Category: vietnamesl

Teaching English in Vietnam.

How to help your child learn English at home.

Why you should teach your child English at home.

Helping your child learn English at home.

With schools closed due to the Corona virus, parents all over the world are wondering how they can help their children learn English at home. Sure, teachers are teaching online, but as parents, we can do a lot more.

When instructors and parents collaborate, children have a better chance of succeeding in school. Every interaction you have with your child during the day can be used to help them develop their English skills.

Here are some ideas to help home study.

Have fun.

We have a lot of duties as busy parents. It’s all about finding the appropriate balance when it comes to teaching or leading the learning process at home.

Teachers in schools must plan timetables and lessons for the entire class. You have more freedom to focus on your child’s preferred interests and activities when you learn at home. You can consider what will be most beneficial to your child.

Learners of all ages achieve more when they enjoy and find their work engaging and meaningful. Don’t be frightened to have a good time!

Try new things.

There are a lot of online resources to help, so do not be scared to try different things. You have English learning apps, websites, English rhymes, and songs to name a few. To find out how your child likes to learn and what things do they enjoy.

Children’s picture books

For young children learning English, this method can open them to a whole new realm of learning. It can be difficult to select the correct books, but it is critical to recognize the advantages of having this one-on-one relationship with your child.

Picture books give parents and children a compelling incentive to change from their native language to English. The predefined text of a picture book is a very valuable prop for parents who perform poorly in English.

Flashcards.

Flashcards can be a very useful tool. Especially for the beginner or younger learner. Teaching individual worlds is an important part of the learning process and flashcards provide pictures along with the words and pictures.

Rather than a boring home lesson you can make it fun by turning learning into a game. For example, You can buy 2 sets of the same flashcards and play a memory-based game.

Place the flashcards face down and your child has to remember where the 2 that are the same were placed. Laugh and learn will also instill a desire from your child to learn.

==> Using flashcards to teach English <==

Rhymes and songs

Repeating rhymes and songs is a fun method of learning new vocabulary in English. You can create a collection of songs that your child can listen to over and over to become comfortable with keywords.

==> Rhymes and songs to learn English <==

Apps that help your child learn English

Improve your child’s English skills with these entertaining and educational applications! These games, podcasts, videos, and quizzes are designed for kids of all ages and will help them learn English at home or on the go. You can learn more about them by clicking here.

==> Apps for children to learn English <==

Comics, TV, and video games.

Who doesn’t love cartoons, comics, and playing online games.? Okay, not everyone. But a lot of children do. And if you can get your child to read comics, watch cartoons and play games in English, they will learn faster.

Find what they enjoy doing and try to get them to do it in English. The cartoon network in English is a great tool for home learning.

Word searches and other games

Word searches can be a great tool as long as they are not overused. They can be used as a reward for a lesson well done.

However, as a stand-alone tool, it is questionable. It certainly helps with word recognition if used in the right way. Find a word search that relates to the topic you are teaching and the words you have taught.

There are online word search makers that you can use to specifically target the words taught in your childs lesson.

Things to think about.

What does your child like to do in his or her spare time? Drawing? going outside to play? comics? Do they enjoy reading stories? Dancing? indoor games or puzzles?

Make an effort to engage in some of their favorite activities in English.

Is your child more active at different times of the day? Do they like the mornings or the afternoons? What do they do after learning? Do they want something to eat? Choose the perfect moment to tackle the most difficult tasks!

What is your child’s preferred method of absorbing information? Is it possible to teach off-the-cuff during these times? Make a list of what works best for them.

Do you want your child to be able to make their own decisions about their education? Or do they prefer to make decisions with you? Always remember to ask them for their opinions and to encourage them as they build their own study skills.

Can I help if I don’t speak English?

Yes! Encouragement and praise are the finest ways to provide the best support for your child. This boosts your child’s self-esteem and belief in their own abilities.

Encourage children when they take charge of their own education and congratulate them on their efforts

You could even give your youngster the task of teaching English to a member of your family. Did you know that one of the most effective methods to learn is to teach someone else? You could even ask that they teach you.

Conclusion.

Whatever you do, make it fun. Your child will love you all the more for you taking the time out of your day to spend with them.

To develop the love of learning in your child will mean they will want to learn and they will increase any learning skill quicker.

Remember the first skill in learning any language is the listening skill, so the more they listen to English, the faster they will learn.

And be patient, learning anything takes time. And learning a language is one of the most difficult things to do. But small steps now will lead to big leaps in the future.

Who am I?

I am an EFL ( English as a Foreign Language ) teacher who owns a school in Vietnam. I have been here for 15 years and experienced most teaching situations.

From teaching in state schools with 50 plus students to a class to one on one private lessons. I have taught in English centers both good and bad, and the bad decided me to open my own school.

You can check out my school in Vietnam below by hitting on the YouTube button.

My school in Vietnam

 

Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

What is it like teaching English online?

 

Teaching English online

Welcome to my world of teaching English online.

The life of an online EFL teacher can be very different depending on where you work, how many hours you teach each week, and the level of your students, among other things.

So, to assist you to answer that question here’s a real-life example of what it’s like to be an online EFL teacher.

Who am I?

First, who am I? I am an EFL ( English as a Foreign Language ) teacher who owns a school in Vietnam. I have been here for 15 years and experienced most teaching situations.

From teaching in state schools with 50 plus students to a class to one on one private lessons. I have taught in English centers both good and bad, and the bad decided me to open my own school.

Covid and online teaching

And now with the Covid epidemic sweeping the world, most schools have been teaching online. Teaching online can be frustrating and it can be funny. How you approach the challenge of online teaching ( and upgrading your knowledge ) makes the difference between a good lesson or a boring one.

You can have students that are lazy and turn off the camera and those that actively participate in class. This can be found in just about every class. To overcome this as much as possible you need to make it fun and use the right online tools.

Teaching online can be fun

If you make it fun for the students they will embrace the learning. Laugh and learn has always been my motto. The joy of learning a language is the first thing that should be taught. Once your students are hooked on the learning and fun, life becomes much easier as a teacher. This is true for both online and classroom situations.

I recently had an older student tell me a risque joke. That is when you know they love learning. Telling a joke in a foreign language is one of the hardest things to do. If your students can do that you know you are heading in the right direction.

Two students’ risque jokes.

Why don’t roosters have arms? because hens don’t have breasts.

Why are noodles ( this is Vietnam ) and women the same? Because when you eat them they both wiggle.

Yes, a bit precocious. But a different culture and we should not judge. As teachers of EFL, we are guests in a foreign country. And this is something I see every day, especially with new teachers. You can not bring your values and try to instill them into a different culture.

Why else do I like online teaching?

You have the opportunity to have a free discussion about anything. The majority of kids are eager to learn about their teachers’ cultures and traditions. And they are also eager to share their own cultural makeup as well. Quite often you will find students opening up about things that they will never tell their parents.

