Vietnam

Vietnam has a rapidly growing economy and has seen a huge increase in foreign investment and tourism in recent years. This fast paced development has led to an ever increasing demand for EFL teachers throughout the country, so as long as you have an internationally recognised TEFL certificate you should have no trouble finding a suitable teaching position. The majority of the well paid positions can be found in Ho Chi Minh City (formally Saigon), as well as the port city of Da Nang and the capital city, Hanoi. Away from the big cities you might find that the majority of positions are on a voluntary basis which will provide a great opportunity to experience the more traditional side of Vietnam’s people and culture.

How to Find a TEFL Job in Vietnam

It is sometimes possible to secure a teaching position in Vietnam from outside of the country as a small number of employers advertise their vacant positions online. However, if you want a wider choice of positions or want to work in a certain area, then it is a good idea to simply start your job search once you arrive in the country. You should also make sure that you do some research into any schools that you apply to as working conditions vary considerably between employers.

The simplest and most effective approach is to first decide on the area that you want to live and work in and then contact all the schools you can find in that area directly. It is important that you are professional in attitude and appearance at all times and that you possess an up-to-date CV/resume which you can leave with potential employers. You should also be prepared to teach a practice lesson as potential employers often like to see how you perform in the classroom before they offer you a position.

Questions to Ask Employers

If you are offered a teaching position that you are interested in, you should make sure that you are clear on a few important issues before you accept the job or sign a contract. Firstly, you should make sure that you have precise details regarding your pay scale, the amount of hours you will be expected to work, as well as any benefits you are entitled to such as travel expenses, health care or housing support. It is also a good idea to know what equipment and materials you will have access to when planning and carrying out your lessons. Finally, you should also enquire about the need for work permits or visas and whether the employer will help with the organisation and expense of any official paperwork you may require.

Job Expectations in Vietnam

The Vietnamese culture and lifestyle is obviously somewhat different to that of the west, however, as education in general is highly regarded throughout the country you should find that working here as an EFL teacher is a pleasurable experience. Vietnamese students are fully aware of the benefits of education so they are usually highly motivated to succeed in the classroom. Salaries are also generally good in relation to the cost of living so you should be able to afford to live quite comfortably while living and working in Vietnam.