How much dough can one potentially pull in in Vietnam these days?

I've seen figures around $4000 - $5000 usd / month but that seems like either bullshit or rare cases.

Most public school day jobs pay around $1200 - $1500 at best a month. Then the after school English centres pay less than $2000 generally. So basically, busting your ass working 7 days a week for only $3200 - $3500 per month... I'd say that's still pretty shitty and not really worth it.

Anyone know if these figures are correct?

Average would be $2000 or thereabouts. You could save bout $1000 and still have good lifestyle.

You get most public teaching jobs through centres. They pay the same as they would if you were working in the centre. You will get fuck all hours if you just purely want to do centre work.

There are centres with no contracts with the public schools. They will generally pay less in my experience but will often pay weekly or bi monthly.

I've got that English Lesson for the beauty pageant coming up, so I've decided to hold myself up for some accountability/humiliation.

Aim; get one of them out on a (non-date) date.

[Actually, I don't really care too much. I fully agree with Bill Burr on this one (rant; beautiful women)]

Still...

I agree with the financial breakdown and comparison to working at McDonalds. But if I lived at McDonalds, I'd save money to travel and visit places for 2 to 4 weeks a year. Actually, regardless of my job that's probably the plan.

So why not just work a low tier job in those places and get the full experience? And I personally feel as though being rich in a place like Spain, Italy or Thailand wont necessarily enhance my experience there. Sure I could buy a private pool, but I could also just go to the beach... and yes, I could drive a nice car, but I could also just walk through rome and soak it all in... and of course, I could have a huge tv, but I could also just enjoy the 2500 hours of sunshine in Barcelona.

Quote: (04-13-2018 03:14 AM)ShanghaiPlayer Wrote:  

How much dough can one potentially pull in in Vietnam these days?

I've seen figures around $4000 - $5000 usd / month but that seems like either bullshit or rare cases.

Most public school day jobs pay around $1200 - $1500 at best a month. Then the after school English centres pay less than $2000 generally. So basically, busting your ass working 7 days a week for only $3200 - $3500 per month... I'd say that's still pretty shitty and not really worth it.

Anyone know if these figures are correct?

I am not an expert but based on my knowledge and networking (living here since November 2017) I've found that you can easily be getting 20-25 USD an hour for language center working on weekends and weekdays about 24 hours a week that puts you at 2400 USD a month. But some of the people living with me do two jobs so they get even more.

If you are wanting to have maximum workload and pay you can go for the "international schools" these ones pay 30+ plus an hour one of the guys in my apartment building does this but it is Mon-Fri full time. Vietnam is very good in terms of flexibility and the demand is always great.

The big bonus about living in Vietnam is the low cost of living and the fact that you can drive a motorcycle and go on adventures whenever you want. Also eating out is very cheap.

What's the deal with teaching English online? Too good to be true or will it allow me to earn enough money to live mobile in a cheaper part of the world?

$25 an hour in china is abysmal unless you're in tier 88 bumblefuck. In Shenzhen you should request $50 bare-minimum, otherwise you could just find a part-time learning center job and get more hours and not have to deal with the stress of talking to parents.

As far as finding students to tutor, I agree with whoever said you need locals to hook you up.

I get 90% of my private students from a friend of mine. She runs a cafe that I frequent and I always talk to her since she and her husband are pretty down-to-earth and friendly. They found out I was an English teacher and they began pitching a new student to me every month. Another couple also throws students my way because I tutored for them at their little center for a few months. I'm pretty selective about the kids I work with. They must be within the same neighborhood as the coffee shop and at least one parent needs to speak decent English so there's no confusion about what the hell I'm doing. I make less money than I could make, but I don't deal with as much bullshit.

China to hire 300,000 Filipinos, including 100,000 English teachers

Manila: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will finalise an agreement that will pave the way for China’s hiring of 300,000 overseas Filipino workers, including 100,000 Filipino English-speaking teachers, a senior official said.

“One of the contentious issues [that the two leaders are finalising] is the requirement by the Chinese government that they will accredit the [Chinese] schools that will issue the certification to our English teachers,” Philippine Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello said in China, transcript of which reached his office in Manila on Tuesday.

“We maintain the position that it should be the Philippines that will choose these schools or the colleges that will issue the certification [for the Filipino teachers who will be hired to teach English in China],” Bello said.

The Chinese government has offered $1,500 (P78,000 or Dh6,500) a month for a Filipino teacher, Bello said, adding that he and his counterpart scheduled a meeting to finalise the details of the hiring of OFWs.

http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippine...-1.2203123

China’s deal to hire 300,000 Filipinos finalised

All the OFWs would be working in Beijing and Shanghai and three other major cities, official says


“There is a big demand for English teachers in China. Chinese nationals want their children to speak English. They lack sufficient numbers of teachers who can speak English. Families want English-speaking maids who could tutor children with their studies. China also has a growing ageing population,” Bello said, adding all the OFWs would be working in Beijing and Shanghai and three other major cities.

http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippine...-1.2205241

Annnnd it just keeps getting worse for teachers in China.