For example, I was joking around in class trying to get the students to talk off the cuff. So I said ” Kitty do you love David” She went hmm, maybe a little crush. Then David blurted out “no teacher, I’m gay” Something he probably has not told his parents. So the trust factor in teaching is a huge responsibility.

And this is possibly something they would never have shared in a classroom. The supposed anonymity of the online world sometimes helps forge closer bonds between students and teachers if done in the right way.

Rewarding.

Teaching online or in any environment is incredibly rewarding. Not just in the monetary sense, but also emotionally rewarding as well.

When you have a student ring you up thanking you for their high TOEIC score or the students’ parents dropping off a present to say thanks. This is the motivation for teaching.

Bringing people together so we all understand one another better is one of my objectives.

Teaching online brings many rewards but if we just look at the financial ones, you can expect to make about $18 to $30 in Vietnam and even higher if you run your own classes.

Is teaching online difficult?

Teaching students who don’t have any knowledge of speaking English is the most difficult. If you don’t have patience, you might end up getting frustrated and angry in class. This is a no-no.

keep your facial expressions, gestures, and voice in happy mode, whatever happens. Keep cool and maintain a friendly atmosphere. Patience is the key.

Also, when dealing with beginners, we need to be alert and hands-on at all times. Understanding their pronunciation and what the younger learners mean can be a challenge.

Flyers for young learners

But once your students get to the Flyer stage and higher it can be a lot of fun, with student interaction spurring you on to even greater levels.

How do I become an online teacher?

You’ll need a laptop or PC with a fast internet connection, a headset with a microphone (or a built-in microphone), and a quiet, well-lit space to hold your sessions to get started as an online English teacher. It couldn’t be much easier.

However, not everyone is capable of doing so. Do you enjoy working with children and teenagers? Are you willing to work on lesson plans for a few hours outside of class, usually unpaid?

Do you hold a bachelor’s degree and have completed a TESOL or TEFL course? If you can answer yes to the above and love to travel, whether virtually or in the real world, this amazing career could be for you.

How do I get a job?

Put together your resume and get your teaching certificates and degree notarized at your consulate or local government body and start applying online. This may take some time as a beginner, but there is help.

And, yes that is me. If you want to teach online or even come and live in Asia, whether Vietnam or Thailand, I can assist you in finding a rewarding career as an English teacher.

Teacher placements in Vietnam is what I do to help new teachers avoid the pitfalls and experienced teachers get up and teach quickly. Whether in the classroom or online, I can help find you a well-paying position with a good school.

Conclusion

The thrill and excitement of seeing your students learn and progress is one of the many advantages of being a teacher.

Despite the fact that teaching is not one of the highest paying professions due to the long hours necessary, individuals that enjoy being in the classroom regard it as one of the most fulfilling careers ever.

So, if you are up for a lifetime of adventure leave me a message and I will help support you to get the job you want.

My House in Vietnam

Everything is cheap in Asia and so is the cost of a house. But I prefer to rent as my 3 story Villa only costs me $600 per month. You can check it out below on the YouTube button.

Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

 

Are schools reopening in HCMC, Vietnam, or not?

Vietnam schools are scheduled to reopen.

Are schools reopening in HCMC, Vietnam, or not?

Yes, they are, but with a twist brought on by the severity of the Covid -19 virus. At the moment it is planned for children to start school again on December 13th. They will have to expect changes in the school and in the classrooms.

As kids return to school on December 13, schools in Ho Chi Minh City are devising flexible strategies to reopen them. The safety of students and teachers is a top priority. So the schools are devising plans to reduce the spread of Covid among the students and teachers

Currently, more than 98 percent of school pupils have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccination. But a large number of parents are still worried about sending their children back to school.

And with good reason. I just learned tonight that one of my student’s fathers’ died and was cremated before the family got to see his body. The government is taking drastic action in trying to prevent the further spread of Covid.

Plans to reduce the risk of Covid.

Some of these plans include the use of hand sanitizers, medical masks, and extra disinfectant lights in the restrooms. They will also be supplied to all classrooms. And a medical isolation facility will also be created near the school gate for the treatment of suspected cases.

Class numbers will be limited to 35 students in each class. seats will be arranged to ensure that the students are kept at a safe distance from one another.

To guarantee the safety of students, large-group classes will be held in larger classrooms and libraries.

The schools have also purchased vitamins C, D, and zinc to give to pupils when they return to school to help them build their immune systems.

How will they teach?

For the remainder of the first semester, the schools will combine face-to-face and online instruction.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education, low-risk high schools can resume classroom teaching for 30 hours per week, but medium-risk facilities can only operate for 18 hours per week.

Basic courses like math, literature, foreign languages, chemistry, and physics will be taught in class, while subjects like technology, art, and music will continue to be taught online.

Grades 6, 9, and 12.

Students in grades 6, 9, and 12 will have no more than 18 face-to-face classes per week. In particular, educational institutions on level 4 alert (very high-risk areas) will only offer online instruction, some broadcasts on television, as well as provide students with lessons to study at home.

Grade 1

For kids in Grade 1, primary schools in Covid-19 alert level 1 locations will be allowed to resume half-day face-to-face sessions.

Schools in Covid-19 alert level 2 locations will be able to run half-day lessons with 50% of the total number of 1st graders per day.

First-graders in Covid-19 alert level 3 locations will return to a half-day session three days a week. Each day’s session has 50% of the total number of students.

Students in Covid-19 alert level 4 locations will only have access to online learning.

English centers

English training centers that have been unable to open have been running virtual classes online. And even though this is not as effective, in my opinion, as face-to-face teaching, it has provided some tuition for the students. As well as welcome funds for the teachers.

Many English centers have suffered and a lot have closed. Some taking teachers’ pay and the student’s fees along with them.

However after a lengthy time closed a lot of the English centers that remain are re-opening their doors in Saigon.

The planned reopening coincides with the schedule of the State schools.

Are flights open again?

Flights are being reopened from December 15th with a two-phase reopening plan

As part of a two-phase reopening plan, Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has proposed that international flights on nine routes across Asia and the United States begin on December 15.

If permitted, the first phase will begin this week with four weekly flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the United States, as well as Singapore, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Laos, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei.

From January 1, 2022, phase two of the project asks for more routes, including Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, and Sydney.

The first phase will include flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with the second phase expanding to include Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, and Van Dong.

You can find out more at the Vietnam Airlines website. ==> HERE <==

Is it safe to travel to Vietnam.

Vietnam is opening its doors again and if you are fully vaccinated you will not need to be quarantined. If you are unvaccinated you will be quarantined on arrival at your cost. Vietnam is still considered to be a high-risk country to travel to.

Yes, you can come to Vietnam but you will be required to wear a mask outdoors and you should be fully vaccinated. If you want to come to teach it will be mandatory for classroom teachers to be fully vaccinated.

However, there are some jobs that only require online teaching which do not need the teachers to be vaccinated.

More schools will be going back to classroom teaching so in my opinion if you want to teach in Vietnam and you do not want the shots you will find it very difficult to support yourself.

Conclusion.

