So we've been here for a little over month, doing our thing. But what exactly is that? This post is a bit of insight into what it is that we actually do to earn some moola over here.
Firstly, for most of you out there who don't know anything about teaching English abroad, you get two kinds of teaching positions. There are posts at schools (public or private), and there are posts at language centres (all private). The 'school teacher' posts are at regular schools with regular working hours (07:40 - 16:30, Monday - Friday). Here, you may not even teach English as a subject, but rather another subject (like Science), but your lessons are in english. You are a teacher by the common definition, which we all love and know from our own, fond (or not so fond) memories of our time at school. These schools are really cool, because you are guaranteed a set salary (you are at school for business hours, if you are not teaching - a 'free' - you are generally planning or marking), they offer certain stability (you know your hours and your classes are with the same children throughout your time there) and you have your weekends free. We, however, are not 'school teachers', and don't enjoy these privileges. But before you feel too sorry for us, check out what our 'language centre' posts entail.
Language centres are institutions that (duh) only teach a specific language. In most cases here in Ho Chi Minh, they teach English. Some language centres have contracts with public schools, and send teachers to these schools every week to teach an English class. Mel goes to two different public schools during the week with this kind of arrangement. This teaching can be quite difficult, because the classes are big (30+ students) and the resources are as good as non-existent. These lessons are all about pronunciation and talking, and the schools do not encourage games (only the greatest part of our new jobs!!), so the lessons are usually quite boring - for both the teacher and the students - and are difficult to get through - again, for both the teacher and the students. They follow the government curriculum, but the English teacher is mainly there for talking, not necessarily teaching language and rules. Another downside is that you have to travel to the schools to teach, and are not always compensated for your travel expenses. But the money per hour is pretty good, and makes this option a fairly attractive one.
The other option when teaching through a language centre, is teaching at their private campuses. These lessons generally take place in the evenings (usually teenagers and adults after school or work and until about 21:00 - 21:30) and on weekends (usually young children who are at school during the week). Because of the timing of these lessons, the focus is predominantly on fun. The students must want to go to English lessons, and learning must happen almost without them realising it. These language centres can be very 'hit-and-miss'. In fact, out of the two that Mel works at, one is fantastic, while the other is disorganised and can be a very difficult institution to work for. We will focus on the positive, efficient one for the purpose of this post.
The language centres generally follow their preferred curriculums, and the resources are incredible! Every lesson is roughly planned for you (you just need to make it come alive with your personal teaching techniques), there are interactive activities built into the computer-based presentations (including sound clips, songs with lyrics and games) and coloured, laminated flash cards are organised by book, unit and lesson. The classes are generally between 20 and 25 students, and all classrooms are fitted with an aircon and a fan. There is a teaching assistant (TA) in the class at all times for lessons with young learners - usually a Vietnamese student - and they help with group activities, discipline, translating (only if necessary) and general maintenance of the class behaviour. (There is no TA for teenager and adult classes.) You work in conjunction with a Vietnamese English teacher, who teaches most of the theory/language and grammar rules. The students have two lessons a week, one with the Vietnamese teacher, and one with you - the 'foreigner teacher'. These teachers also administer and mark most of the tests, and help to compile a report upon completion of the course.
Appearance is very important here in Vietnam, and you certainly have to look the part as a professional English teacher. Men are expected to wear a collared shirt and tie, dress pants and dress shoes. Ladies must have their shoulders and backs covered, have a high-cut collar, may wear dresses or skirts (which must fall below the knee), or pants (these cannot be three quarter length, but must cover to the ankle) and appropriate shoes (no slops).
As was mentioned earlier, you are paid per hour, so you ideally want as many hours as possible. However, when you first arrive, you (obviously) don't get designated many hours. Once you stick around for a while and prove yourself, more hours will hopefully be sent your way. Every now and then you are sent a message asking you to cover another teacher's lesson, and these are nice little bonus hours should you accept them.
So now you (hopefully) have an idea of how these two little birdies are earning their keep. Photos of our classes to follow soon.
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