I need advices...

Chocosko wrote:

Getting a degree in Italy, not counting books,  would cost me 5000 USD if i manage to get it within 3 years. Will it cost me less if i try to get a degree in Vietnam? Also is there any international university in Saigon that would release the degree that i need?

You are fortunate that you do not live in the US where 5000 USD would maybe pay tuition for one semester only at a second tier public university.  There may be degree programs given with instruction entirely in English in Vietnam but I do not know of them.   Maybe others do.  With respect to a general program, it is like the problem of restaurant work.  How will you follow the lecturer if he is speaking Vietnamese?

THIGV wrote:

Chocosko wrote:

Getting a degree in Italy, not counting books,  would cost me 5000 USD if i manage to get it within 3 years. Will it cost me less if i try to get a degree in Vietnam? Also is there any international university in Saigon that would release the degree that i need?

You are fortunate that you do not live in the US where 5000 USD would maybe pay tuition for one semester only at a second tier public university.  There may be degree programs given with instruction entirely in English in Vietnam but I do not know of them.   Maybe others do.  With respect to a general program, it is like the problem of restaurant work.  How will you follow the lecturer if he is speaking Vietnamese?

Indeed, i think i wouldn't be able to learn anything from someone that speaks only vietnamese. I guess life hasn't been too kind with me and i am blocked here forever with my poverty.. unless, like you said, i try the path as an ESL teacher. I would accept any amount of money as long as i can buy food and pay for the rent. Right now my financial situation is truly the lowest and if i keep this pace i might as well just die. Do you think IELTS and TEFL has any kind of use for my current situation?

Hysticali wrote:

Sutherland University teaches in Saigon and courses are in English

Thanks.  I forgot that RMIT is another option.  To Chocosko:  It would have its ups and downs but you probably could work in ESL "illegally" to support yourself while working on a degree.  Don't worry too much about it as a majority of ESL teachers in the country don't have a work permit anyway.  Just go for it.

THIGV wrote:

Don't worry too much about it as a majority of ESL teachers in the country don't have a work permit anyway.  Just go for it.

Oh no THIGV !     This is the first time I read something like that from you.   

Ciambella wrote:

THIGV wrote:

Don't worry too much about it as a majority of ESL teachers in the country don't have a work permit anyway.  Just go for it.

Oh no THIGV !     This is the first time I read something like that from you.   

A while back there was a discussion about the general forum rules that say that posters may not advocate anything illegal.  The consensus, that even the moderators had to accede to, was that certain practices were so common in Vietnam that it is nearly impossible to describe the country without mentioning them.  Besides the fact that a majority of ESL teachers have no work permit, including many who meet the qualifications, imagine discussing motorbike driving in Vietnam without describing paying 200,000 bribes to the police when you are stopped.  It would be a better world if all ESL instructors had degrees and the CS didn't support their families through extortion, but it sadly is not the reality.

THIGV wrote:

It would be a better world if ....

I understand that very well.  Just kinda surprise because I've been seeing you as the stronghold for teacher education and principles.   

Ciambella wrote:

I understand that very well.  Just kinda surprise because I've been seeing you as the stronghold for teacher education and principles.   

I know but in fact the current qualifications don't really make sense either.  Ideally, ESL teachers should have degrees in education and/or EFL but that is way beyond possible.  The current requirement for any Bachelor's degree can mean some unsuitable people end up teaching anyway.  The worst teacher I ever encountered owned a chain type (like HR Block) tax franchise in Canada.  His accountant personality was entirely wrong for teaching but he was qualified on paper.  His evening adult class rebelled against him and complained to management.  He had plans to work seasonally and to return to Canada at tax time but I don't know that he ever came back to Vietnam after he left.  The best teachers that I encountered were Filipino teachers who held real education degrees (some were MEd's) and  retired teachers from the US and Australia.  If I were a young fellow looking to establish an ESL business, I would really target early retired teachers, about 50 year olds, from English speaking countries.  They are more skilled than the fresh out of college fellows looking for travel adventure and they will give you a much better turnover rate.

johnross23 wrote:

You should also be good-looking and extroverted and play a ukulele.