While the schools are reopening there will be a big demand for English teachers. Many teachers left Vietnam at the start of the pandemic and there are not enough teachers to fill the demand that will happen.

It is completely up to you if you wish to risk coming to Vietnam and I would advise to liaise with your embassy or travel advisory body before deciding.

Who am I?

My name is Stephen and I have been living and working in Vietnam for 15 years. I have my own school and also do teacher placements in Vietnam. You can check out my house on YouTube below.

Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

 

What is “Teacher Placements in Vietnam”

Hanoi lake is an experience to be enjoyed

Placing teachers in great schools

Vietnam ESL and Teacher Placements

Because there is such a high need for qualified English teachers in Vietnam, VietnamESL launched the English Placement Program in Vietnam in 2021 to assist teachers from other countries in entering and successfully obtaining a position at a Vietnamese school or center.

We also offer introduction services to schools wanting online teachers. During the Covid pandemic, most schools closed but they still need qualified and competent EFL teachers.

While many websites provide a click-and-search service, we set ourselves apart by offering a personalized service that puts you in direct contact with the owner or human resource management.

Our Vietnam teachers support program.

Our support starts even before you come to Vietnam. We introduce teachers to only those schools that are recognized as being both professional and honest in their dealings with NES ( Native English Speaking ) Teachers.

You will be talking with ex-pats who, like me, have been in Vietnam for a long time. Vietnamese who are bilingual will also help you overcome any problems you may have.

We Also…

Connect & match secured job offers from legitimate employers with Teachers’ expectations in Vietnam. We will liaise with the school to get your documents processed faster and get you teaching quicker.

Provide Airport pick-up and departure services. You will then be taken to a clean and comfortable hotel on arrival. Bi-lingual support when first arriving will solve a lot of problems.

Organize accommodation on arrival if needed. Being on the ground in Vietnam we know the good and safe hotels. We normally arrange 2 nights stay ( Or more if needed ) so you can have a base to call home.

Provide local sim cards and a video explaining the “dos’ and donts” in Vietnam. Some cultural differences are important to know first off. And a quick education into understanding exchange rates will stop a lot of potential rip-off situations.

Provide Emergency contact numbers. All too often people who first come to Vietnam will have some problems. Whether it is a motorcycle accident, dental emergency, or health scare. Or even being kicked out of their apartment. We provide emergency services.

Visa and Covid advice. We provide a list of trusted and respected professionals who will help you. We do not charge for this service. Vietnam is a developing country and there are some unscrupulous businesses that will charge exorbitant amounts for things you can do yourself. We are not one of those.

Provide Classroom advice and Teacher training. Either online advice or face-to-face tuition can be provided if needed. There are a lot of resources available and we can help you maximize your in-class experiences.

How do we do it? | Step by Step.

  • STEP 1
    You provide us with all the necessary documents (Degree, teaching certificate, updated resume, police check, health check ) for scanning. It is a good idea to get your paperwork notarized before you leave your country. This is a form of certification you can organize at your consulate or embassy.

  • STEP 2
    VietnamESL will gather your paperwork and find suitable schools depending on your qualifications and experience.
  • STEP 3
    We will send all your paperwork to connect you with our suggested employers and find those best suited to your skills.
  • STEP 4
    After your agreement on the schools we recommend we will set up an online interview.
  • STEP 5
    More often than not you will be asked to do an online demonstration class. ( Post Covid it will be a classroom demo. ) This is where you need to shine.
  • STEP 6
    Read the offer and contract and accept or decline.

    If you accept you need to organize your visa and book your ticket to come to Vietnam. ( Once classroom teaching starts )

    What is it like now

Currently, most schools are teaching online, but the same steps apply. When the schools reopen again they will require you to travel to Vietnam as quickly as possible. There is a shortage of good qualified and vaccinated teachers in Vietnam so this is an opportune time to take advantage of the scarcity of people like you.

What can I earn?

There are a number of positions available now that will pay between $17 to $23 ( I have seen up to $30 ) or more depending on your qualifications and experience. The schools have become a lot more flexible in age requirements so do not hesitate even if you are over 55.

Depending on your background, you may be eligible for benefits such as housing, work permit assistance, and end-of-contract bonuses.

The salary as mentioned will comfortably cover your living expenses, which in Vietnam are far lower than in most Western countries.

You will get at least one day off per week to travel around Vietnam and see the sights and scenery. Shorter contracts may pay less, but the amount is determined by the number of hours worked, so the harder you work, the more you get.

How much money should I bring?

Before you go, our support team will guide you through everything to ensure you have precisely what you need when you need it.

However, in order to be comfortable, you should bring about $4,000 with you. The majority of schools pay in arrears on a monthly basis. You definitely do not want to run out of funds in your first month in a new country.

What is it like teaching in Vietnam?

Because the locals are eager to learn English, there are a variety of opportunities for both adults and children to learn the language.

Most schools are currently teaching online, but when classrooms reopen, you will be required to be completely vaccinated against Covid and qualified as a teacher.

Because schools are still closed due to the effects of Covid, online teaching has become the norm. For teachers who are used to teaching in a classroom, this has caused some challenges.

Some of my favorite teaching materials can be found online: ==> HERE <==.

However, it won’t be long until we’re back in the classrooms.

More information about Vietnam and teaching can be found ==> HERE<==

Conclusion.

We provide the personal touch and are people who have lived and worked in Vietnam for a long time. If you want to speak with a native English speaker and get the real information on what and who is good or not so good contact us below.

Contact us.

For any service you choose or if you need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us through email at…

stephen@vietnamesl.com

Or leave a comment below.

Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

How to learn Vietnamese fast | Or any Language

The Best ways to learn a language.

Learning a new language

Learning a new language necessitates the acquisition of new vocabulary. There is a lot of vocabulary in every language, but you do not need to know or learn every word.

Many people blame their poor memory for their inability to learn new words, so they give up before ever getting started. Quite often it is because they try to learn too much.

To speak a language you do not need to know all of its vocabulary or phrases

Make use of the Pareto principle and know that putting in 20% of your effort to learn new vocabulary can result in 80 percent comprehension in a language.

For example, only 300 words make up 65 percent of all written material in English. We use those words frequently, and every other language does as well.

How do I learn a language fast?

The brain seems to work at different speeds with different languages. Changing from one language to another is like shifting gears in a car.

This is difficult at a beginner’s level because you will need an explanation of the words or phrases in the new language you can’t understand,

But these tips and hacks will help you learn faster.

My Tips and hacks to learn faster.

Set Goals. Setting goals for what you want to achieve is the first step in learning a new language quickly.

How do you know what you want to achieve and judge if you’ve achieved it if you don’t set goals?

Most of us are intimidated by the prospect of learning a new language. There are a lot of words to learn and a lot of ways to study. Setting goals helps you focus your attention so you can quit sweating the small stuff and get down to work.

Don’t get distracted by anything that is different from your native language. Turn off your phone or switch it to the language you are trying to learn.

Change the language of your computer to the language you are trying to learn. Fully immerse yourself in the language you wish to learn.