Quote: (04-19-2018 06:37 AM)ShanghaiPlayer Wrote:  

Annnnd it just keeps getting worse for teachers in China.

If you're white you're a premium product and still somewhat of a status symbol if you're clean cut and reasonably good looking.

Nobody wants to learn English from 3rd world people. They don't even trust American born Chinese.

Either way, it's not something you want to do forever anyway.

^ Pretty much. I find that local attitudes take years to catch up to the laws and regulations. China has done a lot to up the standards of factories and Chinese products, but locals are still shook by the melamine poisoning scandal when it comes to milk products.

I was just reading an article about a British YouTube star who posts English video lessons.

She has a video on what not to say to British girls

Quote:

'So I did a lesson on three things not to say to British girls: not to comment on them drinking alcohol, not to pressure them for not replying to messages straight away and not talking about people's weight.'

Quote: (04-18-2018 03:11 AM)Zikibala Wrote:  

What's the deal with teaching English online? Too good to be true or will it allow me to earn enough money to live mobile in a cheaper part of the world?

I am also curious to know. I have seen some jobs posted on remote sites. The pay was only 12-16$ an hour but it wouldn't be bad as a part time boost for somebody trying to travel and maybe get something else off the ground.

I think for young guys English teaching is good, but when you reach about 30-35 max you should have something else lined up. You will be at the bottom of the expat market in whichever country you visit, girls won't be awfully interested in you unless you're at the top of your profession and making at least $3000-4000+per month

Quote: (04-24-2018 07:46 AM)Jaydublin Wrote:  

Quote: (04-18-2018 03:11 AM)Zikibala Wrote:  

What's the deal with teaching English online? Too good to be true or will it allow me to earn enough money to live mobile in a cheaper part of the world?

I am also curious to know. I have seen some jobs posted on remote sites. The pay was only 12-16$ an hour but it wouldn't be bad as a part time boost for somebody trying to travel and maybe get something else off the ground.

I teach online now, the price range is accurate for starting out. You can earn $20-25 an hour if you get to the top of the field though on a website. More if you really hustle and recruit private clients. I like teaching online as a part-time hustle. I'd consider it difficult to rely on it by itself though, but the huge advantage to it though is it is location independent income you can take anywhere that has internet connection. I'm in a group that has online teachers on the road and it seems like enough to partially fund travel.

YT, What would you say your qualifications are? Were you already an experienced ESL teacher with a degree when you found your online gig?

It seems like a solid deal compared to these guys doing it for 7$ an hour in some countries. What is the disadvantge?

Quote: (04-25-2018 09:15 AM)Jaydublin Wrote:  

YT, What would you say your qualifications are? Were you already an experienced ESL teacher with a degree when you found your online gig?

It seems like a solid deal compared to these guys doing it for 7$ an hour in some countries. What is the disadvantge?

My only real qualification was I had a Bachelor's Degree. That's the most important thing for doing ESL in Asia. Though I was lucky, most people usually try to get a TEFL degree as well. Only disadvantages of online versus in person are that it's harder to get private clients on the side since most websites prohibit outside site contact with students and prime jobs in universities offer more money for those who are better qualified.

Quote: (04-24-2018 08:51 AM)[email protected] Wrote:  

I think for young guys English teaching is good, but when you reach about 30-35 max you should have something else lined up. You will be at the bottom of the expat market in whichever country you visit, girls won't be awfully interested in you unless you're at the top of your profession and making at least $3000-4000+per month

This I agree with, I did it for a year and a bit, a couple years ago whilst in my early 20s as a break from a demanding corporate job back home. It was chill, paid well and a good introduction to Asia for me.

But eventually surrounding yourself with that crowd starts to get a little bland, unless you truly have a passion for teaching it's a nice change-up for a few years but longer-term has its pitfalls. You'd probably want to get further credentials in teaching and begin to specialise if its something you're looking to do long term.

There is decent money to be made teaching English in Moscow, though not all schools pay on time, an average of 2000-2500 in spring and fall down to a low of 1200 in low season of winter and summer. Save for the winter)

Quote: (04-24-2018 08:51 AM)[email protected] Wrote:  

I think for young guys English teaching is good, but when you reach about 30-35 max you should have something else lined up. You will be at the bottom of the expat market in whichever country you visit, girls won't be awfully interested in you unless you're at the top of your profession and making at least $3000-4000+per month

I teach English in China and make +4000 per month. Your argument is invalid.

Gabpicar, what is your experience with China, ESL and Chinese girls? I think you're speaking out of turn. The only girls who have ever fronted on me for being in ESL are usually older chicks looking for a paycheck. If you target chicks 5-10 years younger than you, it's not really much of a deal breaker. Especially if you're making real money teaching and not just making beer money.

