A taste of job searching in Vietnam

After a month of back and forth with a Habitat for Humanity Affiliate here in HCMC and countless other emails to other NGOs, I'd given up on working in my field and turned to the fallback profession of all English-speaking, want-to-be, temporary residents of non-English speaking countries - ESL.

Ms. (names ommitted for the sake of privacy),

Hello. My name is Sharon Brown and I recieved your information from (another teacher) who is currently teaching at AIS. He reccommended you highly.

My husband is also teaching at AIS and I am living here with him and interested in finding a job teaching English to adults, if possible, in HCMC. I worked at AIS temporarily as a third grade teacher until they found a permenant teacher and have also taught English in Thailand as a volunteer with Cross Cultural Solutions. I am a social worker by profession and worked with refugees from all over the world as a refugee resettlement case manager, and have a lot of experiece working with people to whom English is a second (or third or fifth!) langugae. I am interested in working with adults because the majority of my experience is with adults and I feel that I would be able to successfully meet their needs in all levels of English
learning.

If you are aware of any teaching opportunities available, or would be able to speak with me futher, I can be reached via email at this address or on my phone at
01234453656.

Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And then the fun began.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Ms !

I am from Englishhome.

Where are you from?

Englishhome company need one teacher teach Talentnet company.

If you need, I will take you going Talentnet company meet student's.

Are you free day?

Thanks. Have a nice day.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I am from the United States. I would be happy to meet the students from Talentnet Company. When do they need me to start? How many students? Anything else you can tell me?

I am free this afternoon or tomorrow. Let me know what time we should meet.

Thank you!

Sharon

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Ms !

Can you send me your CV ?

Thanks .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I have attached my CV for your review. Please let me
know if you have any problem opening it.

Sharon

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Ms !

Are you free on morning ?

Can you teach on morning?

Thanks !

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I am free in the morning. What would the hours be? What day do they need me to start?

Sharon

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Ms !

I will call for you when they answer for me.

Can you teach Wed on morning at 8 hour AM to 11 hour AM?

Thanks.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I would be free to teach on Wednesday morning from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. I will wait to hear from you on the start date and other details. Do you know if it would be today or next Wednesday? Do you know how many students there are or what their level of English is?

Thank you!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Ms !

I will wait and I will answer for you beacause Talentnet not answer for me. I new sens Cv of you for they.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

No worries. I will just wait until you hear from them. I am going out today, so if you need me today, please call my cell 01234452083. Otherwise I will check my email when I return.

Thanks, again.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Ms !

When was you born ?

How long are you stay VN?

Have you teach school ?

Thanks.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ms. Tram,

I am 31 years old. I was born in 1977. I will be in Vietnam until May 2009.

I have not taught school to children, but I have taught English to adults.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Ms !

Are you free today?

I will take you going Super kid at 14 hour PM.

I and you meet at 163 Pasteur - Ward 6 - District 3.

You will teach demo today .

Thanks.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ms. ,

I will meet you at 2:00 p.m.

Thank you. I look forward to meeting you!

Sharon

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

(Cut to Ms. Sharon in a room full of Vietnamese 2-year-olds singing Old MacDonald had a farm... by herself).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

(The next day)

Dear Ms !

Ok, thanks.

Today at 2 hour Pm , you no teach super kid .

I will take you going to Talentnet company when Talentnet call me.

Have a nice day.

(Whew!)