Create an environment without distractions of other languages. For example; Don’t listen to English songs if you are trying to learn Vietnamese. And visa versa.

Use Flashcards. To help with learning, flashcards of the most common words can be downloaded or purchased. Good flashcard methods use a repetition mechanism and are available in a variety of phone apps these days.

You hear words at deliberately spaced intervals, just before you forget them, rather than going through the same list of vocabulary the same way every time.

Don’t overextend your learning. Losing direction and motivation after feeling motivated and full of energy and ambition is normal. And the issue is due to poor planning or unrealistic goals.

So, instead of planning for those times when we will be full of energy why not plan for those times when we will be exhausted? If you feel drained, take it easy and still learn.

Wear a headset and listen to music in the language you’re learning. Watch children’s cartoons, read comic books. Even if when you don’t feel inspired you can still learn passively.

The number one skill of learning any language is the listening skill. Babies do not speak their native language as soon as they are born, they listen and then form words. You can do the same.

Use Social Media. Begin an online conversation with a native speaker, someone who has spent their entire life speaking that language. You only need to learn a few things for your first chat.

But if you utilize it right away, you’ll see what’s missing and can fill in the gaps. You can’t study alone until you’re “ready” for any kind of social connection.

Speak out loud. Do not be shy. Make use of everything you know, focus on communication more than perfection. Sure, you could wait until you’re ready to say “Excuse me, Sir, could you point me in the direction of the closest bar”.

But “bar where ?” will convey the same information. So even though it’s not perfect you will get the same message across.

And maybe you will be helped in your phrases at the same time. It will be evident that you’re a learner, you’ll be forgiven for being straightforward.

Moreover, you will be congratulated for trying to learn the native language of the country you are visiting or living in.

Jump in the deep end. Talk to your native buddy about their weekend activities, and tell them about yours. Then talk about something that’s on your mind and try to communicate your thoughts.

It’s critical to take an active role and ensure that you’re having a diverse range of talks. Make a list of topics you’d like to talk about and bring them up (hobbies, favorite music, vacation plans, etc.) to keep the discussion moving.

Learn the culture. It takes more than just reading words on a page to comprehend a language. It’s also good to understand the culture and history which will help understand the use of the language.

Understanding the history, current events, religious beliefs, and common customs of a country or culture can help you grasp a lot of what people say and do.

People can understand a second language better when they comprehend the culture and background behind the language they are trying to learn.

Test yourself. Try to regularly test yourself in little ways. If you’re learning from a textbook, take practice tests or complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.

You can also play online games or take online tests. Online practice tests can be found in almost any language

Get a Teacher. It is easy to plan to succeed yet fail. If you have a course or teacher that you have paid for you will be more driven to learn. You will not want to waste the money you have spent and will commit to a more rigorous style of learning.

UDEMY provides some great resources with native teachers if you are not in the country you wish to learn the language of.

Use a phone app. There are a lot out there, Duolingo, Mondly, and a host of others. I have used and tested a lot of them and my favorite for ease of use and resources is Mondly. But find what is right for you and stick to the program.

Conclusion.

Language acquisition is a very personal experience, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, one important aspect of learning is to laugh a lot and have fun, as well as to express thanks when people aid you.

While you can accomplish a lot in a few months, you must practice, study, and use your new language as much as possible. When you achieve fluency in a language, though, it tends to stick with you for the rest of your life.

Who am I?

My name is Stephen and I am an EFL teacher in Vietnam. I have taught English as a Foreign Language for over fifteen years and have my own school.

I also place native English teachers in schools around Vietnam. Teaching is something I love, along with traveling and discovering new cultures. Street food is a passion of mine and I try to partake as often as possible.

You can check out my house in Vietnam by clicking on the YouTube button below.

Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

How to teach English in Vietnam


Teaching English in Vietnam

For several years, teaching English in Vietnam has been highly popular. The unique culture, vibrant marketplaces, tropical environment, and friendly people are all reasons to visit.

Vietnam stretches along the South China Sea’s coast and has borders with three other nations. It has become a popular destination for backpackers, vacationers, and English teachers.

Because the locals are eager to learn English, there are numerous options to teach both adults and children.

Currently, most schools are teaching online but once the classrooms reopen you will be expected to be fully vaccinated against Covid.

What kinds of jobs are available?

Having a TESOL or TEFL qualification can provide you a big edge in the eyes of your employer if you want to be an EFL instructor, especially in Vietnam. What kinds of teaching jobs can you get with them, though? Continue reading to find out!

Get Qualified.

Before you start your journey as a teacher you will need to be TEFL or TESOL qualified. You can use a course provided by UDEMY to get your Teaching Certificate.

Udemy

Teaching Online

Teaching online has become the norm recently as schools are still closed because of the effect of Covid. This has presented some learning curves for teachers who are used to classroom teaching. You can find out some of my favorite tools for teaching online. ==> HERE <==.

Classroom Teaching.

Once the schools reopen there will be an urgent need for qualified and vaccinated teachers. There are job advertisements being placed on various Facebook groups already. Below are the general types of employment you can expect.

Vietnam English Teaching Schools and also HCMC ESL Teaching jobs are 2 such groups you can find jobs.

Language Schools:

Language schools abound in Vietnam’s cities and towns. Finding a job in large cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Min City is surprisingly simple. A TESOL or TEFL certificate, as well as a bachelor’s degree, are required for the best (and highest paying) professions. However, finding English teaching positions as a native speaker is still rather easy.

Teachers pick language schools for a variety of reasons, including reliability, assistance, and professional growth. These institutions normally provide a lot of workshops, training, and managerial meetings for new teachers.

Another benefit is that they frequently offer incentives like contract completion allowances, relocation packages, and overtime as well as covering the costs of visas and work permits.

If you don’t like waking up early in the mornings, this may be a good option for you.

The cons of Language Schools.

Working in a language school has a couple of disadvantages. One is that you need to sign a contract that commits you to that particular company. There can also be a set amount of hours outlined in the contract, but this can also be flexible.

This usually translates to a weekend and a set weekday routine, which may limit your vacation options. Your normal working hours will be in the evenings Monday to Friday and all day Saturday and Sundays.

Be very careful when signing contracts as there are sometimes penalty clauses for arriving late to work. And with the traffic in the bigger cities, you are going to be late at least some times. It can be very annoying to be docked one hour of pay if you are 5 minutes late.  Read your contract.

Another problem can be these institutions will frequently allow pupils to go to the following level. Even when the student is not ready to advance to the next grade level. This can be aggravating for English teachers as well as pupils’ peers.

Public Schools

Teaching in State schools is another popular route for the EFL teacher to take. The State schools normally get their EFL ( English as a Foreign Language) teachers from private companies. These companies can loosely be termed recruitment agencies at best. At worst, they are just cannon fodder for providing teachers. They advertise heavily on Facebook groups.

Working in State schools comes with its own pros’ and cons’. On the upside, you are working through the day and have the weekends off to explore your new city and surroundings.

