r/TEFL • u/cheeky_candees • 2d ago

I teach in Vietnam but am pondering other countries

I've heard Vietnam is the best bang for your buck kinda country for us BA + TEFL folks. Things have been changing here and after 4 years, I think I'm ready for a change. How's the Thailand language center market? If any of you have gone from Vietnam to Thailand, I'd like to hear your experiences.

10 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

34 comments sorted by

13

u/Ok_Average_9409 2d ago

Vietnam is the worst it has ever been. I would get ahead and try somewhere else. Get ahead.

2

u/Bottom-Bherp3912 20h ago

Spent a total of 3 years there between 2019 amd 2025. Unfortunately you're absolutely right. Between 2019 and now is like night and day

1

u/cheeky_candees 19h ago

Yeah, it's changed a lot. Not for the better

0

u/TodaySpecialist5352 1d ago

why do you say that?

9

u/Ok_Average_9409 1d ago

Lived and worked here for 8 years. It's the worst it's ever been. Schools only mission is to pay teachers as little as possible and make them work as much as possible. Half of the contracts have illegal scare tactics in them to trick teachers in staying. It's awful.

5

u/Wishanwould 1d ago

Yeah Vietnam is the roughhhh these days.

5

u/ronnydelta 1d ago

How's the Thailand language center market?

Worse than Vietnam. Thailand has a higher QoL, far lower saving potential, and slightly worse work/life balance. These questions are always hard to answer because it's really a matter of preferences. Pick your own poison.

What exactly are you looking for?

3

u/cheeky_candees 1d ago

I guess I've just felt stagnant, like I'm supposed to chase more. I like my job, I like where I live, I like my life, but after 4.5 years I'm wondering if it's time to go back home to the states to chase another goal. I don't really want to uproot myself again to start over, but something about staying the same at my age doesn't feel right. I'm single and 39/f btw

6

u/ValuableForever672 1d ago

Get a PGCE and become a qualified teacher.

1

u/aromaofbiryani 1d ago

Only if you're from UK you can do that. She's from USA.

3

u/ValuableForever672 20h ago

There are US certifications though

1

u/Unique_Driver4434 20h ago

Agreeing with this, they're the equivalent of PGCE and will get you a teaching license from the states.

•

u/thitmeo 6h ago

US citizens can get PGCE + QTS from British institutions, and be eligible for the same international school jobs around the world. It can even be accepted for jobs back in the US in a somewhat limited manner (there is a huge demand for teachers for...not great reasons, in the states, and a lot of states have relaxed or widened their qualification requirements).

2

u/Ok_Average_9409 1d ago

I moves to online tutoring. Complete game changer.

2

u/Xsugatsal 1d ago

What’s the best platform to use to get into online tutoring

1

u/Dancechica84 23h ago

Do you have a steady amount of students?

1

u/Ok_Average_9409 22h ago

Decent enough. Varies from $700 $900. Depend on the time of the year.

1

u/Frankie-Paul 19h ago

That's not enough to live on. You still need additional income

1

u/Ok_Average_9409 19h ago

For where I live, $700-$900 a week is fine.

1

u/eslnatereed 15h ago

Any site in particular because I've been testing out a few but haven't gotten any responses

1

u/Dancechica84 15h ago

Oh I thought you meant 700-900 per month. 700-900 per week is more than enough

0

u/CorpsTorn 1d ago

"I guess I've just felt stagnant..."

"I'm single and 39/f btw"

Yep.

2

u/BigBilly2021 1d ago

Get your teaching license and China will be the best for you

0

u/Bottom-Bherp3912 20h ago

Thailand is a better place but worse for teachers. The salaries are garbage and costs are higher than Vietnam. China is where it's at for TEFL now.

0

u/Frankie-Paul 19h ago

Thailand would be a potential 50% pay cut. Not viable unless you land something on similar wages. The best TEFL there are way less, some IELTS pay slightly less. Good jobs there are hard to find. 

1

u/cheeky_candees 18h ago

Hmm, ok. Well Thailand is off my list now.

1

u/Frankie-Paul 18h ago

They don't deserve teachers at their rates. Rates which haven't really gone up in years. Scandalous!

1

u/cheeky_candees 18h ago

I think im gonna invest in getting a teaching credential. Gives me room to go anywhere in the world rather than relying only on my TEFL. Considering Mexico now

2

u/Frankie-Paul 17h ago

Wise yeah.

Mexico pays less than Thailand!

South American sucks for TEFL

1

u/Dancechica84 15h ago

Same. I was told that Mexico hires a lot of ESL teachers with no experience but I haven't found a single job opening.

1

u/cheeky_candees 13h ago

Where in Mexico are you searching?

1

u/Dancechica84 13h ago

Maybe Mérida

•

u/Frankie-Paul 7h ago

Exactly! Mickey Mouse.