Do you need a Bachelor of Education to teach EFL (English as a Foreign Language) in Vietnam? I have a BEd and a TEFL certificate, so it doesn't really matter to me. I am just curious. I know Vietnam is cracking down on foreigners who lack legitimate credentials.

Okay, yes I know I should be asking this at the Fulbright subreddit. But they took down my post and asked me to ask alumni, which I already did! I’m not necessarily looking for Fullbright specific experiences, but moreso general experiences from teaching in one of the two countries. I’m looking to teach for a year or two. I can only pick one country.

My dilemma is the following:

Obviously, I know the decision boils down to myself at the end, but I would deeply appreciate more additional guidance.

For Taiwan, here are my pros and cons, and why I wish to apply:

Pros:

- Pro: I am half Chinese and would love to learn more about Taiwanese culture, their arts, especially as I have taken a prior class on Taiwan.

- Pro: This reason I would describe is more of a natural curiosity to know something I am unfamiliar with, but honestly do not have the strongest connection to as compared to my heritage of being in Vietnam.

- Pro: Statistically, people are more likely to get into the Fulbright Taiwan program.

- Pro: I would have a strong group of other Fulbrighters to be my friend and hang out.

- Pro: I would be able to get around easily without a car or personal vehicle.

- Pro: I would have the recommendation of my school’s Taiwan Studies Director of Art and Culture and stronger recommendors overall.

- Pro: Option to do this for another year?!?! Dope!!

Con:

- Con: I wouldn’t be able to save much money with the stipend being used to cover both my housing and living expenses… I would estimate I would maybe save an extra $300-400 being in Vietnam, probably more unless Taiwan is not as more expensive as I’m seeing it. My family is also low-income.

- Con: I don’t have a personal strong connection to the area and culture. That does not mean I am not curious, but that “blood-bond” and scholarly inquiry is not there.

- Con: I don’t speak Mandarin I guess.

Fulbright Vietnam:

PROS

- Pro: Heritage ties and very strong connection to the country, I have fluency of the language and have taken language classes, as well as a literature class. I have also done research on Vietnam. My interest is about an 8/10 if I had to put it on a scale, as compared to a Taiwan 6.5/10.

- Pro: My essays would probably be more stronger potentially or more biased…

- Pro; I can save money and do hella stuff… like buy cool clothes, go clubbing, and just overall have so much fun without the worry of paying hella.

Pro: Option to go for another year, potentially.

CONS

- Con: Lack of public transportation and lowkey as a half-Viet guy, Viet roads scare me…

- Con: Nonetheless, Fulbright Vietnam is more competitive with about a 8-12% less acceptance rate as compared to Taiwan:

- Con: Less recommendors for me who can specifically write about Fulbright Vietnam

- Con: Less likely to be assisted with my teaching and more likely to be expected to carry out independent lessons. Fuhhhhh. On that note, the Fulbright Cohort is much smaller (25 vs 150 in Taiwan)

Which one would you recommend for this person…? Whats pros and cons are they forgetting and have not considered for each?

Hello Everyone. I was recently offered a job with Teach Taiwan in Taoyuan. I was offered 77,000 NTD. I can't remember the exact amount, but it was around that amount. Is this amount good for the area? I know how expensive Taipei is, but I don't know much about Taoyuan. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Hello, I’ve just signed up and started to study for this qualification. In the introduction email it states that grammar is a self taught course so I have to buy a grammar book which I have. However, I’ve just started on the first module and it’s videos teaching you about grammar which means it’s not self taught imo. I assume my definition of self taught is different in this case. Is anyone able to explain how this is classed as “self taught” and how it differs from the rest of the module? Tia

A friend got a job at Vin School. He's flying out there soon for a 2 month contract. They said it's normal. They'll give him a 22 month after the 2 month probation. He thinks it's normal if they say it is but wut? Has anyone heard of this before?

Hi, I'm looking to get a 120-hour TEFL certification in order hopefully to teach in China. Before you say anything, CELTA is off the table for me for the moment and I've already checked the Wiki.

My question is about legalization: the Wiki says that you should do a course registered in the country you live in to prevent problems with legalization. The only two courses recommended by the Wiki registered in the USA are Bridge and ITA. Even Groupon courses are all registered in the UK it seems. I'm considering doing Bridge, but if it's going to be a meaningless course just to get that certification, I'm unsure if it wouldn't be wasteful to spend $400 on it. (If I could get a job with it it'd pay for itself, of course, but I'm currently unsure of my chances at that.)

So, are there any other courses registered in the USA? Also, is it really much more troublesome/expensive to get a TEFL certificate legalized in the UK when you live in the USA?

Thank you for your help.