The normal hours at State schools are from 7 am to 4 pm. However, you will be allocated classes that run up to one and a half hours in length. If you have no classes you do not need to stay at the school.

Be prepared for a long lunch if you work in a state school, as often the students will have a break between 11 am and 1 pm.

The cons’ of State schools.

The biggest complaint you will hear from teachers is the size of the class. Expect 50 students in your class and anything less is a bonus. So imagine teaching 50 noisy students in a large classroom. There are some tools that make teaching easier that I have written about before. You can look => HERE <== to find out more.

International Schools.

A few years of teaching experience is frequently required for a position in an international school. However, it can provide ongoing career development chances as well as significant benefits such as flight reimbursement and housing allowance.

You’ll primarily be teaching English to Vietnamese youngsters who are either ex-pats or rich. These schools are typically placed in well-off residential suburbs.

Obtaining a list of schools from online groups or ex-pat directories can help you find these schools. Keep in mind that, unlike language schools, these positions are normally only accessible throughout the summer months of June through August.

Private Tuition.

Teaching private English courses in Vietnam, particularly in the larger cities, is quite simple. The biggest benefit is that teachers have far more flexibility and earn far more per hour than those who work in language schools.

Finding pupils is as simple as advertising yourself in local papers or online on a regular basis. Because most parents still do not understand English, it is preferable if you have some Vietnamese language abilities.

Or employ an assistant to help you in your marketing attempts. Teachers can also rely on word-of-mouth and publish notices in neighborhood hangouts to get good results.

Teaching private English sessions can be unpredictable, and it can be difficult to make a living doing it full-time when you first arrive. Some teachers use private tuition to supplement their classes or online teaching activities.

But once you have been here for a while you will attract students who will look for private tuition. It is not uncommon for some reputable teachers to work full time in their own business and make substantially more than teaching in the schools.

Open Your own Language Center.

A natural progression is to move from private tuition to opening your own language center. Create your own language school.

Setting up your own language center is an excellent idea if you want to pursue business in addition to teaching. You’ll be the boss as well as a teacher, allowing you to still pursue your passion for teaching.

Your company location can be your own house or a rented space. Having a TEFL or TESOL degree and teaching experience will assist you greatly in attracting students.

You would need to set up all the necessary legal requirements for running a school in Vietnam. There are a lot of English-speaking lawyers who can help in this matter.

Become a curriculum designer

Many English centers have openings for this position. This is more of a management position. Planning and creating the curriculum and particular courses, coordinating the teaching schedule, and conducting teacher development seminars are all common roles.

Become an EFL Textbook Writer

You can utilize your knowledge and experience to design and sell textbooks and supplemental materials. Many book publishers want to work with experienced teachers since they can benefit from your expertise and experience.

Qualifications Needed.

Officially, a native English speaker with a bachelor’s degree is required to obtain a work visa in Vietnam. In addition, a criminal background check is required. A TEFL or TESOL certificate and work experience is becoming increasingly required.

Work visas can be arranged in-country and it’s still allowed to arrive in Vietnam on a three-month tourist visa and look for work. When you find a job your new employer will normally assist you with the relevant documentation. A health check will also be needed.

Your new employer may or may not pay for your visa, therefore it’s a good idea to set aside some money ($50-$100) for this expense.

The cost of a visa varies depending on the kind and length of your stay. Make sure you include official documentation, such as your university diploma or teaching certificate. And it is preferable to have it notarized at your local consulate or before you arrive.

There are or were some schools that flouted the law ( Regarding paperwork ) and have got away with it for a long time. It is still possible to find employment without qualifications but is becoming increasingly harder to do so.

N.B. With the rise of Covid, it has also become necessary to be fully vaccinated if you wish to return to classroom teaching.

Find out about “resolution 105′ ==> HERE <== and how it affects teachers.

Conclusion.

Choose the type of teaching experience you want. Most full-time employment will require you to work 15-25 hours a week in the classroom, plus prep time. Other language schools will hire part-time teachers, expecting you to tutor or work at a variety of locations.

Your lessons will typically last 45 to 90 minutes, and you will frequently teach five classes per day, five to six days per week.

When lesson planning, office hours, and other activities are factored in, teachers should expect to work 30-40 hours per week in full-time jobs.

The schools are planning to start reopening from December, so hopefully, everything will be getting back to some form of normality soon.

Who Am I?

My name is Stephen and I have been living and teaching in Vietnam for 15 years. I have my own school as well as providing fully qualified teachers to schools in Vietnam.

You can look at my house in Vietnam below.

My House on YouTube

 

Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Why I love Vietnam | My funny stories

 

Vietnam is funny and frustrating at the same time.

But I love Vietnam for the challenges it gives and the lessons you learn. In my 15 years here I have had a lot of funny things happen. There are a lot of sad things too, but the highs and lows of living in a different culture will give you memories for life.

Sometimes these stories are mixed with tinges of sadness and pain but on reflection, they can be as funny as anything you have ever laughed about in hindsight. Challenges and tribulations go hand in hand in Vietnam.

Vietnamese are like bamboo, strong and resilient, and can bend to politics, invasions, and wars as the bamboo bends in the wind. A truly remarkable and amazing people and culture.

And then I came along.

Teaching in Vietnam can be a lot of fun and very rewarding if you put in the time to actually help the students. But sometimes it is what happens outside the classroom that makes the teacher experience here so much fun. Here are a few stories I have never shared before.

Story No. 1

I thought I knew my way around after living in Vietnam for close to 4 years. I had traveled pretty extensively and had a smattering of the “lingo” I was street smart and I knew my stuff. No one was going to make a fool of me, except me.

I had been working hard. When I first came there was this big male macho thing about how many hours you could punch out in a month. I could do between 150 to 200 a month. I knew 1 person who was doing 240 hours. Not possible you say.

Different times. Going from class to class starting in public schools at 7 am and finishing up in private schools at 11 pm. Saturday and Sunday classes back-to-back from 7.30 am to 11 pm again. Then do it all again after partying all night on the weekends.

Anyway now you know why I was tired. I was about 2 years into this cycle of teaching long hours and had just finished an early shift in Go Vap in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The students were great and I was on a high. But so tired I couldn’t ride a motorbike.

So I called my future wife to be and asked her to pick me up. I didn’t want to fall asleep driving a 2 wheel murdering machine. She was working and could not pick me up. But said she would call me a “Xe-Om”, a motorbike taxi. Cool I thought, I am back in the afternoon, will pick up my bike then after a couple of hours of sleep.

Stepping outside into the glare of the 11.30 am sunshine and surrounded by talkative students, I eyeballed my “Xe-Om” driver and waved. He waved back. Wow, he’s wearing a suit, the first time I have ever seen a “Xe-Om” wearing a suit. Very posh I thought. Must be a new service I thought smiling as I jumped on the back of his bike.

“Di Di” I said. Go, go in English. He turned around and looked at me bemusedly as one of my students came up to me and asked.” Teacher, why are you on the back of my Dads motorbike.” Cringe.

