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32 | Eight Easy Steps To Great Teaching Job In Vietnam Step seven: cut a deal | 33

z Minimal consideration for occupational health and safety z exiting arrangements – what happens if the employer wants you to
leave or you want to leave
z Minimal (or zero) access to dispute resolution mechanisms
While many ESL teachers in Vietnam focus on the hourly rate when
Understandably, some folks might say that the lack of meaningful labour seeking to cut a deal with a school, I’d encourage you to adopt a different
law protection for foreign workers in Vietnam – or any of the nine points approach. Focus on the savings capacity – how much you’ll have leftover
noted above - is a good reason to get out while you can. I don’t think so, each month, without cutting too many corners, after meeting all your
and I’m confident that you share my opinion. Through your due process expenses. Typically, your savings capacity teaching English in Vietnam will
before arriving in Vietnam, or at least since you’ve been on the ground, be in the 40% to 50% range. For example, let’s say that you want to save US
you’d have it pegged that working in Vietnam, from a wages and conditions $600.00 a month. Taking into account the typical savings capacity, you’d
standpoint, will be nothing like working in your home country. The fact need to earn around US $1,200.00 per month in cash or a combination of
that life won’t be the same may well be a key reason why you travelled to cash and non-cash benefits. With this scenario, you’d only need to work 17
Vietnam in the first place. Adventure travel involves risks. In part, it’s the hours a week at US $17.00 per hour (base rate) to reach your savings goal
risks that make the adventure. (17 hours x US $17.00 x 4.3 weeks = US $1,242.70 x 50% = US $621.00).
Frankly, I don’t know anyone in my native Australia who works 17 hours a
Employment agreements in Vietnam for teaching work mainly cover week and manages to save US $600.00+ a month.
the critical points you’d expect, teaching (in-class) hours, rate of pay,
work location, days off and suchlike. It’s ‘periphery points’ where things
can be a bit tricky, overtime rates, non-paid work (marketing activities and
assessment, for example), employer support with a work permit and visa,
access to teaching resources, a disciplinary process, an exit clause and
the list goes on. While there is very little wriggle room with a teaching
contract in Vietnam - it’s often a case of take it or leave it - there’s no harm
in politely and respectfully seeking to have your needs documented in the
agreement. However, be prepared for outright refusal. If this occurs, you’ll
need to decide whether to simply walk away.

What constitutes a good deal for teaching in Vietnam is very much in
the eye of the beholder. Your personal needs may be very different to the
needs of the next person. Regardless, I’d encourage you to ensure that
your employment agreement provides for:

z no more than 30 teaching hours (in class) each week – note that
preparation work is rarely paid

z a market rate of pay for someone with your background - cash and
non-cash benefits

z a work environment that’s safe and secure - free from discrimination,
harassment and hazards