Tag: Vietnam

What is LMS for ESL?

An article outlining some of the learning management systems available for ESL teachers and administrators.

What is LMS?

Simply put, an LMS is a system for keeping track of students, tasks, and educational resources. It has many more features, and they are all ultimately designed to save teachers and administrators time by centralizing students and course materials.

It helps manage educational courses, training programs, and learning and development programs. Simply automate tasks like tracking and reporting on student progress, and can also be used to deliver course materials to students.

What Are The Key Points of an LMS?

An LMS is a complex online learning environment created by several components working together, hidden beneath a user-friendly interface. The list of features in a contemporary LMS might be extensive, as with most contemporary software solutions. There are, nevertheless, a few key elements that are essential to any LMS.

These fundamental elements include the server database, which holds all of the LMS’s essential features, and the user interface, which allows teachers and students to interact with the servers. They are, in a nutshell, the front end and the back end of an LMS.

But keep in mind that these are only some of an LMS’s most fundamental features. Any modern LMS incorporates many, many more features than these, such as e-commerce capabilities and student performance analysis powered by machine learning.

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application that provides a framework for all aspects of the learning process. It is designed specifically to create, distribute, and manage the delivery of educational content.

The main purpose of an LMS is to provide an online learning experience while the availability of some capabilities change. Access is granted to verified users to accomplish this, and thus, supposedly aids in the global distribution of knowledge for educators.

A Checkered Past.

However, it is possible to argue that an LMS is simply a means of organizing students, tasks, and educational resources.

Nevertheless, as was already mentioned, an LMS is much more than that. However, all administrators and teachers crave more. By gathering all of the students and class materials in one location, we want to save time and make things simpler.

They (LMS) do, however, have a murky image among educators. They can be tough to master, awkward to use, and challenging to traverse.

Available LMS Options for ESL Teachers.

There are many learning management systems available for ESL teachers (And administrators) and here are five that I consider are worth your attention.

  1. Off2Class: This LMS is designed specifically for ESL teachers and offers a wide range of features such as lesson plans, quizzes, and student progress tracking. Off2Class has nearly 800 ready-to-teach modules which may be combined to create unique courses. These are based on actual errors that students make on a “Placement Test.”

    Without leaving the site, you can manage your students (and teachers if you run a school), mark your lessons as you go along, give out and grade assignments, and link with video services like Zoom or Google Meet.

    Off2Class was specifically created to be an LMS for ESL teachers. And it has nothing else that may block or limit your needs. The reviews for Off2Class are all overwhelmingly positive and frequently use the phrase “I am extremely impressed.” However, more lessons on pronunciation may benefit the overall experience.
  2. Moodle: This open-source LMS is free to use and offers a wide range of features such as course creation, student tracking, and reporting. However, it is significantly more powerful than most ESL teachers require, making it more complicated as a result. People have created incredible things using Moodle across many industries since it is free and open-source. Moodle can be used to create an entire online learning platform from scratch, but for most teachers, it’s complete overkill.
  3. Google Classroom: This free LMS is designed specifically for educators and offers a variety of features such as course creation, student tracking, and reporting. For many ESL teachers, Google’s products acted as their de facto LMS. During the Covid lockdown, I used Google Meet for online teaching. I also used Google Docs for my lesson notes. While others have taken advantage of Google Sheets and even held class sessions via Google Hangouts. Now, with Google Classroom you can post announcements, respond to student posts, and even create and grade assignments, Google Classroom is an effective way to combine these services under one roof. It’s a simple, cost-free solution to give structure to your lessons.
  4. Edmodo: This free LMS is designed specifically for K-12 educators and offers a variety of features such as course creation, student tracking, and reporting. Students and teachers can connect and exchange resources safely with Edmodo. Edmodo offers packages that allow school leaders to benefit from strong analytics, provide professional development, and curate their educational content. These products are free for teachers and students.

