Everything You Need To Know About Teaching English In Vietnam
9th May 2023
Vietnam is not just a rapidly developing country with a growing economy and a huge demand for English teachers. According to preply.com, in most of the country whose English is not the first language, almost 61.9% of the school, where English is being taught - source: preply.com
There are opportunities to teach English at all levels, from young learners to adults, in both private and public schools. Teaching English in Vietnam offers many benefits, including the chance to experience a new culture, learn a new language and culture, and save money at the same time. If you’re thinking about teaching English abroad, Vietnam should definitely be at the top of your list!
So, without any further delay, let’s get to know more details in if you teach English in Vietnam what are the benefits and what are the requirements of teaching as well?
Demand for TEFL Teachers in Vietnam
The demand for English teachers in Vietnam is huge. There are more than 90 million people in Vietnam, and English is the main language of international communication. As the country’s economy grows, so does the demand for English teachers.
Vietnam is filled with TEFL teaching opportunities. Vietnamese students are eager to learn, and they are willing to put in the effort to improve their English. The demand for learning English is just not from big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, but from small towns and even from rural areas as well.
Even if you're a fresher who wants to teach English in public school or wants to make a freelancing TEFL Teaching career, you can do that with little or no experience. Inexperienced English teachers can find opportunities to teach English in Vietnam with the help of organizations and agencies.
Since English is the language used internationally and in most of the corporate world as well, the demand for English teachers in Vietnam is only going to increase. This is the right time to pursue courses like the TEFL course in Vietnam and make the most of this opportunity.
Requirements To Teach English in Vietnam
There are certain requirements that you must meet to teach English in Vietnam. And They are:
1. A Bachelor’s or College Degree
You must have a college degree in order to teach English in Vietnam. This is especially true if you are looking for a full-time position.
2. TEFL certification
To be hired to teach English in Vietnam, you will need a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. This certificate takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete and is a must-have if you’re looking to teach English in Vietnam.
3. Teaching experience
Ideally, you should have some teaching experience before looking for jobs in Vietnam. However, even if you’re a beginner, there are still opportunities available.
4. Fluency in English
Although you don’t need to be a native English speaker. However, if you plan on teaching English in Vietnam, you must be able to communicate effectively in English.
5. Visa required
You will go to Vietnam on a tourist visa but you need a working visa to stay for a longer period of time in Vietnam. The tourist visa validity is about 15-30 days, however, it could get extended further if you land and secure a TEFL teaching job then your employer can help you to convert that tourist visa to a working visa.
Though there is a wide range of qualifications, some schools may require additional requirements such as a police background check or a medical check-up. Make sure to check what the exact requirements are before applying to any English teaching positions in Vietnam.
Benefits of teaching English in Vietnam
Teaching English in Vietnam is an increasingly popular option for experienced educators who want to work overseas. There are many benefits to teaching English in Vietnam, including:
1. Opportunity to Experience new Places and Culture
Vietnam is a country that has natural landscapes like Ha Long Bay with breathtaking views, cuisines like pho, beaches, rich culture, and history as well. It’s considered to be one of the most vibrant nations in the South-eastern part of Asia. This place is the perfect place to start your TEFL teaching journey where you can enjoy living in the place and doing a job at the same time.
2. Financial Benefits:
As Vietnam is one of the pocket-friendly countries because the cost of living is very cheap over there and with that, the salary is between $1,100-$1500USD, within which you can save plenty of it. Because the travel expenses, accommodation, and food prices are quite cheap over there.
3. Opportunities for Career Advancement
Many experienced English teachers in Vietnam find career advancement opportunities, such as starting their own English schools, or working as part-time trainers or consultants. Additionally, you can also become a freelancer TEFL teacher with your ongoing Teaching English job.
How to find teaching positions in Vietnam?
When it comes to finding teaching positions in Vietnam, there are two major routes to follow.
1. Research Online
The first is to research online and apply directly to language schools and academies. Some of these positions can be found on international job boards such as Indeed or Monster, but you may want to consider looking for teaching positions on regional job boards or websites, such as vietnamteachingjobs.com.
2. Inquire Directly
The second is to inquire about teaching positions directly with the school or academy. This is usually the best route to take if you want to find opportunities that are not advertised on public job boards.
3. Working with a recruitment agency
Lastly, you can work with a recruitment agency directly as they have multiple job opportunities, which can help the job seeker to land a TEFL teaching job in a reputable School as well. However, they may charge a fee for their services, so it’s important to factor this into your budget.
Note: Before considering taking the route of working with a recruitment agency, you must do some research on that agency on your own, because many recruitment agencies can be dubious about who takes money and then nowhere to be found.
What to expect when teaching English in Vietnam?
When teaching English as a foreign language in Vietnam, it’s important to be aware of cultural and language differences. Vietnam is a collectivistic society, which means that decisions are often made for the greater good rather than for an individual’s benefit.
You may also notice that English proficiency levels can vary greatly, even within the same class. Make sure you inform yourself about your students’ level of proficiency beforehand and adjust your lessons accordingly.
Students usually expect their teacher to be the authoritative figure. If a student has a question, they expect the teacher to be able to answer it. As a result, you may want to brush up on your knowledge and skills in the areas of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and phonology so you can assist them effectively.
Teaching English in Vietnam Experience is Surreal
Teaching English in Vietnam can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for both teachers and students. As a TEFL teacher will learn a lot and build unique relationships with students and with other people as well. With the right attitude and some cultural and language preparation, teaching English in Vietnam will be a thoroughly rewarding experience full of new and exciting opportunities, and not to forget you will get the opportunity to experience beautiful natural landscapes, beaches, culture, and exotic food as well.
Therefore, until now, if you were just thinking to teach English in Vietnam then what are you waiting for pursue courses like TEFL course in Vietnam and live your dream!
Written By : Abhishek