Hello everyone. I'm a 35 year old from the Caribbean currently on the JET programme (going into my third year). I have a BA in literature and linguistics and 1 year teaching at home (I switched careers).

I would like to continue working in a highschool environment, so I'm choosing a teaching license over the distance MAs that are typically done by people in my situation.

However, I know one needs to be in a classroom setting to do this, but it can't be done in my current setting. So, I'm considering completing my 3 years here, saving aggressively, then moving to the UK to complete the one year program.

How much of a fools errand do you think this is? Has anyone done something similar successfully?

Thank you!

Good morning,

I have a question about my prospects overseas:

So I have about 2 years of adult education and am licensed in adult education (ESL, math, social studies, and business and finance . As a result I am not eligible for international schools but I do have a MLIS, a tefl cert from university of San Diego, and a bachelor in business and political science.

Am I in a bad spot? I have a temp residency in Mexico and would love to live there (or anywhere in Latin America or SEA). Am I in a bad spot? I feel like I am not a very good candidate. I just do not like the direction this country is going in and I am always so stressed and poor in the us because of my obligations and want to leave them.

I’m sure this forum has seen it plenty times before, but I just have to ask, sorry. Just how bad is English 1? I got accepted for China and while I’ve talked to several other recruiters, things just go nowhere each time. I’m worried my time is running out because I probably can’t really make it into a teaching position before the school year starts now. So… how bad is it, and why?

Also, aren’t many recruiters and schools just as disreputable in the sense that you can never really know if it will be good or not? Is English 1 truly even less trustworthy than a random recruiter/school?

And since I know there’s both positive and negative experiences; is there anyway to know the risk? Is the risk of teaching with them worth it? Can it be mitigated? Or is it really so bad that it’s never worth the risk to get a job there?

Ultimately I really want to know what about the work is so bad so I can make the best decision

Thank you!

Hi, I posted this to the mega thread but I’m not sure how often people look at that, so I’m posting it here too: I am planning on getting a 120 hr TEFL certificate (I have some med bills I have to pay for first before I'm comfortable buying a course), but I don't have any formal teaching experience. I've been told that it's better to apply for a job as an ESL teacher in China directly through a job board (like eChinacities), rather than going through a recruiter or placement program. But I've been looking at jobs and a lot of them require at least 1 yr experience teaching, even with a TEFL certificate and a bachelor's. Is there a good chance I could still get one of those jobs, or should I go through a recruiter/ program? For reference, i am 24F USA citizen. I have a BA in creative writing and I minored in a foreign language. What do you guys think?

I'll be working at HESS in Taiwan soon and feel slightly worried that I've made a mistake. I feel like I'll be working harder and for less money than I could be making in China. I also worry that I'll get way less holidays compared to what I could get in China. Another thing is that I'll likely be working with young kids and have to do the performative, sing-songy type teaching. I feel like I'd hate this and would prefer middle school age.

I've already booked my flight to Taiwan and will move there in a few weeks. I'm considering bailing on it and applying for China jobs instead. Not sure if I should do this or just go ahead with the Taiwan job.

For those who have worked in both, which was better in terms of work culture and workload?

I live in the US and did my tefl online about 6 years ago. The company I used was bought out but the new company issued me another certificate. The new company is from the UK. Is there any way of getting the tefl apostille without mailing the doc to the uk?

Thank you

Hi all! I’m looking to teach abroad for a year or two between finishing my MA and starting a PhD. For my field, advisors have told me that teaching abroad can show potential programs dedication, cultural fluency, and language experience. I planned to do a PhD this fall but it didn’t work out, so I decided to look into the TEFL. I’m looking to simply go abroad and get some teaching experience, I’m not too picky in regards to country or salary, but I’d prefer a Spanish speaking country (I know Spain is hard). For my goals does the TEFL seem worth it or am I better of a looking for other opportunities? For context I’m American and have a masters degree and some teaching experience (~2 years as a part of my graduate degree).

Hi, I'm looking into working abroad in China, Japan, or South Korea to teach English. I'm doing quite a bit of research and am getting mixed advice on this subject: Should I apply directly to a job posting or join a job placement program? The Wiki went over this subject briefly, but I'd like to get some feedback from experienced ESL teachers.

My guess is that the difference is between experience. I have no professional experience with these countries and could probably benefit from a support network; but I'm also worried about the restrictions and additional commitments a placement program might require. Is it possible to prepare for a job independently, with thorough research and determination?

Not sure what other information about me might be relevant, so just a very brief background: I am a 24F USA citizen. I am prepared to get a TEFL certificate, and I have a bachelor's degree in creative writing. I also studied a foreign language (Italian) in college and have some certificates related to that. Let me know if you guys need any additional info!

Hello everyone!

I’d like to ask Europeans for some advice — if anyone happens to have relevant information.

