pm). I just said a silent prayer to God to speak for me

Finally, English speaker was sighted. They said I should pay for the hospital bill. I first asked them these questions

Where is the money?
Where's the guy that caused the accident?
I was lucky to not have been injured. If I was, would you be asking me to pay hospital bill? Who would have paid mine
Finally, I no get job or money.

Then they said police wants to carry the bike as evidence.

I said sha kukuma take with you because I don't know where I am, how will I get home? Where will I sleep by this time?


They said bring your passport, I said I don't have it with me.

Finally, God did speak for me and they said I should say sorry and go!


Grace!

Honestly, It's been God.

Let me quickly share a testimony here.

All these while I was updating and answering mails, I was in a terrible shape emotional and mental wise.

My mum was lying critically ill in the hospital for 3 good months. Like we had lost her cos all her organ shut down. I'm talking liver, kidneys and heart. No jokes.

But again God said NO. Mercy said NO.

My mum is Hale and hearty now, back home receiving spa treatment and sending BBC on WhatsApp again �

I'm a testimony of God's awesome goodness and it's evident in all areas of my life honestly.

Please take a moment to just say Thank you Jesus in your heart on behalf of my mum. Thanks

Yesterday, the authorities confirmed a new Covid-19 case in Da Nang. They have already started bombarding us with text messages about precautions.

All the people who were in contact with the man have been located and tested and this is within two days o.

However, the source hasn't been located because the said man did not travel so he had to have gotten it from someone. That's what they are tracing now.

This would only make the borders remain closed for a longer time.

However, some people are still able to enter because a woman told me her bosses flew in and are in quarantine so I guess it's not a total no entry matter. If you have something important to do here, they will allow you in..

So I stopped on Thursday last week, on Friday the next day, I got an offer. I was to come for observations #rollseyes for a week then start fully next month.

Meanwhile after spending a week at the place I quit, I contacted the centers I left and they said I could come back and take my job cos it's still available.

I sha observed for one week(this week) and taught but I wasn't feeling the place mehn. But I mellow cos that's what I had in hand and I hadn't gotten another.

On Thursday, I went to cover a class and immediately I stepped into that Center, I loved the place. I was just at peace there. Before I finished teaching, they offered me the job with mouth watering pay but the challenge now is, they are new so for now, they just have four classes in a week.

They begged me to stay while they work on getting students and more classes for me.

So ayam torn right now as to which to accept. I know you'd say the one with a great pay but because they don't have enough classes, I won't get in a month, what I'll get with these other guys...at least make I recover the money wey I spend on rent. At the same time, I can't let this one go.

I'm still contacting other Centers cos there are lots of jobs everywhere and hoping and praying I find something to either fill the other days or a totally different and great place I have one week to decide

So I just moved to the next building. Same province and all. Just the next tower

The morning I was to start the job, as early as 5am, dude replies and bombards me with calls and texts saying LEAVE NOW and telling me all sorts.

Ah! Leave bawo? Me that just packed load and moved about 40kms. How I wan take move? In my mind I said it's either it's not as bad as he's making it sound or if it's bad, I endure and work for two months, collect salary and japa. I was wrong

First day, after class, I saw half of what the guy warned me about.

Second day, same

I started dreading work, it wasn't funny. In my mind, I went from 2 months to 1 month but for where? Complain complain.

3 weeks later, I LEFT!

Thankfully, I still had my weekend job though far but again, thank God I have a motorbike!

The same day I stopped, I got my own apartment and with the 3 weeks salary and a little more, I paid 3 months rent and and deposit equivalent to 4 months rent!

Wow!

Hey guys. It's actually good to see some interactions on the thread. Contrary to what some think, that's not the reason for my silence. As I once told someone, over here, a lot can can happen in a day talk more of a week or month!

So what have I been up to.....


The last time I posted, I think I had just accepted a new job offer and moved to a very serene and beautiful apartment and environment. Well.....I left the job!