    Pros: Only a small learning curve for people who regularly use social media. There is also a robust community of users and a good support network.

    Cons: The user interface is very busy for teachers, especially with ads and information on the screen, and it could use a rubric tool and better collaboration options.
  5. Powerschool: Is advertised by the company as the leading k-12 learning management system offering a comprehensive teaching and learning platform. Its ability to transfer data across Schoology Learning and PowerSchool SIS, two different educational software platforms, is one of its distinguishing qualities. “Passback” refers to the automatic transmission or synchronization of data or information entered into one system with another. Schoology Learning is a learning management system (LMS) that both teachers and students can use to keep track of course materials, homework, and communication. A student information system (SIS) called PowerSchool is what schools use to handle student data like grades, attendance, and demographics. It has mixed reviews, with some criticizing it while others love it.

Final Thoughts.

There is an old saying that goes along the line of “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” So if you are running a small school like mine, you may well decide that not having a learning management system worked well for a long time and it can continue to do so.

Adding any learning management system adds another task that needs to be done. Make sure that the effort you need to exert is really worth it. You have to ask yourself if the benefit of using an LMS is worth the extra work that needs to be done.

Do not fall prey to the “shiny object syndrome”. However, if it saves time and increases the “bottom line” of the balance sheet by all means go ahead and take the plunge.

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Games for ESL Adults

Classroom Games For ESL Students.

I have written this post as I am continually asked by other teachers what I do to spice up my adult ESL Lessons. And some teachers ask me directly what games can you play with adult students. So let’s dive in and take a look at what I do. 

It can be challenging to incorporate games into an English program for adult learners. Although some students like playing whenever they get the chance, many others don’t want to embarrass themselves in front of their peers or, in their opinion, squander class time. We, as teachers, are tempted to play things safe and stick to more formal language activities since we are sensitive to wasting time.

The issue with that is that you’re passing on a very useful teaching tool. English games are not only a great warm-up exercise, a nice refresher after a period of more intense study, and even a reward once your pupils get to know and love them, but they’re also an excellent way to review recently learned lessons.

The challenge is figuring out how to use them. ESL games for adults should be properly organized, relevant to current class work, and have a clear linguistic aim in mind. In a kids’ class, nearly any game will go over well at any point but we must make sure we select the appropriate games for our adult audience because not all games are made equally.

My Favorite Adult ESL Games.

Here is a list of some of my favorite games for the classroom. They are entertaining and interesting, and they were picked with older students’ needs and sensitivities in mind.

Vocabulary Showcase.

This game involves explaining a word to a teammate without using the word itself. Students must explain the selected word to their teammates. It helps with communication and vocabulary skills.

How To Play The Game.
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Split the class into two groups. 

To begin the game, Team A will select their first competitor and Team B will do the same.
Student A from Team A should sit facing their team and the same with team b. The sitting team members are not allowed to look at the selected word or turn around and look at the board. 
The teacher starts the clock and writes a vocabulary word on the board. it is recommended to give each word two to three minutes for either team to guess. An egg timer is perfect for this as you don’t have to keep resetting a stopwatch.

As soon as the “timer” starts both teams will try to guess the word written on the board. The first sitting team member from A or B teams who guesses the word will win a point for their team. The person selected to sit will be changed after 5 words each. This should give everyone a chance to be the person in the “hot seat”.

The team that scores the most points wins.

This can get a bit noisy. but is a lot of fun and I recommend it for young adults and teenagers.

How’s Your Thing?

This game involves guessing the name of an object based on a description provided by another student. This helps students practice asking and answering questions using adjectives. 

How To Play The Game?

Once again split the class into two groups and get each team to choose one person who will be the person trying to guess the answer. These people should be replaced every 2nd or 3rd turn giving all the team members a chance in the “hot seat”.

 This game is similar to “Vocabulary Showcase” but instead of trying to guess the word from descriptions the 2 people in the “hot seat” have to guess from questions.

