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July 20, 2004
First Job in Phnom Penh!
19th – dropped off old daelim moto to Angkor, got a Honda Wave from Lucky Lucky ($45 per month, instead of $3 per day) and paid $140 for a 6 month multi-entry visa extension. I dropped off my CV to Vinh, and he pretty much hired me on the spot. My CELTA (Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching for Adults) was one factor for hiring me, as there was another potential candidate (without CELTA), and Vinh’d like to use me for a business English course later on. So, I am to teach some kind of Information Systems subject, but they haven’t got the books yet, doh! I went to the Russian markets and bought some Polo Ralph Lauren pants (‘actually’ genuine, from what I can tell) for $5, a Cambodian GAP shirt for $3, a couple of cheap Chinese silk shirts for $2.50 each and a silvery-blue tie for $1.50.
I met Vinh back at the school at 5pm, to read the syllabus (and hoping to read the book, but still no). It is not actually anything related to what Vinh told me. In fact, it specifically excludes what he told me about (I think he was reading about the more advanced subject which might come after this). However, it’s a pretty easy introductory subject, relating to IT systems and how to use and care for them in a business environment. Apparently the pass rate is not as high as other subjects, primarily due to the amount of technical jargon, ie. the language/vocab is an issue for the students. I met a few of the students (the class will have around 12 students) during the beginning of the first class of another teacher.
So, I’ve got a job! I’ll be teaching at the Regent School of Business, teaching (for now) one subject, 3 hours a week, $15 per hour. The course that is run is a Professional Accounting Program, which leads to qualifications of CAT, Bachelor of Science in Applied Accounting (from Cambridge Brookes University) and eventually to the ACCA. These mean nothing to me, but apparently they are respected Accounting certifications. Regent is one of the better business schools in Cambodia, one of the most expensive (for students), and one of the best paying (for teachers). I was told that they consider the academics of the students highly, which, in corrupt times, is exceptional. This goes to show how a model of paying staff well leads to higher quality education (Is the Cambodian Government reading this?).
Anyhow, after the meeting, I went home to find that Monica arrived back today. After relaying the goings on of her trip to Hene and I, she seemed pretty tired, with quite a few things on her mind, so I didn’t have much opportunity to talk. She’s accepted a job with ADRA Australia, as a Regional Program Coordinator, which she’s very excited about, leaving in as soon as a month!
Speaking of leaving, Sharyn, Ben and 7/9ths of the plus one are heading back to Oz on the 20th in preparation for birth. I’m writing this ON the 20th, and I didn’t have the opportunity to see them before they left, which is a shame. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll be here when the three of them return.
20th – I got a call from Vinh today, he’s got all my paperwork sorted (but still none of the new books), and even told me about a decent apartment for $120 per month that might be available.
Posted by Dan at July 20, 2004 03:43 AM