"Great Leap" F.A.Q.
And now - on to the growing list of Q 'n A's sent in by folks just like you:
Q: Hello Dyanne! I wanted to get your thoughts on traveling and/or teaching ESL in Africa. I've wanted to go there ever since I read Born Free about 40 years ago. I know you traveled solo through South Africa a while back, so of course I'm interested in hearing about that. But I also saw that there's a CELTA center in Cape Town and I'm wondering if getting trained there makes much sense. In my research I haven't seen a lot of teaching jobs anywhere in Africa and certainly not ones that pay much of anything. So would it make more sense to get the CELTA and teach somewhere more lucrative and then go to Africa? But could I really make enough to save when I'm just starting out teaching? How much money do you suggest I have as a cushion before I even set off on my adventures? I know it depends a huge amount on where I go but thought you'd have insights.A: Good to hear from you again, my dear. All good questions - let's see if I can shed a little light on them. First of all, while your dream may well be Africa, you're right - if there's few EFL teach jobs there and most pay next to nothing... Yes, unless you happen to have a generous trust fund, you might well look to another part of the world to start your EFL career. (and btw, note that the ancronym "ESL" = "English as a SECOND Language" - meaning we use that to describe teaching English to foreigners who have resettled in an English-speaking country, e.g. the U.S., Canada, Australia, etc. Alternately, what you're looking to do is teach "EFL" = English as a FOREIGN language - meaning, teaching English in a country whose language is NOT English - like me here teaching EFL in Vietnam.) In short, (as always) do your research. EFL teach jobs, pay, perks and drawbacks vary wildly around the world. For example, when I did my research before moving halfway 'round the globe to start an EFL career, I initially favored doing so in Costa Rica (a country that I know well having run tours there for more than 20 years, adore, and speak the language - Spanish - fairly fluently). But... turns out EFL pay in Costa Rica is but about $8 per hour, whereas in Vietnam, starting pay for a CELTA trained college grad (even with no teaching experience) is nearly $20. Uh, which country do you think I chose? ;) That said, there are a LOT of other factors beyond pay to consider in choosing which country to take a flying leap to (see my December 2010 "Narrowing Down the Expat Options" for details of how I worked through the dilemma). It just depends on your own personal circumstances, financial situation, and druthers. So it's difficult for me to say just where would be best for you to take the CELTA (you can take it in many places around the world, and I do recommend you take it in the country where you plan to start teaching) and start your EFL career. Likewise, how much you can save when you start teaching will vary by the country you choose. But I can tell you that here in Vietnam - especially in the large cities of HCMC and Hanoi, good teach jobs (again, with a CELTA or other recognized EFL cred) are plentiful, and you most certainly can live a reasonably comfortable life style while saving quite a little bundle each month to travel to... perhaps in your case - head to Africa to play "Born Free" for a few weeks on holiday after you've taught a year or so. ;) And finally, yes, yes - a "cu$hion" of course. Again, it depends on where you go. But I'd suggest the price of a ticket home (should you find the life of an expat isn't to your liking,) plus at least a couple months living expenses in the country you choose. That, in addition to the cost of taking the CELTA of course (which likewise can vary a bit around the world, but generally will run you around $1,500 for the month-long course.)