Is it realistic to find a job as an English teacher in various European countries? I'm currently considering several options for relocation across Europe.

I already hold a TEFL certificate, and I’ll soon be completing my master's degree — specifically, from a Polish university + C1 certificate (CAE)

Given this background, can I realistically expect to find teaching positions in different European countries? And what kind of salary range would be reasonable to expect?

Thank you in advance 🙏🏻

Hello, I have qualified my CELTA with a Pass B and am trying my luck at jobs abroad (no teaching experience yet but what's the harm right). I am south asian. I notice that along with a CELTA requirement, they mention an IELTS band 7.5 atleast. I have a masters in english literature, and even though I know that is not an equivalent, I was wondering how tight of an IELTS requirement is for jobs abroad. Should I take the IELTS exam to have a better shot at these jobs? I ask because it is quite pricey. Thank you for any information!

34, American currently working at a cake university gig in Chengdu. Around one year experience, 120 h tefl with unrelated bachelor’s degree. I have a good thing going in China, but my plan was always at some point bounce over to Japan to teach. But it’s hard to get over the mental hurdle that it feels like it would be a step down lifestyle wise, am I right to think, in general that I will work more and make less money in Japan? Tackling the language is the fun part of the challenge so going with little language skills in Japanese is not factored as a negative. I don’t feel too old for tefl yet but moving to a new country for a 4th time gets harder each time as I get older sigh

Torn between acceptance that Ive had the chance to do so many great things living abroad the last 6 years and settle or continue on with bucket list things.

Would love to hear experiences of teaching in Japan especially people who have done both.

Has anyone ever successful modified their student visa to cuenta ajena as autónomo for giving private English lessons?

Edit: higher education student visa

Hi everyone I recently accepted a job in China and they are not accepting my TEFL because it does not come with online verification. They are recommending to do a $300 one in China but there are other ones available for less than $50. Could anyone recommend one that is US baed that has online verification.

Thank you

A teaching centre in Xiamen,China has offered me a 25k salary but its split into two contracts. The salary on the first contract is 12k and the salary on the second contract is 13k.

My recruiter says that the 13k income is not taxable and the 12k one is. Is this a normal thing or should I avoid this school?

The centre is called 科晓兔 , I dont know the English name, but if anyone has heard of it, I'd love to know more

Writing this before going to bed but I am (22M) have my first TEFL online session this Saturday and am eager to get started on it. But I have a few questions generally about Job availability once finishing the course and how guarantee the most success in finding the most ideal placement.

I have watched a few videos detailing the work culture in Japan as well as generally what to expect pay wise. but outside a somewhat brief conversation I had with a English Teacher in Shibuya last time I visited I don't really know what to expect.

Something that has been really bothering me is the reality of me actually teaching English in Japan and if it is something that is open to a lot of people or a field with relatively little opportunity. Social media tells me al sorts especially accounts trying to promote immigration to Japan but if anyone has any insights or tips on how to jobs search for japan please I would love any sort of advice.

Edit: (I do have a bachelors Degree)

PIDI gave me a preliminary match earlier in the month then said no response from the school, so they were sending my file out in a different city. I haven't heard a peep from Teach Taiwan at all. Is this normal?

Hello,

I earned my 168 hour TEFL certification back in May and started applying for jobs in China since then. At this point, I've only acquired one offer from a school in Changwu county however, it is not desirable for me to be in such a rural area... Multiple recruiters have flat out refused to work with me stating it is hard for Asian teachers to find a school in China. I've read about this online but experiencing it is one of the most discouraging roadblocks I have faced in my life. This week, I began opening my prospects towards S. Korea despite the negative sentiment that I've read regarding ESL work over there. I think it will be worth while to get some experience under my belt.

I feel as though I am quite qualified. I possess a B.A. from the University of Washington and a TEFL both already apostilled. I am only waiting on my background check to return to me in the mail Apostilled. I also have experience with K-6 youth although not in a teaching role. I also passed the HSK level 4 exam and am confident in my Chinese proficiency. I really do not want to give up on my goals but this month has been the most stressed I have been in recent times. I truly hope I haven't missed the mark on a hire before the end of this year.

Hi! I wanted to post to see if others have had any similar experiences to me or can offer some advice? I'm a 25F and I currently work a normal 9-5 corporate job in Chicago. But I've just been feeling a little stuck in my current corporate job and in my normal bubble of life. Currently I've been really wanting to travel the world and experience life in a new or cooler way.

I've been really considering getting the 120 hour TEFL course to start teaching aboard. One thing I'm worried about is after leaving my job and how it would look after teaching abroad if I wanted to go back to my job. Has anyone taken a few years off to teach aboard and comeback to corporate America? Any insights would be so helpful!