Teaching Schools and Academies in Ha Noi

After a few of years of teaching here in Ha Noi, I have observed the many dodgey teaching establishments that have mushroomed over the past three years. Many have words like American or English in the name of their academy to attract parents and students. Many use the Cambridge logo on their stationery letterheads for contract, on their photocopied text books (which are illegally photo copied without permission). Cambridge have informed me ' CIE at present does not work with language schools and we have a strict policy on the usage of the Cambridge International School logo.'Yours sincerely Victoria Hoffman Customer Services Advisor University of Cambridge International Examinations'
Many academies advertise 100% English language teachers teaching the courses. In Ha Noi there is ONLY one academy that does have 100%. The others have Vietnamese teachers doing reading and grammar, English speaking teachers usually teach listening and speaking only. If a class wants 100% ESL teacher they have to pay more in their fees.
Many fly-by night academies have substandard equipment, no photocopying machine, NO computers, projection or overhead screens. They have bare minimum used furniture, some places require a deposit of 2 million VND for text books. ALL ask for first lesson as a demonstration (without pay). Depending on the academy pay is always delayed up to three weeks. Many hold two weeks pay in hand. Some argue about your hours and its a hassle every month getting your pay correct (keep a record and compare with the sign in book before the month to check for anomolies).
Some places offer a 1 year contract, with a promise of a work permit, visas, bonuses etc. Usually you have to foot a medical check up bill about $95, notorising your certificates $30 a stamp cost at your embassy, police record check, visa cost and work permit all totalling up to $800. Just remember this NOT Australia, US or UK. 1 year contract is not worth the paper it is written on UNLESS it is notarise and red rubber stamped by the academy. Asking for your copy is like 'pulling teeth' hard to get as they haven't stamped it. They say, "Oh, the previous teachers never wanted one." Demand your copy! After a few months, your hours drop, (just remember your earning 4 times more than a Vietnamese' ESL teacher'), once they have got you in and the students see western faces, they then change your contract to part time, when you complain about they are breaking contract they say, "NO, NO we are just changing the wording from Full Time to Part Time, not breaking contract". All contracts here in Ha Noi benefit the employer, you have no recourse to complain to the Department of Labour & Industry. You'd need a lawyer who speaks English and Vietnamese, that costs more than your monthly salary. Many teachers complain on the Expat website about their treatments from the many shonky academies and basically the expat who has married a local are quick to bleat out just accept what happen and live and learn and go away. The academy who hires you on part time basis plays with your life, they ask your mobile to be on 7/11, and they more often call you 3 or 2 hours before a lesson and expect you to drop what your doing appear and teach cold. They have no concept or experience in education. Many employers treat the whole education as a money making cash business (they don't have credit cards or cheques). No matter how well you love teaching, you have to put up with bureaucratic B/S from Vietnamese who exploit and treat western teacher like furniture. I have not met ONE academy I could praise and recommend. I hear bad stories even from the more wellknown academies like EQuest, Apollo, Cleverlearn, Language Link. Every week or month these places advertise on the local websites for teachers. I wonder, if they were so good why are they going through so many teachers? Must be either bad treatment, bad work conditions, or lies about work contracts promises dishonoured. If you intend to stay for a year, you have to put up with getting a work permit or exit Vietnam every three months at your own expenses. NO MORE renewals of visas allowed. Currently no more 6 months or 1 year visas.