So before I accepted that job, I had two offers, one was to begin in August, the other was to begin immediately and ...oh 3 sorry. The other offered a poor salary. I remember telling you guys it felt good replying and declining their offer.

Now here, it's not all rosy. Some managers and employees can be nasty so when you get a job offer, be sure to make research on Facebook and ask questions. You're not the first person working for them and chances are, someone has reviewed them...good or bad at one point in time.

Some days before I accepted this job, I saw a bad review about the school. I immediately reached out and said I'm sorry but I'm no longer interested.

They replied with screenshots telling their side of the story on how the said guy doesn't show up to classes and all which is pretty common behaviour for westerners here.

I decided to send a message to the guy to ask him his side of the story and for details. No reply came, I moved...

Goddys:
Bro, I don't think Sebastein is a scammer but I won't advise you go to that school. It's not recognised under global university ranking.

The proposed curriculum is unclear to me and you will sign a contract to the effect you won't leave the school and enrol in another school until you graduate.

The crucial points I picked after conversing with him are:

*The school places students on an elongated internships and part time jobs. You may not determine how much your stipend may be since it's part of the academic programme. What if the school management reached an agreement with some firms to outsource their students for a fee to the school account which will automatically affect the student's stipend?

*You will pay between $2500-3000 for visa procurement but my understanding is that this is actually 50% tuition waiver if you go through the website where they listed tuition fee. I AM NOT SURE schools demand that much for visa processing. I THOUGHT school's assistance in processing of visa is automatic on the conditions of granting of admission and payment of tuition.

*A school without global ranking on google may not convince your future employer that the school is legit.

My opinion

Good research

judecares1:
Thanks for this observation. I contacted this school last week and the guy in charge of recruiting international student is from Cameroon,I was told same thing but was scared if he might be a scammer,hence I decided not to make any down payment. What do you suggest? Should I go ahead and make the payment or forgot about it considering how we have lots of scammers over there

I don't know him personally, but his gal is a known person amongst blacks here. She makes our hair. They stay together and he's a lecturer at the school. They are Cameroonians. We all gist and chow together whenever I go there

VirusOO7:
Please ma, where do you recommend we get a medical report when the time comes of course?

I got mine from LUTH but I think any hospital is fine as long as all details and tests are clearly stated

tolukunle:
Pls give a response to this.

I'm not into cars. Till date, I don't even know the name of the car my father drives

I've heard of people who went to other countries from here. However, I can only speak for what I'm very sure of

Yes you can come with your family. Na your money

azubix:
Nwanyi oma we missed you.

It's not been easy jare. Been really busy

VirusOO7:
From a source, they're working. Only that some of the workers are working from home. And moreover, it isn't just the embassy you should be worried about. How about other offices?

It's looking like borders will remain closed till September here so I'd advise anyone going for police report and medical report to hold on as their validity is just 3 months.

You can go ahead and authenticate your documents if the ministries and embassy is open

Adeyemi09:
I will like you to shed more light on this area
1) you said Vietnam is Visa on arrival, why then did you go to Vietnam embassy.
2) what role did Vietnam embassy play in acquiring your Visa
3)what are the documents you took to Vietnam embassy
4)please this is important. What is flight fees from Lagos to Vietnam.
Thanks as you answer my questions.

1) Authentication of my documents
2) None. However, you can can choose to get your passport stamped at the Embassy AFTER YOU'VE GOTTEN YOUR VISA FROM VIETNAM
3( Police report, TEFL, passport, Degree certificate,
4) It varies bro. Check Turkish airlines, Qatar, Ethiopian airlines and co

uchman:
You are doing wonderfully fine, please dont banter words with anybody.
This is how they kill promising threads like this...

Thanks for your time and effort

Thanks bro.

Sometimes comments like this make me want to stop writing all together but then I remember how some threads I was following back then died cos of stuff like this and I couldn't get info again even if it was just for reading and knowledge pleasure.