As a guy who is working on minimizing teaching, I still must say that it's quite lucrative if you treat it like a business. A lot of expats working "real" jobs in China work 2x as much as me and make maybe 75% of what Choichoi and I make. Not to mention, most of the skill sets you could get working a corporate job in China are not special. You could easily go back home and be an accountant (for example) for a more reputable company (a fortune 500), make more money and not have to deal with all the Chinese screwiness on top of it.

The funny part is that I know a few ESL guys on this forum who don't participate much in these talks who make SERIOUS bank teaching English in China. Like 600 rmb an hour for teaching. of course, that's not available to dudes passing through China for a or two. I remember once being in a chat and asking if someone wanted to take a 450 rmb an hour student off my hands because I wasn't interested in the commute. Idk about you, but pulling down $80-$100 an hour to sling ABCs is not bad money.

This is not a snipe at dudes making real money in China doing business or working a high-level corporate position, but I've almost never had a girl balk at chilling with me once she hears the school I work for and the area that I live in. it's all in how you present yourself. A lot of the corporate expats in china who aren't working in management are not really making much money when you do an hour/dollar breakdown of their income. They'd probably be better off

A. Going home and finding the same job
B. Teaching ESL

If you take good care of yourself (eat right, exercise often), don't act like an autist and do things that interest you, you are way further ahead than 90% of expats currently putzing around China.

I teach in Vietnam and can answer any question that you may have.


I will say that I earn 22$ per hour and work just under 20 hours per week. After tax my income is around $1,600 and I spend about $800 - 900 per month.


Teaching is easy for the most part and the kids are pretty receptive.

Quote: (06-01-2018 02:35 AM)flyinghorse Wrote:  

I teach in Vietnam and can answer any question that you may have.


I will say that I earn 22$ per hour and work just under 20 hours per week. After tax my income is around $1,600 and I spend about $800 - 900 per month.


Teaching is easy for the most part and the kids are pretty receptive.

how old are ya kids?

Quote: (05-31-2018 02:55 AM)Fortis Wrote:  

As a guy who is working on minimizing teaching, I still must say that it's quite lucrative if you treat it like a business. A lot of expats working "real" jobs in China work 2x as much as me and make maybe 75% of what Choichoi and I make.

I used to be envious of the base salary that US/Canada certified teachers make at international schools until I met one and discovered that incredible amount of time she spent on the job. Not just teaching and prepping classes, but also participating in several committees and having regular after school meetings with parents.

I make a similar amount of money, but do half the time on the job.

Quote: (05-31-2018 02:55 AM)Fortis Wrote:  

The funny part is that I know a few ESL guys on this forum who don't participate much in these talks who make SERIOUS bank teaching English in China. Like 600 rmb an hour for teaching. of course, that's not available to dudes passing through China for a or two. I remember once being in a chat and asking if someone wanted to take a 450 rmb an hour student off my hands because I wasn't interested in the commute. Idk about you, but pulling down $80-$100 an hour to sling ABCs is not bad money.

Earning 600 RMB per hour isn't crazy if you really focus on it. I've got other goals, so I have prioritized having low effort classes that pay 300 RMB per hour, but I've actually dropped classes that paid 500 per hour just because it was inconvenient to my schedule. If I hustled and did a bunch of group classes for adults, I'm sure I could pull 600+ per hour if they all paid separately.

But like I said, I have different goals and have been using teaching to pay my bills while I build a business, so I've aimed at doing classes that require the minimum amount of effort to prep for and promote.

Same, when you look at ESL salaries comparatively you poop on entry level international school jobs. As far as stigma goes: it exists but I'd be willing to bet that if a girl wasn't gonna fuck you, changing your job wouldnt do much to change her mind. I know plenty of older guys who do ESL who still bang reasonably attractive girls in the 20-25 age range.

I see a lot of the posts aimed at people from the USA going abroad and teaching English. I'm going to give a little low down on those from the UK that want to teach English abroad.

The two English teaching qualifications people think of are CELTA and TEFL, however both aren't worth as much as they were before. If you really want to secure a good job abroad with all the benefits of free accommodation; healthcare, end of service gratuity.....then do a PGCE.

PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) - If you have a degree and you train to become an English teacher you'll get a £15000 grant tax free (2018/19 entry) from the government, only teach a 50% timetable or thereabouts in the UK for just under a year, and then you're fully qualified. You'll need a degree however to qualify.

I myself did a PGCE in Mathematics and have been teaching in the UK for almost 2 years now. Employers abroad see the PGCE as possibly the best teaching qualification internationally. Standards in the UK for teachers are seen as the most gruelling and hence as a UK PGCE graduate you will get preference over any other English teacher. ( I think it also has to do with people wanting teachers with British accents; but don't hold it against me as it is just an assumption)

Use TES jobs to find international teaching jobs....and their are lots of them. Salaries around £25000 to £40000 depending on experience which includes your accommodation, healthcare, air tickets....the whole shabang.