I looked around and saw MY “Xe-Om” doubled up in fits of laughter waving me over to his motorcycle. He wasn’t wearing a suit. What was I thinking?

Story No.2.

This story happened about 8 years ago. This is a hindsight story. Built out of adversity and a fair amount of personal pain. I was unfortunate enough to have cancer of the bowel and had to have a colostomy bag for about 4 months while everything got working again.

Luckily it was benign and the operation was a huge success. I will tell my funny hospital story after this. So after sitting around the home for about 3 months feeling sorry for myself, I decided to go back to work. Colostomy bag, no problems.

Perhaps I should have limited my teaching activities to private schools. But no, jump in the deep end. Back to the public schools, 50 plus students to a classroom. Morning breaks and lunchtimes kids buzzing around and seeking out the foreign teachers to tease and have fun with them.

One of the younger students, bless her heart, came up and gave me a big hug. Hope you are feeling better teacher. All students had been warned, please do not hug or bump Mr. Stephen or it might be ugly. All in Vietnamese of course, it sounded more like pooh Volcano.

And that is pretty much what happened, but not immediately. I knew something had gone wrong straight away. I could smell it, I sniffed out the problem and went directly to the men’s toilets. Phew, no one there.

Very very slowly I tried to detach the colostomy bag. My god, a supernova brown volcano. It went everywhere, the walls, the roof, my shirt. What could I do? Phone the wife. Yes, we were married now. Quick, I need a new shirt. ( I always carried a spare colostomy bag in those days).

Dutifully she said I will be there in 10 minutes. Great I thought, just in time for class. Well, mistake number 2 was about to happen. I will wait outside the toilets. So I walked outside just as the female cleaner walked in to clean up after the “foreigner’

I have never seen anyone before or after look at me in that way as she walked back out. It was 50% shock, 50% awe, and 100% scared of all foreigners for the rest of her life.

Blame me why Asians buy so much toilet paper. It is just in case I walk into their house.

Story No. 3.

This is short and not sweet at all. This is about when I was in the hospital and had just got out of surgery. As I said before I had bowel cancer. My stomach had swollen up like a balloon and there were no elevators going downstairs to take the rubbish out.

Once I got to the hospital they very quickly put me under and had me under the knife. It seems I died on the operating table but was too stubborn to give up. The doctors had my insides on the outside and did a marvelous job putting everything back in place.

Obviously, I knew nothing about this until I woke up. and wasn’t that fun. They gave me morphine to kill the pain because it was so bad. So after all that, feeling light-headed and just awake after surgery the Doctor came in.

I didn’t smell great and the Doctor noticed too. He asked the nurses when the last time my bandages had been changed. They shuffled their feet and looked like wayward schoolchildren. So the Doctor, poor guy, ripped off my bandage to change it and got covered in the contents of my bowel.

The very first supernova brown volcano. I hurt, I laughed, I hurt, I laughed.

Who am I?

I am a survivor and my name is Stephen and I love my life. I love walking, swimming and barbecues, and dogs. Life is amazing, live it to the full.

If you like this, please check out some of my other posts at vietnamesl.

I live in Vietnam still and you can check out my house below on YouTube.

I hope you enjoyed my stories about my life in Vietnam. Do you have any stories you want to share?



Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

What is Technology in the Online Classroom?

Technology can help in the classroom.

Technology in the Classroom.

When the Covid-19 pandemic spread throughout the globe in early 2020, it wreaked havoc on practically every aspect of daily life, including education.

Teachers made do with the resources and methods they were given as they made the fast transition to online instruction. Many teachers established the framework for long-term success while they prepared their online courses.

Technology is a powerful tool when used in conjunction with excellent teaching methods and can completely revolutionize classrooms.

Giving kids the tools to direct their own learning by setting objectives, keeping track of their progress, and finding areas for improvement is an excellent method to help them become lifelong learners.

How can we use Tech in the classroom?

The new order is digital competency. With so many new resources in the ever-growing technology area, it is critical for teachers to be able to educate themselves on this information and apply it to assist students in achieving their objectives.

It’s crucial to recognize that most instructors haven’t had much experience with learning technologies as part of their professional development.

Training

A sensible and hands-on training program is required to make this shift in such a short period of time and to acquire the proper combination of abilities afterwards

The capacity to move between virtual and physical instruction is a critical milestone in a teacher’s journey to properly embrace technology. Traditional learning cannot be replaced by digital learning; the future will be a mix of the two.

Let the Students be teachers

Teachers are likely to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of learning a variety of apps, devices, and programs in addition to their regular lesson plans. Give a student a new tool and ask them to learn how to use it before showing you.

Ongoing and updating your skills are ever ongoing. Udemy is a great source of learning about technology in the classroom.

Don’t ban the phone

Many schools ban students from using cell phones or watching YouTube in the classroom. However, one of the most common ways for students to contact is through the telephone. And YouTube is one of the most widely used social media platforms.

So make use of social networking platforms, think outside the box, and allow your pupils to learn while having fun.

When we deny our pupils access to materials, we lose a lot of learning opportunities.

Children are technologically sophisticated, and if you use these tools, they will be able to relate to and focus on the lesson.

Teachers should champion technology.

Not only is it the future of learning and business it can be an opportunity to become an advocate of online etiquette. If the teacher does it correctly children can learn how to behave appropriately on the Internet.

You can teach online etiquette to your students. To make it more human, state that you should never tweet something you wouldn’t say to someone’s face or in front of their grandparents.

And never go to an inappropriate website and tell an adult if you’ve been cyberstalked or bullied.

What free tools are available?

Google Classroom.

Google Classroom is a free online service used by about 30 million teachers and students worldwide. It is designed to help teachers make, distribute, and mark homework and class work more efficiently.

increasing cooperation and providing immediate feedback, and nurturing communication are great features of this tool. One of the best tools in this portfolio is Google Meet.
I am currently teaching online for 4 hours a day and find this to be an intuitive and adaptable tool to use. For me it is a life saver.

Canva

Do you want to create exciting and easy to make visuals for the classroom. Canva will then be the answer for you. It is easy to use and you get professional results every time.
Canva is a simple design tool that allows you to create any design online and share it with the world. And “Learn” is your one-stop shop for the latest design for educational inspiration. Canva will provide you with tools and ideas for the classroom.

Insert Learning

This application allows teachers to simply add instructional information, questions, videos, and interactive conversations to any web page on the internet in order to engage students and increase their grasp of the issues in question.

It was created by two high school teachers who sought to provide their pupils with a more engaging learning experience by transforming the internet into “an interactive learning experience.”

Quizizz

Quizizz allows teachers to simply make engaging quizzes or select from millions of quizzes created by teachers all around the world.

Quizizz’s multiplayer quizzes are enhanced by games such as avatars, leader boards, amusing memes, and other features aimed at increasing student involvement.

Twinkl
Twinkl creates educational tools for children at all stages of their schooling. They include everything from comprehensive lesson plans, class resources to online educational games, augmented reality, and much more with their teacher-generated content.

