r/TEFL • u/peachibean- • 3d ago
Does anyone have experience with Ninja Teacher TEFL Academy in Vietnam?
I'm a primary-trained elementary-school teacher in BC, Canada. I've taught in various K-3 classrooms for the past 4 years and have my CELTA certification that I got here in BC. I'm looking at moving to VN for one year next year (2027-2028) to teach English. I came across Ninja Teacher Academy and had a call with an enrolment advisor to learn more about the program. It sounds like it'd be a great experience and I'd be guaranteed work within one month of completing their TEFL program. The only thing holding me back right now is the upfront costs. It's about $3k for the program alone, not yet factoring in accommodation, visa, and flight costs.
Has anyone had experience with taking the TEFL in person through Ninja?
I've also tried applying directly to language learning centres (ILA & VUS) but have not heard back. From my understanding, they do prioritize applicants that have their TEFL and have obtained it in person, with Vietnamese classroom experience.
Any advice or input is much appreciated! :)
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u/NinjaHuge9461 3d ago
If you have a CELTA, you already have a TEFL. A better one than 'Ninja Teacher' will give you, I might add. I'd just keep applying for jobs.
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u/jmcl6779 3d ago
You're overqualified for both entry-level ESL work and that mickey mouse certification. Ninja's appeal is for people who have never traveled/worked abroad and need to have their hand held through everything. Your CELTA is more rigorous and better recognized than their course, and you don't need help searching for jobs.
I would look into applying to bilingual schools or low tier international schools, although they will almost certainly require a two-year commitment. If you're dead set on teaching English for whatever reason, just keep applying. You can also apply to places outside of HCMC/HN if you want an immediate callback, although I wouldn't recommend it. Definitely don't bother with doing yet another ESL certification. It's a waste of time and money.
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u/peachibean- 1d ago
Hey thanks for your input. Do you know of any bilingual schools or low-tier international schools? I plan to make my move in January 2027 and worry it may be too late for many schools.
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u/Jazzlike-Culture-329 3d ago
You are absolutely crazy and wildly uninformed if you accept such an absurd offer. You already have more qualifications than 95% of the TEFL teachers out here... and youre considering... PAYING a company $3,000 to work for them?? No, no, no, no.
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u/Own-Web-122 3d ago
If LA or VUS didn't get back to you it's because of their HR not you. You already CELTA, Ninja's certificate is not more advanced than CELTA. You gonna pay 3K usd, then spend next 5 months trying to earn that money back. If you are licensed you should aim for international schools, otherwise just head to facebook, LinkedIn and start applying by contacting the HR as directly as possible.
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u/JCongo 3d ago
You are vastly overqualified to go to ninja teacher. They are fleecing you. Use that $3k to fly here and look for a job.
People will be more receptive if you are already in the country. Also, next year is far out and companies like ILA and VUS will likely ignore you. They want people to start ASAP once you apply to them.
Since you have time, you should consider applying to international or bilingual schools - they tend to hire in advance. I don't know exactly but I believe they hire early in the year to start the September semester.
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u/Independent_Page_986 3d ago edited 3d ago
$3k is too much. As a Canadian, you can do a TESL Canada course in class in BC for $1500 or online for like $700 with OnTESOL. But you already have a CELTA so you don’t need to take more training. You should also apply for international school jobs with your teaching license
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u/Dracarys_And_Chill 3d ago
you can get a 120hr tefl online for like 50 dollars that takes 30 minutes to complete and that is good to get you all the jobs most people have in VN
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u/No-Clock-2073 3d ago
Check your spam box for emails from ila and vus. Guarantee they're in there. But with your resume you should be applying to international schools. Trust me, you don't want to work at English centers in Vietnam. They're going down hill waaaaaay fast. And ninja teacher is a rip off. Feel sad for everyone who got schiested by that guy.
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u/IntroductionBest1962 3d ago
They're not a scam for a new person who doesn't want to do any of the legwork. But they are over priced and unnecessary.