Team A and Team B take turns asking each other about their “thing” without saying what it is.

For example; If the selected word is “WATCH”, a person from Team A may select someone from Team B and ask them “How is your thing?”. Team B may answer “My thing is not working properly as the spring is broken and it is not winding properly” or “My things hands fell off”  The only word they can not say is “WATCH”

Team A and B take turns in asking the questions. Work out before the game who asks the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc questions otherwise, it will slow down the game if you try to do it in an ad-hoc fashion. 

This continues until either of the people in the “hot seat” guesses the word. 

This game generally needs the students to be at least at a pre-intermediate level of English.

Graffiti Me.

I could describe this game to be similar to the board game called “Pictionary.” But the difference is this game involves someone drawing a picture based on a description from another student or the Teacher. Skills involved in this game are for listening and speaking.

How To Play The Game?

My preference is for the teacher to be the facilitator of the game. You can have a pre-drawn picture or draw as you go. For example, I do some pre-teaching before the game and explain “top left-hand corner”, “top right-hand corner” etc, and “middle of the paper” as well as “horizontal” and “verticle”

I then go on to describe my pre-drawn image. You can make the image and describe it depending on the level of the class. One that I do is; 

  • Draw a horizontal line across the middle of the page. 
  • On that horizontal line draw a house with a flat roof, 4 x windows a door, and a chimney.
  • On the left-hand side of the house is a garden with 6 flowers.
  • In the left-hand corner is a plane with 8 windows and 3 birds flying overhead.
  • Etc, etc.

You then get to check the drawings, which are normally hilarious and elicit squeals of laughter. Choose the picture that is most accurate to what you have said. (If you are doing this in teams, award the team the winning persons points)

I find this can be done as a stand-alone activity that if done correctly normally takes 30 minutes from start to finish.

Truth or Dare. 

This is an old favorite that is easy to play and can be a bit more “risque” for mature students. The rules of the game are as follows.

How To Play The Game.

Players take turns asking one another “Truth or dare?” If they choose truth, they have to answer a question of the asker’s choosing. If they choose dare, the asker dares them to do something rather than make a confession. Below are some ideas for “Truth or dare”. You can find many more “Truth or Dare” questions “HERE“

Truth.

1. What was your most recent lie?

2. Describe your most embarrassing moment to date.

3. Mention a person you claimed to like but couldn’t stand.

4. Have you ever lied to your wife or husband?

5. have you ever peed in a pool?

Dare.

1. Lick your elbow.

2. Do a 3-minute “plank”

3. Eat a raw egg.

4. Spin around 10 times and try to walk straight.

5. Bark like a dog for 1 minute.

When choosing your “Dare”, make sure you don’t do anything culturally insensitive.

Two Truths and a Lie.

Students can be split into teams and are then asked to write down 2 things that are true about themselves and 1 thing that is a lie.

The students then take turns reciting one of the statements they have written. Their opponent then has to guess whether the statement is a lie or the truth.

I use this game for the weaker students as it is easy to follow and put into practice.

Other Games.

There are many different games you can modify for the classroom from standard games such as “beer pong”, “Countdown”, “Jeopardy” and “Taboo” amongst others. All these games can be used in the Adult classroom with a bit of tweaking. The effort that you put into making your lessons more enjoyable will be rewarded by the students’ happiness in attending your lessons.

Benefits of Using ESL Games for Adults. 

Any educational program benefits from including games in the classroom. Benefits include improved student engagement and novel approaches to engaging all types of learners. 

Along with;

  • Fostering social-emotional learning, activities offer chances to practice critical thinking.
  • A change from the typical language-learning schedule.
  • Encouraging and testing students as they add variety to a session.
  • Through the creation of a believable incentive to use the target language, games also boost motivation.
  • Giving students practice in speaking, writing, listening, and reading as these activities help to establish meaningful contexts for language usage. 
  • They also promote the use of language in a natural and creative way.

