ACPI English School, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

by Maria
(HCMC)

Hi there!

I've just finished an internship at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. The salary was terrible but I didn’t know before coming here that I should get far more– everything was organized by AIESEC. I fast noticed that the director of the language center just uses graduates as blue collar workers for 500$ a month (no benefits included) forcing them to work more than in the contract.

I was ready to go back home (Poland) on Thursday, 05/17 (less than 1 week) but yesterday I got an offer from Mr. Pham (ACPI) to go to Thanh Hoa province to teach at the university language center. 13$/1h 20-22hrs/ week, accommodation (AC + fridge) provided on the premises, traveling expenses covered. Contract for 6 months.

I have a MA in English Philology (profession – teacher) and only 6 months of class teaching experience.

Do you think it’s a good offer?

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Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

No, I don't think it is a very good offer. I have worked for ACPI and my friend currently works in their Ho Chi Minh city branch. I have no complaints about them personally. They leave you alone to do your job but they are known for making promises they don't keep and paying as little as they can.

You are going to a pretty small town so prices are cheaper but there is nothing there to do and you'll always be 'The Foreigner'. That can be fun for a few months but it gets very lonely because you'll always be treated as an outsider no matter how well you try to fit in.

Most schools pay More when you re-locate into rural Vietnam, so the pay is terrible. When they offer 20 hours a week that usually means 15 hours a week. If they don't get the students to sign up then they will close classes on you.

You can always break your contract and leave as long as you give notice. I would not go for less than a Guaranteed 25 hour work week and $15USD an hour at the minimum.

Heck, even 'Cleverlearn' in Ho Chi Minh City will pay $15USD an hour and guarantee a 25 hour work week. Once they have you in Thanh Hoa, there is no where for you to go.

Remember that the first school that you worked for took advantage of you. I believe that this school is also trying to do that. Say 'no' and I bet they offer you more money.

You have an MA in English and experience. You qualify for employment at RMIT University at a salary of $3,500USD / Month!

Besides, it sounds to me that you are looking forward to going home. That offer will still be there in a year so I would go back home for the summer and return when and if you feel like it.

Poland is beautiful this time of year.

Philip.

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ACPI English School, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

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Jul 06, 2012
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horizon4@horizonforseasia.com
by: Anthony

Philip,

Thanks for the comment regarding my posts. I have nothing 'personal' against ACPI or Mr. Bach. I've taught in Vietnam since 2004, this is 'my country' and these are 'my people' that are being taught. Far too many 'learn for 6 years' and know no more now than they did 5 years ago...

I've got a website that I only promote via 'word of mouth' that is free use and I offer to teach to those in countryside areas for free that are over 14 years old.

I am a very strict individual that demands students to 'do'. I do not 'spoon feed' them. I've got ready made syllabus for most all TOEIC and TOEFL and some Business Courses with Audio breakdown by Exercise.

Thus far, I have the Pearson and Compass approval for such as I have used these 'tools'.

Jun 21, 2012
Rating

Poor Payment Practises at ACPI
by: Anthony

Philip,

As I had mentioned previously, I had helped start ACPI ... it was a good program at first...but something happened...I've done many things in my life...but I'm not a liar! Nor would I state something that would not be true to state!

ACPI failed to make payment as stated..."Man to Man", as no contract was ever given...as to the reason not many have stayed at Thanh Hoa University.

I'm an American...I came here to help the Vietnamese people...not screw them! The main reason I will not work an ESL establishment any longer...From Hanoi, Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh and other places...I worked for SITC as well in Hanoi and in Hai Phong. I received all my pay just prior to them running off.

I've even talked to teachers in their new building about pay...and they had stated at times it was not always there...

I don't know what your connection is with ACPI...but I would put them on a "Black List". The reason for this is from the 7 people I know who have had pay problems from them.

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Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

I have no connection with ACPI English Schools. I did work for them for a full year and had absolutely no problems with getting payment.

I also remain in contact with 2 other teachers who are employed by ACPI in Ho Chi Minh City to this day. They have not had the same experience as you regarding payment of salary.

Lack of syllabus, students running the school, and computers infected with multiple viruses are quite common issues at many ESL schools in Vietnam. I can work around these issues but none of us can work around salary payment issues.

You have made a serious accusation. I don't believe in hurting a school's reputation without being absolutely certain that the poster has merit to their claims.

It is nothing personal. I feel a responsibility to challenge posters who make serious claims against any school. Most people back down when accused of inventing a story just to hurt a school's reputation. That's because most posters have a personal agenda that does not help visitors to this website.

I challenged you and you responded in a way that only genuine people do. I apologize for any comments that may have bothered you but it is necessary in order to keep the information on this site as useful to others and as near the truth as possible.

The real lesson here is that there is no such thing as a "Man to Man" contract.