Ca4real:
Don't mind her, she brought up the adventure and hoping for people to pm her. So she will be the agent that's why she is not answering questions..
If u know u know....

It's people like you that blindly follow one eyed people and land in a ditch.

The only thing I can say is "Please apply to the embassy and come back and tell us your story"

You think Vietnam is UK and Germany and co that has straight forward websites and procedures. Even Americans get their visa from Vietnam talk more of Nigeria. Mtchwww.

LadyHeaven:
Thanks for a wonderful thread sis, please can one write the exams and come over to teach English without an education related degree?

Yes. Any degree is fine as long as you have a TEFL

azubix:
@WhyNa seriously i dey jealous you, you are doing well, ooin.

The path of the righteous is guided by the Lord and it shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.

All I can say is more wins. Going through your profile, it's obvious you have fought the good fight of faith lol, researching from one country another, applying and looking out for oppourtinties. You didn't give up, your efforts and hard work deserve a reward and that you are enjoying, surly more will come.

Nne I was almost giving up due to my inability to meet up with my tuition fee with the short time but seeing your post now, surly I will fight on.

Thanks for going ahead and assuring us that it is posible and fruitful. Imagine making in a month what you make in a year in Nigeria. God is by your side.

For the rest of us, lets keep fighting and pushing, God go surly pick out call.

. Thanks. Honestly there were times I felt like giving up but I kept pushing.

Don't relent. Whether for Vietnam or another country

Alexbaby12:
Tnx Sister, I've been following d thread ND be enjoyed d information I got. So I got interest in teaching in Vietnam.
My question s: do they accept HND cert. to teach in their school?
If so, I'd proceed with my plan..

You won't get a visa and work permit with HND

TopeQs:
WhyNa... nice post.


I didn't want to quote your long Post, it was very informative.


I want to ask about the TEFL though, I think you advised not to do it in Nigeria, so how did you go about yours?

Please check. This question has been answered in detail

EbonyCy:
They don't wear uniforms over there...I mean the students?

Some of them. Mostly the public schools

Hey guys, it's been a minute. There really are no new pictures to post or share for now...at least until the travel restriction is lifted or I take time to go on vacation. For now, it's pay now, play later.


In the meantime, here's some information on teaching here...

1) Get a laptop before or immediately you get here. It will not only help search, scroll through and apply for jobs easily, but will also help preparing for classes, either lesson plans or power point presentation and also downloading loooots of baby shark and the likes videos.

2) Learn to ride and get a motorbike when you get here! You may get lucky and get a job within walking distance from your house. Some schools also give you a bike if you can ride. Free lunch is also a thing here if you work in a school. Asides school, it will help in moving from point A to point B. Church, school (s), supermarket, friend's place etc. You won't see people walking around here except they're jogging or just going across the street

3) Lesson plans and PPT. Their textbook here is of course different from ours and there are lots of them. Here, the children first learn objects and in-between, alphabets and co. They don't start from the basic ABC. If you're lucky, the school or center you work with will prepare the PPT and send to you. You just need to add and adjust to suit your style. Centers generally from experience don't require lesson plan, just PPT. Schools on the other hand may require a lesson plan and in some cases, PPT. It all depends. One of the schools I currently teach in is a bit tough. They believe solely on TPR so no laptops, no video, nothing. Just prep your lesson plan for the week, use flash card and teach. The other Center however is perfect and sends me the PPT for all the lessons. I just add some little things and focus more on how to sing and act those if you're happy and you know it videos before class. So I'm gradually adjusting. These things are easy to prepare so don't be scared