Because games are viewed as a “fun activity” you can achieve a lot without the students realizing they are learning at the same time. And a great additional benefit is it helps build rapport with your students, so make an effort and take the time to use games in the adult classroom. Both you and your students will be glad you did. 

Teaching ESL is a great way to see the world. If you want to learn more read my article on “How to be an ESL teacher“

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money.  Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

How to Use Drama in the ESL Classroom.

Using Drama as a Teaching Method.

I have found drama to be a very effective classroom tool. Although it is not often used by a lot of teachers and I don’t understand why. Well, actually I do, I think. One of the thoughts maybe is that you are giving the students a chance to cause havoc in the classroom. Especially with younger students in an ESL environment. Doubly so if you can not speak the native language, class control can be more complicated. However, I have found the pros to outweigh the cons.

Your students can get more engaged in the ESL classroom by using drama because they are responsible for using their language skills in formal play. Gaining perfect intonation, developing fluency, increasing confidence, and a host of other advantages are among the advantages of using drama in the classroom. Who knows, you might discover the new Dustin Nguyen who was in 21 Jump Street, The Rebel, The Doom Generation, and Little Fish.

Dramatic Play.

All ages can benefit from drama for learning, although few educators or institutions use it to its fullest extent outside of the early years.

Dramatic play and theater allow for skill development and confidence building. The students converse both verbally and non verbally. It entails acting out both the familiar and the foreign, as well as imitating and mimicking. It can be a lot of fun for the student, and if well-prepared, fun for the teacher as well.

One example could be students participating in puppetry and small-world play while assuming people’s roles from books, movies, and real life. You could draw up a great lesson involving making masks or puppets.

First Palette has a great collection of masks you can print out for the younger performer.

Children frequently behave like grownups in dramatic play and whole-class theater because they feel empowered and in charge when they do so. They act in a way that suggests they already possess the abilities and behaviors they strive for.

It takes skill to be able to engage with others in a “play” manner. Empowering their confidence through drama will also see an improvement in their English skills.

Using Drama in the ESL Classroom.

If you’ve had students do straightforward role-plays or read a conversation from their textbooks aloud, you’ve already integrated some drama into your classes. This is a good prelude to additional drama-related activities.

Expressing the passion behind the discourse and including motions or gestures, encourage children to develop their dramatic skills when reading dialogue and participating in role-plays. Students can take it a step further by creating their own dialogue and/or memorizing their lines to perform a quick skit in front of the class.

Impromptu Theater.

Impromptu theater in the classroom is yet another method. Using this impromptu drama technique, students in the intermediate to the advanced range are given a hypothetical circumstance to spontaneously act out utilizing their English vocabulary and linguistic abilities. Provide pairs of students, for instance, a scenario involving two people. Consider anything that might be hilarious, like a person having dinner and receiving sub par service in a restaurant. Give the pupils their parts, then ask them to perform the scene. For larger classes of students, improvisation exercises are also an option.

Let’s do a Class Play.

Another fantastic approach to introduce theater to your pupils is through a class play. You could begin by reading a brief narrative or performing a play in class. Finally, allot class time to studying lines and practicing parts, assigning kids to various roles, or letting them choose their own. A class production of the play marks the culmination of the program. If you can, incorporate straightforward costumes and props. I have found that the older the student, the fewer props are needed. The younger students almost need the mask or prop to help them escape into the realm of fantasy.

Repetition and reading your lines for ESL

By repetition, students pick up the language and retain it. Although repeating the same lines repeatedly could seem tedious, your pupils will be more inclined to do it as they get more adept at remembering their lines.

Try to spice things up throughout the practices by having the pupils experiment with various acting techniques and movements. I will ask the students to perform sentences or phrases in various “moods.” For instance, I might ask them to perform a sentence while acting mad, in love, or angry. You will learn who the outgoing student in your class is, which is usually hilarious.