P.S. We have quite a bit in common. I also resigned from SITC in Ho Chi Minh City just one month before they ran off with all the teachers' salaries and the students' tuition money.

Philip

Jun 21, 2012
Rating

Thanh Hoa Province Teaching Nightmare
by: Anthony

I helped open ACPI back several years ago ... I quit them after about a year. No contract, no help in Visa ... the same drill as most ESL's. After not working for them and not being attached, Mr. Pham invited me one day to ask if I would go to Thanh Hoa with all that was mentioned, transportation, salary, room and hours.

I went there with another individual who had been promised something a bit different...Well, I packed up my bags and books, shipped my motorbike and went North from HCM. This was the first week of May, 2011. Payday was on/about 15th and 30th...being paid (I knew) on the 20th and 5th. The other guy was not told this...and quit after the 16th...I stuck around for another week or so...still no pay.

The real kicker was the students and the school. There was no Syllabus...a weekly schedule sent by e-mail on the Saturday or Sunday before the class started on Monday for only a week. ACPI did not want me to make a syllabus due to the students. The computer system was a complete wipe out...nothing but virus, constant delays, and no security. I used only once and never again. I ended up buying a G-3 device.

The director of the school was in no way a 'manager' of any type. The students were OK, but did not want to be 'told' what to do...as they pretty much ran the place. You were lucky to get through one or two pages a day due to them taking 30 to 40 minutes of each class to gather information from each other during the start of the class.

The other teacher after another 3 weeks finally received half of his pay. As for me, I packed up after the 6th of June and had an enjoyable bike ride back to Ho Chi Minh...covering nearly 2200 km. It took me another month or so to receive my pay.

I was told back in HCM that the University was not sending ACPI the funds to pay the teachers...during conversations at Thanh Hoa, this had been a constant and continued problem...they could not keep teachers once there due to non payment and other reasons.

I've lived here for over 7 years, I've got my own work permit, temp resident card, drivers license and have not worked for ESL's for over 3 years. The jobs are there if you want to work their way, their hours and just show up and let students listen. Few demand students to enter a class 'prepared'. I won't waste my time with such...

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Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

Fair enough. A reasonable statement and not beyond the realm of the world of Teaching in Vietnam. I have heard many of your complaints before about many schools in Vietnam.

I have never heard a non payment claim against ACPI. I'm glad you eventually got your money.

But...

Any school in Vietnam that doesn't practice prompt and accurate payment of salary to its teachers will eventually hang themselves.

You may have just supplied them with the rope.

Philip.

May 17, 2012
Rating

ACPI English School Hater
by: Anonymous

Just so you know, if you do not get your pay in advance, you will get screw by them. They messed so bad with the payment for foreign teacher.

Mr --- ---- is a bad Viet Kieu who try to get as much as possible from their country and at the same time from foreign teacher. But they sure know how to promise you.

Some of my friends worked for them, quitted after two weeks and doesn't get pay.

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Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

I can tell by your grammar that you are Vietnamese. How could you possibly be qualified to advise Foreigners or have any idea how they are treated at ACPI?

You feel that you were treated unfairly and this post is an attack on ACPI and the Viet Kieu (Vietnamese people living overseas) owner. Viet Kieu are mostly disliked in Vietnam but it is mostly derived from jealousy. Many Vietnamese people want to hold an American passport and aggressively envy those who do.

That is what I think you are. If I am wrong then I apologize.

I have worked for ACPI and they are not stupid. I don't love them because they are always looking for ways to take advantage of foreign teaches that allow themselves to accept offers that are not on par with what they deserve.

I don't blame the school for that. I blame the people who don't bother to educate themselves about the going rate for pay of foreign teachers in Vietnam.

If I owned a school and a teacher offered to work for $500USD a month at 35 hours a week when the average salary is about $2,000USD a month for 25 hours a week, I will hire him. The school is a business and a business only exists to make money.

The one thing that kills a business like no other is failure to pay salary to employees in a prompt manner. ACPI may have faults but they don't dare delay payment to their emplyees. If they did, word would get out quickly and they would be out of business within a month. I therefore believe that your post is not honest advice to anyone here but a personal attack for personal reasons.

My only advice is that people do not accept their first ofer to work before learning what others are earning and what the going rate is. Negotiate pay rates at the end of your successful interview or before you start your first shift.

I told ACPI that I had better pay and more guaranteed hours at another school. They knew then that I was not stupid and began the negotiation process.

Employers in Vietnam don't respect you until you say no and fight for yourself in a calm and reasonable manner.

Please take your personal attacks elsewhere. You are not offering helpful advice to foreigners or anyone. You are merely hiding your true agenda within the guise of helpful advice.

Sorry, Mate. Been living in Vietnam too long for this.

Philip

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