4) Kindergarten, Grade school, Teenagers or Adult? Well, it all depends on what you're comfortable with. They all have their adv and disadv. For me, the grade school and teenagers which is like 6-17years is perfect.
If you're teaching kindergarten, you'll teach a class for just 30 minutes at a time. It's a bit easier to teach them cos they learn only alphabets, objects, phonics, number, basic how are you, happy, scared, my name is. On the other hand, it requires a lot of patience, repetition and patience.. As in Nigeria, you'll see the ones that just keep staring at you, the ones that can't talk well yet, the ones that like gum body, the ones that like pinching and kicking you, the one that like poking their nose and giving you high five and then the brainy ones that leave you asking why they all can't be like that.. Sigh....the joys and tears. Lol
The grade school is wayyy better. They already know the basic things and they're learning to read and make sentences and learn new words. Only downside which really isn't anything...their noise and playfulness. Here you don't beat or punish so you have to devise a means to call their attention back and keep them in check. I love this age group. Yesterday, the AC was too cold and none of them could talk until one brave one said "teacher cool" and demonstrated. LMAO. They've learnt warm and cool. Also, this group, you have to play looots of games and videos for them
The teenagers are more chill. These ones are a bit advanced depending on the school or center and you teach a higher topic and some bigger words. Also, here the focus is usually on speaking. I also love teaching this group. The games you play with them should also not be same with the grade school. No need for videos here. Know your onions before going to class. This is also the stage where they prepare for IELTS and there are Centers solely for teaching IELTS English. They are hot cake too
Adults. Their wahala can be too much. Yes you also play games with these ones believe it or not. For adult classes, it may be a business class like people in the medical profession or IT, or a mixed class or people who just started learning late. I tried this twice and it's not my calling. Lol

5) Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi.
Generally, there are more teaching jobs in these two cities which are the biggest and busiest in Vietnam but I'm not sure I'd want to move back to Hanoi which is where I was for the past 4 months. I really can't speak much on other provinces but I'd like to think they are similar to what I'm currently experiencing now. I know Hung Yen, Lao Cai, Da Nang, Viet Tri are pretty cool provinces to live and teach in. Yes you'll also find teaching jobs in schools here. It's more beautiful, quiet, and calm in these provinces. As cheap as Vietnam is, it's even cheaper in the provinces. It's less crowded, cleaner and without traffic.

6) Working hours. Kindergarten classes generally are 30 minutes long and when you work for a school, you teach between 80-100 hours a month. You are paid for overtime. Other levels, you teach per hour. Each class is between one hour to one hour 45 minutes. One hour and one hour 30 minutes is more common and you're paid based on how many hours you teach. For schools, you get paid on the 15th of each month. Some pay on the 5th. Centers usually pay weekly or after each class. Fees range from $8 (please don't accept this) -$20 for blacks. Yes you heard right. Initially I thought only natives can earn this high but that's what one of my schools pay me and a class is 1hr30m so that $30 dollars per class. @Azubix can confirm this. so aim high. The highest I've seen them offer a native is $25 dollars I think.
Like me, you can try to find two full time jobs. Monday to Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was entirely God's grace honestly but you can get something similar. If you're accepting a full time job, accept Monday to Friday so you can find something during the weekend or at least rest. Please seek opinion and read careful any contract before signing. Currently, I make in a month what I made in a year in Nigeria. I may even change again after two months, let me learn a different system first

SO WOULD I ADVISE SOMEONE TO COME TO VIETNAM?


The answer is a big yes!


Start small
Learn fast
Move fast
Don't relent
Aim high
Settle in

sKeetz:
Hello WhyNa,

Thanks for the good job you're doing here. How big is the IT sector in vietnam? Is there a demand for programmers? Your answer is highly appreciated.

I really don't know but if it's possible, then they have people here already and English I think is one of the highest if not the highest paying job here

azubix:
I just chatted up the school admission rep on WhatsApp and these where his response to me. It also seems its strickly hotel that must be used and you must pay the $1,400 before they start processing visa. Read below...