You can also get your “actors” to deliver their lines as fast or as slow as they can. I like to do the speed test with “tongue twisters”. You can imagine what it is like when reading out this tongue twister fast.

“Peter Piper” and the “Woodchuck” tongue twister are always favorites for this lesson and well worth making the effort to do. I also have “Challenge the Teacher” A lot of fun.

Writing for ESL Plays

If teaching a pre-intermediate, intermediate, or higher class I will ask the students to write their own dialogue. Most of the class books will have some form of dialogue in the back of the book or now with “ChatGPT” you can print out a prearranged copy as an example. But get the student to write their own play, yours should just be used as an example.

A Funny Play by Chat GPT.

[Scene: A cafe. Two friends, Alice and Bob, are sitting at a table with coffee and pastries.]

Alice: So, how’s school going for you?

Bob: Oh, you know. Same old, same old. Classes, homework, exams, stress.

Alice: Yeah, I hear you. School can be tough sometimes.

Bob: Sometimes? More like all the time. Especially with Mr. Smith as our math teacher.

Alice: Oh, don’t get me started on Mr. Smith. He’s the worst.

Bob: I know, right? He’s so boring and strict and mean.

Alice: And he gives us so much homework. It’s like he doesn’t want us to have any fun.

Bob: Or any sleep.

Alice: Or any life.

Bob: Exactly. He’s ruining our lives.

Alice: And he’s so bad at explaining things. Half the time I don’t understand what he’s talking about.

Bob: Me neither. He just writes a bunch of numbers and symbols on the board and expects us to figure it out.

Alice: And he never answers our questions. He just says “read the textbook” or “look it up online”.

Bob: Or “you should know this by now”.

Alice: Or “this is basic stuff”.

Bob: Or “this is not rocket science”.

Alice: Or “this is elementary, my dear Watson”.

Bob: Wait, what?

Alice: Yeah, he said that to me once when I asked him to explain a problem.

Bob: He did? That’s hilarious.

Alice: No, it’s not. It’s annoying.

Bob: Come on, it’s kind of funny. He thinks he’s Sherlock Holmes or something.

Alice: Well, he’s not. He’s more like Professor Moriarty.

Bob: Ooh, good one.

Alice: Thanks.

Bob: You’re welcome.

[They laugh.]

Alice: But seriously, though. We need to do something about him.

Bob: Like what?

Alice: I don’t know. Maybe we can prank him somehow.

Bob: Prank him? How?

Alice: I don’t know. Maybe we can switch his chalk with cheese or something.

Bob: Cheese?

Alice: Yeah, cheese. You know, like in cartoons.

Bob: That’s silly.

Alice: Well, do you have a better idea?

Bob: Hmm… maybe we can hack his computer and change his grades.

Alice: Change his grades? To what?

Bob: To F’s.

Alice: F’s?

Bob: Yeah, F’s. For fail.

Alice: But that would be mean.

Bob: So? He’s mean to us.

Alice: True. But still…

Bob: Fine. How about we change his grades to A+’s?

Alice: A+’s?

Bob: Yeah, A+’s. For awesome.

Alice: But that would be nice.

Bob: So? He deserves some recognition for his hard work.

Alice: Really?

Bob: No, not really. I’m just kidding.

[They laugh.]

Alice: You’re funny.

Bob: Thanks. You’re funny too.

Alice: Thanks.

[They smile at each other.]

[End of scene.]

The Role of the Teacher.

My preference is to remain as a facilitator and direct the class into which areas to move. For example, starting an impromptu play or a class play. Or practicing your lines or writing a play. Some classes prefer the teacher to perform the role of the facilitator while others like the teacher to take a more hands-on approach, with the teacher performing in the play as well.

Some students, especially younger students love seeing their teacher in a role outside of the normal teacher role. It will intrigue the students to see their “foreign teacher” taking on a different role and can make the lesson a very memorable one.

More Drama Activities for the ESL Classroom.

