Now that more and more Vietnamese are becoming interested in learning to speak the English language, teaching English in Vietnam remains to be the most popular job for expats in the country. So if you’re thinking of moving to the country for good, you may want to consider teaching English. But before you do so, there are many things that you must first need to know. So here’s an overview of what it is to become an English teacher in Vietnam.
English Teaching Opportunities in Vietnam
About 10 years ago, the local government of Vietnam has revealed their plans of coming up with an English language program, which they call the “Project 2020”. The goal is for all Vietnamese students to be proficient with the English language by the time they finish their studies in 2020. So when the program kicked off, a lot of locals have shown interest in learning the language. Furthermore, the tourism industry in the country is booming and locals believe that learning the language is their gateway to getting a job in the field of tourism.
Because of this, many local entrepreneurs have established private language centers that are aimed at improving the local’s English speaking abilities. In most of these learning centers, students will be attending a 45-minute English class along with several other students. Unfortunately, each class has more than 40 students, which is not an ideal setting for learning the language. As a result, the demand for English teachers has significantly increased.
Where To Teach English in Vietnam
Most of the teaching jobs in Vietnam are concentrated in the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. But aside from these two cities, you’ll also find learning centers in the provinces of Nha Trang and Da Nang, although the demand is not really that high in these places.
As the country’s capital, Hanoi is the best place to look for teaching opportunities in Vietnam. There are also plenty of opportunities in Ho Chi Minh, which is the nation’s financial center. But take note that English teaching in Vietnam is very competitive these days. Therefore, you need to make sure that you excel in this field and that you have exactly what it takes to become an English teacher.
What Are the Requirements for Teaching English In Vietnam?
To be able to teach English in Vietnam, you must have at least a Bachelor’s degree. If English is your native language, then you have an advantage. Some schools will also require a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate before you can be allowed to teach. Those who have experienced teaching English in some other countries will also have an edge over other applicants and might be paid more than those who don’t have any experience.
Although most foreign teachers would look for jobs once they arrive at the country, it’s also possible to look for opportunities online ahead of your trip. However, most employers would prefer to interview applicants in person before hiring so you may have to go to the country at your own expense before you can land the job.
How Much Will You Earn To Teach English in Vietnam?
The salary of a foreign English teacher in Vietnam will greatly vary depending on several factors, although the average monthly salary is from $800 to as much as $2,000. This might sound like a small amount of money but the cost of living in Vietnam is so cheap so earning this much should be sufficient. Also, some schools will provide the board and lodging, along with food and other basic amenities.
Language center teachers are usually paid around $18 to $23 per hour. The number of hours you will be working in a day will depend on the contract that you have signed for. Those who cannot find work at schools and language centers would work as private tutors for both adults and kids. The pay would be around $10 to $15 per hour, although this will also depend on the number of individuals you are tutoring. Private tutoring is a good start for those who don’t have experience in teaching English in an actual school.
Conclusion
Overall, teaching English in Vietnam is such a rewarding and exciting experience. The job is fun as it allows you to learn more about the local culture and you get to meet lots of friends as well, both the locals and fellow foreign teachers. But before you embark into this opportunity, it may be worth it to do your research and find out for yourself if this is really something that you wanted to do.
Remember, you cannot expect to make good money out of teaching English in Vietnam especially if you don’t have enough experience in the field. So if your main goal is to earn money, then this career may not be for you. Most of the foreign teachers who decided to teach English in Vietnam have done it simply because it is their passion and they wanted to experience life in the country and experience its vibrant culture.
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