If you want to download instructional resources from the Twinkl website first create a free account. Have a good look around and you can upgrade if you wish or stay as a free paying customer.

If you upgrade to a premium subscription you get full access to all of Twinkl’s teaching materials.

Kahoot!

Kahoot! is a question-and-answer-based game-based learning tool. Teachers can use this tool to create quizzes, discussions, and surveys to supplement their classroom instruction.

The material is shown in the classroom, and students respond to questions while playing and learning at the same time.

Students learn through games with Kahoot!, which increases student engagement and creates a dynamic, friendly, and engaging learning environment.

Look and Learn.

There are many online tools out there that can help in the class room and these are but a few of our favorites. If you want to increase your knowledge, go online and hunt around. you will find tools that will make your students happier and your life easier.

As technology continues to shape the future of education, today’s teachers must be aware of not only the specific tools and technologies being developed to improve student learning. But also the reasons why they should be used. As well as understanding the importance of balancing technology with traditional teaching skills.

Even the most experienced and gifted instructors will have a steep learning curve in developing the ability to use high-tech innovations to generate real value for real pupils.

Conclusion.

We’d love to hear about your opinions and experiences with this. What are some of the most intriguing educational technologies or breakthroughs that you’ve utilized in the classroom, or that you’d like to try?

Stephen Hey

CEO

Vietnam ESL

Any or all links on this site maybe affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

What Teachers day is like in Vietnam with Covid.

This year Vietnam Teachers day is very sad.



Yesterday was just Teachers day.

Like the song, “yesterday seems so far away” this years Teachers day was a bit sad. This years Teachers day coincided with Childrens day. A time normally spent celebrating both Teachers in Vietnam and Children around the world.

Childrens Day.

Saturday, November 20, 2021, is World Children’s Day. Children’s Day is a worldwide celebration usually filled with love and laughter. On their designated dates, all UN member countries commemorate Children’s Day.

Children’s Day is usually a lighthearted occasion with a serious message. International Children’s Day provides an opportunity to promote and celebrate children’s rights, which will help them to live in a better world.

It seems to be appropriate that it falls on the same day as Teachers’ day in Vietnam.

Vietnam Teachers day.

The same day as Teachers day in Vietnam. This is when students express their gratitude and admiration for their teachers. During the Vietnamese Teachers’ Day holiday schools have concerts, recitals, and exhibitions, which are commonplace.

Students prepare food and flowers for the events. On a regular basis, classes are canceled for the day. Students, on the other hand, frequently attend school in the morning and some even spend the entire day participating in these activities.

Find out more about a normal “Teachers day” ==> HERE <==

This occasion is marked by a wide range of events.

Students have typically been practicing and planning for several weeks prior to the performance. Traditional costumes and dances will be displayed alongside the pupils’ renditions of K-pop or V-pop.

Everything is normally a lot of fun and highly entertaining. Unfortunately this year it was a bit sad.

A Sad Year

Most Vietnamese schools celebrated Vietnamese Teachers’ Day with flowers, balloons, gifts, and greetings, however, there were no pupils because of Covid-19. Without the participation of some Teachers and all the students, this year’s celebrations have become less exciting than normal.

You can read more in the ==> HANOI TIMES <==

The Hurdles of Teaching with Covid

Covid-19 has posed unprecedented hurdles to the education sector, posing significant obstacles for both instructors and students.

In Vietnam’s largest cities, the majority of schools teach online. Online lessons, on the other hand, mean a lot more effort on the part of both teachers and students.

For some parents, this means their children will be unable to participate in online lessons. Because of the high cost of computers and the lack of government subsidies, many people are forced to forego studies.

Time will tell if this generation will be known as the under-educated Covid generation.

Teachers day for foreigners in Vietnam.

Foreign instructors who have lost their jobs because of school closures face additional humiliation and loneliness because of the stigma of foreigners supposedly having Covid.

Many foreign teachers are having a terrible time right now. The majority of the workers were hourly workers who are now out of work.

For many foreign teachers, it has been nearly six months since their last paycheck, and some are even begging on the streets. What can you do if you don’t have food and no income? It is not an option to be proud.

Some are lucky and have secured jobs teaching online. Some are not so lucky and are battling with paying rent and putting food on the table.

Teaching Online.

Although many language teachers have attempted to teach online, some parents are unwilling to pay the entire amount for online sessions.

For newer teachers, online lessons can be as low as a third to half of the standard rate. And for some, finding those students can be difficult. Especially if you have no knowledge of the Vietnamese language.

The parents want their children to learn but may themselves either have a basic grasp of the language, or no English skills at all.

However, if you have a large following, parents will be willing to pay extra. And if you’re known for being a terrific teacher, you won’t have to discount anything.

“Something is better than nothing,” some are saying. “Business as usual” for others.

A Glimmer of Hope. Maybe!

Schools are starting to advertise more for online teachers. However, a lot of the English centers have closed, and finding a well-paying job is more difficult.

The airlines are just starting to re-open along with some businesses. Covid rates have increased as one would expect. Lockdowns and continued pressure on the local populace though have forced the government into slowly opening things again.

An example of the confusion at the moment is the karaoke bars were allowed to re-open. So the owners went out and re-employed staff and got everything up and working again. Only to be told 2 days later they were closing them down again.

But This is About the Students.

So who are the ones who suffer the most? Yes, the children are hurting the most, both educationally and in some cases emotionally.

This has been one of the most difficult times in Vietnam’s history for teachers and pupils.

The pandemic’s aftermath threatens to undermine this generation’s chances and limit their options well into adulthood.

The long-term consequences may jeopardize their chances of attending college and, eventually, finding a satisfying profession that allows them to support their family.

It’s not just about the learning.

During the pandemic, students lost more than just academic knowledge. Some have lost family members; others have lost employment and sources of money for their parents and caretakers, and almost all have experienced some type of social isolation.

Mental health issues also raise a huge concern.

There has been a rise in the number of people who are depressed. Social disengagement, self-isolation, tiredness, and unreasonable worries have all been reported by the parents of my students. Some students have developed an obsession with cleanliness, which they demonstrate by constantly washing their hands.

What’s the Upshot?

Schools will very certainly need to address the pandemic’s broader consequences for pupils who have been traumatized.

The teachers will once again step up to the front line and assist and support your children.

Why? Because we are teachers.

I leave you with this.

Here are some simple thoughts about what my students want to do after this horrible pandemic is contained. I wish them all the best in their wishes.

Thuy.

“I want to go to Australia because there are kangaroos there. I want to go back to Nha Trang after the pandemic. I want to be an agricultural engineer in the future.”

Ngoc.

“When I grow up I wanna be a person that can pay my bill and taxes and manage all my time I don’t really care what job I will do in the future but I hope it will be a job with decent pay but if I have to choose one job it would be a baker because my dad is a baker and I hope to make great pastries like him and create my own cakes someday.”

Vy.