""""The quarantine fee is used when you first arrive to Vietnam so it will be paid to us (FPT University) then we will arrange that for students
Actually when we receive the quarantine fee from students, we will send it to the relevant authority, we will not keep it
We need to inform the immigration office about your quarantine when we submit documents for visa approval letter from here in Vietnam
So everything must be done before processing visa in Vietnam
We can't process visa if the quarantine fee is not paid, that is decision from the Vietnamese goverment and we also have to follow in my opinion, you should start your online studying first, it is no need to process visa from now, it can be done by end of year (like you said that you will come here that time)
We know this, even our dormitory was donated for quarantine zone 2 months ago, but for now, we can't use them.
It is quite sad for us
I myself can do 1 thing now which is praying""""""

Hmmm. Guess the rule changes. It was optional before.

That's quite expensive sha considering accommodation and food is cheap

SkyOne11:
hmm that makes sense. Wise thinking. Thanks for sharing your thought. azubix

Azubix, please send a message to the school. Getting quarantined in a four star hotel is optional. If you get quarantined in the military designated zone, it's free

Also, as a student, your working hours would be limited so I don't know the possibility of saving $500.

Just try and do the maths sha.

Yesterday, I had to see a dermatologist cos I was having someone reactions. I was sort of worried cos I needed to beat Hanoi traffic and get back to class in time.

I didn't spend up to 30 minutes there. I didn't even seat for a total of 5 minutes. Everything was sooo fast.

I paid for consultation, them print slip give me, Went upstairs,waited for 1 minute, saw doctor, talked, examined, diagnosed, prescribed drugs and I went down and paid for drugs and cream.

He also noted I shouldn't bath with soap. The other time I went to a pharmacy for over the counter boil treatment (you should watch out for this if you're like me and react to water in a new environment). I was asked not to eat chicken and sticky rice

Protecting your body during summer

Please do not make the same mistake I made twice. DRESS like the ninjas you see on the street!. About from making your skin darker, it's also dangerous and you could get heat stroke

I started wearing just a long sleeve after my last post about this but notice where the long sleeve ended and where my wrist watch stays. You should notice 3 different colours.

My neck and face don black finish

On how to find jobs

Someone asked me this question earlier in the thread.

It's really simple.

Package a good CV. Leave all the experience you had in Nigeria for last even if you worked with the governor. Put the school experience first, draft a cover letter, always mention you have TEFL in your mail and the type of visa. They prefer long term teachers. Join Facebook groups and send out as many as you can when you can. Facebook

Another way is by recommendation. Either from a friend who knows a vacancy exists or someone leaving the job.

If any of you were here, I would have pushed the part time jobs to you for a start and learning process.

Schooling


On the issue of schooling, I do not know much and cannot authoritatively speak on it. However, some days ago, someone mentioned a particular school was looking to accept foreign students as a way to integrate and help their student learn English better.

She mentioned it's a four year course in either E-commerce or business infotech and it comes with a part time job. it's also ridiculously cheap. I think it's not up to $2000 for the four years. I can't remember.

I don't know if links are accepted so here's a screenshot. Go to the website, read through, send mails and get more info.

On this note, please don't DM me asking for information that is already on this thread. Please. It's not me snubbing. I take out time and my heart and write these things only for people not to read but come inbox like VVIP and request same info. Please understand.

If there is a question that wasn't answered on the school's website, then you can post questions here and I'll ask the lady. Her guy teaches there so the info would be accurate but first, check it out and see if it's something you'd like to embark on

If I haven't replied your mail yet, I'll get to it in time as I have tons of messages


DISCLAIMER:
I don't work with this school, I don't know the guy personally.
So please do your research thoroughly and carefully before you do anything

OYENIYIJK:
You are the real slay queen!!! With the rate you do get job over there, it shows they cherish English, do you mind telling us your field of study? What did you study in Nigeria before going there. English?

I can't say specifically cos I want to stay anon as much as I can but it's sciences

dreaonit:
Nice job I must say. You're the best @whyna. Can you pls confirm possibilities of studying and working.

I'll come to that later please. I got some new info I'll share