Q: Hi Dyanne, it's me again with my bazillion questions. This time I'm wondering about electronic devices. I'd like to get a laptop for traveling and I'm wondering if you have thoughts or suggestions on that. Also, what kind of camera do you use? I don't know much about blogging but I'd like to be able to post pictures and do a basic blog to keep in touch with friends and family. Trust me, you cannot overestimate my ignorance on this. ;) I'm looking to get very basic equipment (read, 'as inexpensive as possible') but still able to do the job.A: Well of course I can't recommend any specifics as there's just so darn many techno-choices nowadays and the latest and greatest seems to be changing daily! But as a guideline, yes - if you plan to blog you'll want at least a netbook or e-pad, and better yet... As you're going to be teaching, you'll likely want a full-size laptop. That, and a decent camera of course. There too it depends on your druthers, but unless you're into serious photography, and/or happen to already have a DSLR, then I'd recommend one of the mid-level point and shoots which will serve you just fine. Phone? First of all, if you already own a smartphone - you definitely want it unlocked so you can use cheapo sim cards wherever you land. Alternately, just wait til you land and buy yourself a cheapo phone for $30 to get you started. My own little "flashpacker" kit now includes an HP 17" laptop for home use here in Vietnam, along with a little Asus netbook for traveling. For photos, I have my trusty Panasonic Lumix p&s (with a 12x optical zoom and video) plus a DSLR that I never use (my travel style is so "light" and off-the-grid that I always feel like the DSLR is too bulky/obtrusive to take on my jaunts to Mongolia, etc. but maybe someday...) I arrived in Vietnam with my beloved Kindle, but alas it broke so I now just read all my books on the Amazon "Cloud" using my netbook. I started my nomadic life with my trusty iPod Touch (i.e. just like an iPhone only w/o the phone and juiced on wifi - great for movies on long flights/bus trips and I can even read books on it), and I initially bought a "throw away" phone here in Vietnam. But recently I traded in my iPod Touch for a used iPhone3 and furthermore... Incidentally, though supposedly upgrading an iPhone3 to the current 6 point whatever Apple OS is "impossible" - I just recently took mine to a little "Apple" kiosk (the size of a closet!) here in Dalat - and for 7 bucks, they upgraded the OS in 40 minutes! Ah yes, gotta love the clever Vietnamese!
Q: Hi there, I came across your blog while looking for information on Dalat. My... er... boyfriend and I (seems a strange term to use when 48 looms in your headlights but what the heck) are currently teaching ESL in South Korea and want Vietnam to be our next destination. Dalat looks like a little slice of heaven on earth. And your digs! Yikes! Now that winter is loosening its death grip on Korea we're heading into our last term of teaching and planning the Escape to Vietnam.. very excited! We're putting out feelers for jobs but since the Vietnamese like to have a warm body to interview, it seems, we might just sign up for a CELTA course and take it from there.A: Well hey there - good to "meet" a fellow EFL nomad! Happy to give you tips on Dalat (yes, it IS Heaven.On.Earth), teaching prospects in Vietnam (EXcellent, presuming you have a degree, EFL credentials, and sounds like you have good experience - you should have no trouble whatsoever landing a good job here). So what EFL credential do you have? Yes, here in Vietnam the CELTA is king, most the good schools favor it. With a CELTA you're practically guaranteed a job! As you know, I took the CELTA in HCMC - at ILA, and I can highly recommend them. Though not guaranteed, chances are they'll offer you a job when you complete the course - leastwise every one of the twelve folks who took the CELTA w/ me got hired by ILA. I also can recommend teaching there - excellent facilities, teaching resources and especially teacher development. And yes, as I understand it, Korea often hires long distance. But that's rare here in Vietnam. Besides, personally I'd not want to commit to a job unless I'd personally seen the facilities, met the staff, etc. Much better to come and see for yourself If I were you, I'd allow about a month - no more than two, to get a job (so... expenses-wise for rent, food, etc. about $1,000 - $1,500 to be on the safe side). Plus if you take the CELTA it's about $1,600 for the month-long course I think - but I believe there's a bit of a discount if you sign on early. In any case, if you're serious about long-term EFL teaching - then you simply can't go wrong by tucking a CELTA certificate under your belt. That plus a bit of EFL teaching experience, and you can verily write your own ticket anywhere in the world.