“In 2025, I will be 18 years old, of course, I will send money back to my parents and then because then I am old enough to work part-time course the rent we will also split in half and if after I turn 18 I still live with my parents for example when I am 30 then sure the whole rent and including electricity bill will be paid by me and when I’m 30 years old and still living with my parents, that means I don’t have a husband or you love something, my parents will kick me out of the house.”

Simple dreams and simple ambitions like everyone around the world. I hope next “Teachers day” will be a lot happier for everyone than this one has been.

Click ==> HERE <== if you want to find out what Vietnamese students are like.

Who am I?

My name is Stephen and I have been teaching in Vietnam for 15 years and own 2 schools. I love traveling and meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. You can check out my house in Vietnam below on YouTube.



Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

 

What are Vietnamese Students really like?

This is a post about how Vietnamese students view themselves and the overall problems facing students and teachers alike.



How do Vietnamese students see themselves?

When I ask my students what they think about the schools and teachers in Vietnam the main response is “Boring”. And the result is the students see themselves as lacking and describe themselves as lazy. But let us look behind the scenes a bit more.

The number of students in the school and classroom is huge. It is not uncommon for a class to have 50 students and if you get a class with only 30 students you should consider yourself lucky. This is not conducive to good teaching. There is not much individual teaching done in the classroom.

Very basic classroom tools.

Teachers tend to stand in front of the blackboard and write down the lesson of the day and then get the students to copy. While the students are copying the lesson into their notebooks the teacher will often just sit behind his or her desk and play with their phone.

There is also a distinct lack of technology in the classroom. Whatever technology is in the classroom is often paid for by the parents. Televisions, microphones, and DVD players are more common. But don’t expect a classroom full of computers.

And there are reasons for all of the above too. It is not an easy fix. Let us start with the problems the teachers face.

Teachers Problems

The native teachers of Vietnam have to deal with a lot of problems. And some of these only come to light after you have been teaching here for a while.

After teaching here for about 5 years, I got to talk to one of the teachers. She was worried because she was having another baby. Baby number 3. It seems the Ministry of Education frowns on more than 2 babies per family, so she was worried this would adversely affect her career. That blew me away as I thought this sort of thing only happened in China.

Another problem we can all relate to is that they are grossly underpaid. Their monthly income barely pays for rent and the cost of living. Only a few years ago they were getting the equivalent of $300 to $500 per month. Living in a big city makes it very difficult to make ends meet.

Extra activities

As a result of this, a lot of teachers take on extra teaching activities at home. Sometimes informing the parents that if their children don’t attend the extra classes they will get bad grades. This would seriously affect the students’ post-school ambitions.

Scheduling and timetables are a huge drain on the teachers of Vietnam. With classes starting at 7.00 to 7.30 am and going through to 4 or 5 pm, this is a seriously long day. As well as the long day the teachers are pushed into taking as many classes as possible while still having their own “home class” to look after.

As mentioned before class sizes are huge, with classes of 50 plus students not uncommon. In fact, they are more the norm rather than the exception. Pity the poor introvert teacher who has 55 talkative outgoing students in their class.

Lesson planning helps overcome this and you can find out more ==> HERE <==

Vietnamese English teachers.

When I first started teaching in the public schools I thought all the Vietnamese English teachers would come up to me and want to talk. No, it didn’t happen, and I started to think it must be me. But it wasn’t, they were scared that if they talked to me they would be found out that their English language skills were lacking.

Some of the faults of the Vietnamese English teachers are probably easy to understand. They focus more on Grammar than pronunciation. The outcome being the students know the grammatical aspects of the English language better than most native English speakers. However, they either can’t speak or are very limited in their speaking skills.

Native English speakers

And it is for this reason that native English speakers from the USA, England, Australia, and many other countries are employed to teach in the schools. Often this is also funded by the students’ parents.

Don’t get me wrong. There are some seriously good Vietnamese English teachers out there. But they are in the minority and are more progressive in their teaching approach. And even though I haven’t been told, I would think the “establishment” would consider their teaching methods too liberal.

Teaching English is both profitable and fun if you are a good teacher. But first, you have to learn before you earn. Udemy is a great resource for studying anywhere in the world. To check out their classes click the link below.

Now is a great time to get your English teaching license as the borders in Vietnam are just starting to open. You can find out more about International flights ==> HERE <==

The Vietnamese students | What are they like.

When it comes to learning English, Vietnamese students face many problems. It’s difficult in schools where class sizes are huge and English teachers are scarce in both quantity and quality.

One of the key issues is proper pronunciation. Students find it difficult to converse in English as a result of current teaching methods. English education should focus on helping students to speak and communicate effectively in the real world, not just on grammar.

Time-traveling.

When I started my journey as an EFL ( English as a foreign language) teacher, I envisioned spending 1 or 2 years in a lot of countries around the world. Time for “time-traveling”

I came to Vietnam first on holiday about 16 years ago after my first marriage fell apart, and I was desperately looking for something. But didn’t know what I was looking for.

I traveled from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city and met some amazing people, both locals and fellow tourists. I stopped off at a lot of places and had a great time.

After returning to my home country I knew I had been bitten by the travel bug. So I sorted my affairs, lol. And did a course on Teaching English and hightailed it back to Vietnam.

Fast forward to today.

I am still in Vietnam and one of the biggest reasons is the students. I find them fun and inquisitive, they are eager to learn and if you approach your class in the right way they will show you respect. it is not uncommon for students to bow to you outside the classroom. however, with the older students, I try to get them to just say “Hi” and introduce their parents.

Even though they describe themselves as lazy, they are some of the hardest working and enjoyable students I have ever had the pleasure to teach.

Students the world over.

Like students everywhere, they will test you and push your buttons. but once you have established the ground rules and talk to them at the same level and not down to them, you gain their respect and attention. 

I now have my own school in Vietnam. Lately because of Covid we have been teaching online. Yes, I still teach as I love it, it keeps me young. Teaching online produces its’ own problems. You can find out more ==> HERE <==

Once again the students have buckled down and worked exceptionally well. The online classes I do focus on pronunciation, talking, and vocabulary. Homework, yes I give homework, is written work. Below is one example of an assignment about work experience from one of my students. Jenny. An English nickname is chosen by her.

Jennys’ blog on work experience.

Written by one of my students.

“The work experience I had as a vet was one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences of my life. The first day was exciting but overwhelming. I had never seen so many animals at once and there were many different types of them.

I learned how to identify and diagnose the animal’s symptoms and what might be wrong with them. I had to make some tough decisions on whether we should euthanize the animal or not, especially when they were in pain and we couldn’t help them anymore. It made me feel really emotional because you could tell that they trusted me to help them have a better life.”

JENNY

I have not changed anything in this and am very proud to share it, with her blessing. She just asked, if you like it please share and leave a comment. She would be chuffed for a foreigner to reach out and say she is doing well. Jenny is only 14 years old, so pretty impressive.

Conclusion

Normally at the end of every post, I talk about myself, but as this post covers this, it could be better to show you my house in Vietnam. If you click on the YouTube button below it will take you to my YT account and you can check out my house with me.

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