Comments for ACPI English Schools

Vietnam

Cambodia

China

Teach to Travel

Site Information

[?] Subscribe To This Site

Comments for
ACPI English Schools

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 08, 2012
Rating

Vietnamese Culture in the Workplace
by: thuy

"Send an Email and they just see an Email. Stand at the foot of their desks and they suddenly equate you as a real, breathing human. Dunno why. Culture?"

Hi, Philip

I don't know how long you have lived in Vietnam but your knowledge about this place is amazing.

Actually, what you said above is true. Vietnamese people consider sending an email or calling for a job is rude. It means that you're not serious about your job. And one more thing, we don't like "talking with machines". We prefer a face-to-face conversation.

I saw some foreigners came in person for an interview but they wore a T-shirt and shorts. Just looking at them and I know what will happen then.

The first impression is kind of important here.

======================

Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

I have lived in Vietnam for just 3 years but I love to observe people. Thank you for the compliment, Thuy. It is perhaps the greatest reward.

I always knew that Vietnamese employers looked down upon emailed resumes but had no idea that it was considered rude. It just shows how important it is to have some understanding of how Vietnamese culture affects hiring practices.

I think it is obvious that wearing a t-shirt and shorts to any interview is unacceptable. I guess some people figure that the schools are so desperate to hire foreigners that they will overlook what is universally unacceptable.

That is far from the truth. Look your best if you are in need of work and are asked to attend an interview. Vietnamese people put huge value on personal presentation. It is an indication of how well you care for yourself and how well you will perform in your job.

The best way to get work in Vietnam is fairly simple. Dress and look your best, then walk into the schools and personally pass your resume to the person who does the hiring.

Philip.

Feb 28, 2012
Rating

ACPI English School Ho Chi Minh City
by: Anonymous

Has anybody worked for this outfit since then? I spoke with Mr. Pham and he struck me as a straight-forward man.

The pay rate he offered me was much more than what was stated in the OP.

======================

Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

A straightforward man to you is another man's nightmare. I talk to teachers still working there quite regularly. There are always happy teachers and some that just have trouble getting on with some of the staff.

ACPI is a decent place and as I have said before, your pay offer is usually pretty reasonable. I hear that Mr. Pham can become unhappy quite quickly if you were to publicly make him 'lose face'.

None of them like 'losing face'. Expect to be treated quite poorly if you venture there with anyone who has the capability of firing you.

Personally, I just focus on the students. Office politics in Vietnam are best ignored. The students are mostly a good bunch.

Philip

Jun 14, 2011
Rating

I'll Never Trust ACPI Vietnam Again!
by: stephen socorso

I've worked for ACPI; was one of the first to assist in opening both of their schools.

I haven't worked for them in the 2 years of more, but was requested to assist in teaching at a University in Thanh Hoa recently (May 2011). I went. Transportation provided. The berthing for the teachers is a 2 out of 5 rating. The classes are on the 5th floor, no elevator. The course requested was TOEFL to two groups of Grads looking for completion to go overseas.

The Administration and management from both the university and ACPI are poor. There is a 'schedule' for classes, if you can actually call it a schedule. No syllabus of any kind. The computers are operated at Windows 2003 and are full of virus material. The students pretty much run the speed of what is done.

I was there only three weeks and couple days...did not and have not received any pay for such. As it has happened to another who traveled with me. He's still looking for two weeks pay. I have been told that some 13 individuals have been in and out as teachers since August 2010...pay being the major problem...or lack of such.

I've known them for four years now...never thought this would happen.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Teaching English in Vietnam

Return to ACPI English Schools

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2012 travel-budget-asia.com

A portal to the Most Informative, off the Beaten Path South East Asia Travel Information on the Internet.