Has to be ukulele?  No accordion or maracas?

Ciambella wrote:

johnross23 wrote:

You should also be good-looking and extroverted and play a ukulele.

Has to be ukulele?  No accordion or maracas?   

Well, anything that can enhance one's performance is a bonus. However, the ukulele combines portability and versatility in a way that those other instruments cannot.

Doing magic tricks is another thing that can be used.

At the very least, a teacher should be able and willing to do the Hokey Pokey. 

johnross23 wrote:

At the very least, a teacher should be able and willing to do the Hokey Pokey. 

As long as he's not a wanna-be juggler.  I've met a few ready, willing, but not-quite-able jugglers in my time.  For a few months after watching the last one, I sported a scar on my forehead for a memento.

Ciambella wrote:

johnross23 wrote:

You should also be good-looking and extroverted and play a ukulele.

Has to be ukulele?  No accordion or maracas?

A great way to end up on the blacklist, I hear... 😁

Did you hear about the foreigner musician who attempted to bring her accordion into Vietnam?

She was denied entry and returned to her country.

All 12 accordions she "owned" (according to customs and immigration) were sent back with her...

🤣

Chocosko wrote:

Also, i "illegaly" kind of already taught english to kids in my life. I used to have kids come over to my house to teach them english and help them with homeworks.

Remember that it is homework (uncountable and hence singular.)  It seems that you understand but you haven't really internalized the concept.  Maybe your best bet is to try to intensively improve your English while still in Italy seeking help where you can, keep up the informal teaching if you have time, and think about Vietnam in a few more years.

Chocosko wrote:

i  kind of already taught english to kids in my life

It is risky for anyone to dash off to live in a foreign country. You increase chance of failure.

My suggestion: Make a plan to try Vietnam in a year, maybe two. Get another boring job or two jobs so you can afford to prepare for a better job. Consider commuting farther for more job opportunities. Vacation places need waiters. Fancy restaurants probably pay more. Learn how to be a better, more professional waiter. Cut your expenses. Live at home. Or maybe Sicily is too small, consider lots of things.

Meanwhile, you like teaching, look for opportunities to teach English in your city. There will be full time and part time substitute teacher jobs. I hear there are a few new refugees in Italy. Maybe there are government programs (and jobs) to educate them. Or NGOs might need help teaching too since they are responsible for loading the  boats. Figure out the qualifications you need.  If no paying jobs, then volunteer teach for the experience and satisfaction. Look into teaching English online, there are quite a few companies, maybe a degree is not necessary. Network, Facebook groups for teachers, etc.

There are tons of online colleges now. Maybe you can qualify for scholarship. Think big, think long term. Even joining the military might be an option if they can give you an education during or after. Ok good luck, go get 'em. 

THIGV wrote:

Hysticali wrote:

Sutherland University teaches in Saigon and courses are in English

Thanks.  I forgot that RMIT is another option.  To Chocosko:  It would have its ups and downs but you probably could work in ESL "illegally" to support yourself while working on a degree.  Don't worry too much about it as a majority of ESL teachers in the country don't have a work permit anyway.  Just go for it.

You’re encouraging people breaking the law? Tsk ...tsk...

QuidProQuo wrote:

You’re encouraging people breaking the law? Tsk ...tsk...

See my #11 above.     I guess I have been at least partially broken down in the face of reality.

By the way, I see that you stated that you are living in the Cayman Islands.  As that is an English speaking country I doubt that you are supporting yourself as an ESL teacher while there.  How is it?   Isn't it reputedly the money hiding and tax avoidance capitol of the whole world?

panda7 wrote:

I've got an English speaking mate who does online Italian translation for people trying to communicate over the phone. He gets quite a bit of work doing this and can work as many hours as he likes. Not sure about the details though. This would give you the flexibility to live in Vietnam and not rely on having to find a job there.

If it's okay to ask... Could i get in touch with your friend somehow? So that i can ask for details. It would help me a bunch. Also, to be honest, i will look for any job in Vietnam. Like i said, i have nine years of waiter experience. Maybe i vould ask to be hired by some italian restaurants. But i still want to try to be hired as ESL Teacher due to my dream to teach english.