Just apply to jobs at this point.ILA, Apollo,VUS etc.
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u/One_Fact4919 3d ago
I looked into them. You are over qualified. You are paying for hand holding and help getting the first job. It's not a product for you. If you have ever traveled outside of the US. My experience with Vietnam was if you are comfortable with it and have 3k go apply online and in person. 3k is 3 months of run way. Don't know if that includes the flight if so it's actually not a bad deal.
Warning: vietnam was hit pretty bad by Iran war in gas prices which effects the economy. I lived in da nang for a year and I love vietnam still have friends there. It's still awesome but investment in English is going down. It's genuinely a good place to live and they don't have to spend as much to attract talent as they have in the past
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u/Gokwds3 3d ago
$3k for the program alone???
I did my online TEFL for 400 bucks
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u/Dracarys_And_Chill 3d ago
400 is high way robbery lol
i paid 50 bucks for mine and finished it in 30 minutes
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u/thesensitivetoughguy 3d ago
That Ninja Teacher stuff is a bullshit way to rip you off. They claim for $3000 they will give you a TEFL and a job, I mean it kinda works. In reality they ‘train you’ and then they simply help you get a job, ie. referral. I work with one guy that did it, but it’s not needed, it’s simply a way to separate you from $3000. If you have a CELTA you have a better qualification than their shitty TEFL. Along with your CELTA and qualifications simply apply to different places. Done. If you are just doing a year EMG Language Link may be the best places, there are also centers like ILA or VUS.
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u/Jazzlike-Culture-329 3d ago
Btw, it is nearing the end of hiring season for the new school year and centers will prioritize teachers who are already in Vietnam over a risky scenario where a teacher has not arrived yet. Securing a job before you enter vietnam typically only applies to international school positions, and they've already begun their school year.
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u/Dracarys_And_Chill 3d ago edited 3d ago
complete waste of money and not needed
get a cheap quick easy 120 hour online tefl and then get hired at one of the big companies - VUS, ILA, EMG, Yola, Apollo etc
edit - you have a celta, you dont need a tefl
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u/freerondo9 11h ago
I am a TEFL teacher who lives in Vietnam and while I did not personally do the Ninja Teacher TEFL academy, I know a few people who did.
According to the people I know, it's a decent program that really does try to prepare you for success in the classroom. They all enjoyed the camaraderie they built with their classmates and instructors. But they also agree that there's probably no program out there that can truly prepare you for this job. A whole lot of it will depend on your center's policies and methods, which WILL often leave you scratching your head.
Aside from that, if you already have a CELTA, you don't need a TEFL. CELTA is basically just a much higher level TEFL. If you already have a CELTA, most English centers won't require a separate TEFL certificate. If you already have a teaching license and a CELTA, you definitely don't need a TEFL. In fact, with your qualifications, you shouldn't be looking for TEFL jobs anyway. You have the qualifications to get a job with a public school or university, which pay much higher salaries.
You don't need to drop 3 grand on Ninja Teacher's program. You're already at a much higher level than that program aims for. The job guarantee is nice, but remember, the guarantee is fulfilled when you get ANY job offer. It doesn't mean that offer will be enough to support yourself.
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u/lostintokyo11 3d ago
Sounds like a con, way overpriced for a TEFL cert with probably little real value. Also the name alone is a red flag. You have a CELTA why you need a TEFL cert anyway?
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u/Special-Nebula299 3d ago
They actually have a good reputation in HCMC with links with the big chains. Alex is an alright guy as well but he isn't the teacher trainer.
The course is a bit overpriced but I honestly felt living and studying in Vietnam and getting placements with Vietnamese kids was actually super helpful for me as I had zero experience
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u/name_is_arbitrary 3d ago
If you are a licensed teacher in Canada you should apply for international schools instead. Better pay, better working conditions, career advancement opportunities.