Q: It sounds like Dalat is heaven on earth, and I'm not keen on living amid the sweltering temps/humidity of the big city (like Ho Chi Minh) year 'round. I know you've said that EFL teach jobs are plentiful (for those w/ a degree plus a recognized CELTA/TEFL credential) in Saigon. But what about smaller places like Dalat?A: Yes indeed, for native English speakers with the proper EFL teaching credentials, jobs here in Vietnam are quite plentiful. But if you want the best pay (up to $20/contact hr.) and the widest choice of schools, then you'll need to look in the larger cities (Saigon/Hanoi). I've "heard" that ILA offers $18 in Da Nang (a beach locale if that's your fancy) but can't confirm it. And I can only imagine that turnover at such schools is rock-bottom (as such beachside positions are understandably highly coveted), so you might well have to bide your time to nab an opening there. And yes, yes, as I can fully attest - dear Dalat IS Heaven.On.Earth as far as I'm concerned - with oh so pleasant cooler climes (Dalat sits at nearly a mile high in altitude) and greeeeeen/flowers everywhere. It was originally established as a French hill station and I must say, the architecture, the ubiquitous "roundabouts" (oh and btw - not a SINGLE TRAFFIC LIGHT in all of Dalat!) all make me wake up wondering if I've not flown from Vietnam to Paris while I slept! And while I knew going into it (i.e. moving from a top-paying Teach position in HCMC) that pay would undoubtedly be lower here, I must say, in my present negotiations with one of the best private schools here in Dalat, I'm a bit dismayed at the "range" of compensation on offer. But $8 - $12 per contact hour (bearing ever in mind that with unpaid lesson planning hours, that brings the average compensation down to little more than $8 tops). ;( Still, food/lodging ARE a bit cheaper in Dalat, plus... In short, with the overall cost of living in Vietnam so breathtakingly low, you can easily have quite a comfy life here in Dalat even at minimum wage pay (by U.S. standards). But of course, if you're looking to make/save a bundle, then you'll need to stay in the big, sweltering city.
Q: I'm delighted to have discovered your site. A friend and I (61 & 71) would love to adopt you as our mentor. I have a BS & MS in Education, but haven't used it in 25 years and she has a BS in English. We'd both like to teach and be able to live from our salaries. Are we too old to be hired? How does one begin to determine where age is not an issue?A: I'm most happy to inspire you and your friend. And while we of "a certain age" (thanks "Anonymous" for that lovely phraseology!) might find getting hired a tad more challenging than a 19 year old, suffice I've done tons of research on just that particular dilemma and.. I'm convinced that it won't pose a significant problem. For example, I'm presently in contact w/ a lass who just finished the CELTA course in Saigon (precisely what I plan to do) and she confirmed that one of her fellow students for the course is 70 yrs. old. I've also been encouraged by many expats presently teaching in Vietnam. And I believe that with both a BS and an MS plus a CELTA (the gold-standard credential of EFL world-wide) I'll easily find a job in VN. If nothing else, I can always do private tutoring.
[editor's January 2012 update: Yup, more than a year and an excellent teach job here in Vietnam later - I can now personally confirm that age is of no concern in getting hired. Far more important is that you have the credentials (a degree and a recognized CELTA/TEFL certificate) plus, can demonstrate that you can put together an educational and fun lesson for most any age/English level.]That said, I strongly recommend you have a bit of a financial "safety-net" before rushing off to the other side of the Planet. It needn't be a fortune, but enough to get you a ticket home along with some resettling funds, should you find that the life of an expat in a developing country isn't for you.
Q: A question (one of a 1,000 jumping through what's left of my brain). I don't know what to do about the "clean police record". I know to start it early & I know it's supposed to be sent to ILA. I emailed ILA and they said that they don't want it but it's only for getting a job but that it wasn't "good" for more than 2 months. I'll probably not have a job for the first 2 months. So..what do I do? If I recall correctly you got extra prints made. Did you take them with you? What exactly did you ask for? Same goes for "proof" of graduating from College. What do you send to them vs. what do you take with you? Hope this makes sense!A: Yes, you only need the criminal record check to get a job, (i.e. to get a work permit) not to simply take the CELTA course. But YES, you need to get one NOW while you're in the States. And YES, it's only good for... I'm pretty sure it's good for 6 months. IOW, once you've been in VN for 6 months or more, you'll instead need a criminal background check from VIETNAM authorities in order to get a work permit. As for degree "proof" - see my post on "Apostille, Ashmostille..." - you need to get ORIGINAL copies of your degrees APOSTILLATED by the state where you got your degree - and take these with you to Vietnam. Some say they don't need to be apostillated, but suffice some recommended it, and I wanted to have all bases covered. In short, if you wait until you're already over here (or any place else like Thailand, etc. for that matter) - securing such documentation will prove a very expensive and time-consuming NIGHTMARE. HTH, but don't rely solely on my advice - do your own diligent research as well (i.e. Google for FBI criminal record check procedures - they have a website w/ a form you can print out, call the university where you got your degrees, etc.)
Now how 'bout you? Any stray questions about packing it up in the 1st World, and giving it a go here in Vietnam? Do post a comment, and I'll try my best to answer it here in the new TL F.A.Q.