Once again we are only limited by our imaginations. Here are some more excellent ideas for the ESL classroom, especially for warm-up and cool-down exercises.

Final Thoughts.

Using drama as a teaching tool incorporates other positives as well. Students have high energy levels and can get restless just sitting and reading or writing, they will be more enthusiastic if they get a chance to move around. This means they are demonstrating T.P.R ( Total Physical Response) whether they know it or not.

You will also have an insight into the student’s personalities when you see how they relate to others in this more relaxed environment. Do the students assume the roles of leaders or are they more apt at stepping back into the shadows? This will help you design other lessons and approaches to learning for your students who may have different needs.

And if you are doing this lesson at the start of your teaching tenure, it is a great way to break the ice with your new students. It will positively set the tone for future lessons and will give you instant recognition as being a good caring teacher.

Done in the correct way and using a lot of what we have talked about will put you in a good place with your students for future classes.

Stephen.

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here

The Cheapest Country to Live.

Vietnam / Cheapest Country to Live (and Work).

Vietnam is a backpacker’s paradise. For foreigners, it’s one of the best and most affordable places to reside. There is a lot to see and do in Vietnam, despite the fact that it is still somewhat of an undiscovered gem when it comes to affordable places to live and explore. Vietnam is a place for travelers seeking adventure and beautiful landscapes to explore and delectable native cuisine.

Ho Chi Minh City in the south, Hanoi, the nation’s capital, in the north, and Da Nang in the country’s center are the major cities. These cities have the majority of jobs and teaching English is arguably the most common job for native English speakers.

The Cost of Living.

After 15 years of living in Vietnam, I have almost forgotten the reason I first came here, but I certainly know the reasons why I stay. And the cost of living is something that is very near the top of the list.

Like anywhere in the world, depending on where you live in the country and your lifestyle will have substantial effects on the prices you pay for living. But first, let me step back 15 years and tell you how much money I brought with me and where it went in setting myself up in Vietnam.

Vietnam 2008.

My first trip to Vietnam was in 2006 and it was a holiday that started in Hanoi in the north and ended in Ho Chi Minh City in the south after meandering down the coastline and taking in sites like Halong bay, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Da Nang.

Those were the days when I could “4-star” it and not worry and not interact with the locals. In short, like a lot of westerners with too much money and not enough “chutzpah” do. However, I did learn one thing…I loved Vietnam and its people and wanted to move back, So after 3 years of preparation, I moved back to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

If you look at my other posts about Vietnam you will find many that cover my initial foray into Vietnam as well as posts relating to retirement in Vietnam. you will find these links below.

Living in Vietnam, is about just that—my experiences, or at least some of them, relating to life in Vietnam.

And many other posts relating to my interpretations of Vietnam and its people. An overview of Vietnam and a guide to visiting Vietnam are also great articles that will help you to get a feel of what the country is like, and will also drill down deeper into the character of the Vietnam soul. And before I lay out the cost of living for Ho Chi Minh City, I have an introductory post to Vietnam called “A Guide to Visiting Vietnam“

Vietnam 2023 Cost of Living.

The cost of living in Vietnam is overall fairly cheap and I can say quite honestly say that little has changed over the years. Yes, prices have gotten higher but nowhere near the price rises of the west.

The above list is brought to you by “Numbeo“, a company that puts together “cost of living” charts for countries all around the world. I have been living in Vietnam for 15 years, most of which have been in Ho Chi Minh City, and I can vouch for the accuracy of these figures. If you click on the blue “numbeo” link it will also show costs for utilities, sports, and leisure childcare, clothing, and jewelry as well as salaries and other useful information.

Teachers Salaries.

As this is primarily a site for ESL teachers, I must add wages and salaries for teachers. This is one area that ‘Numbeo” has not quite got the information correct. However, I understand this may be a summary of different jobs for “ex-pats.”

I would argue that the majority of ex-pats employed in Vietnam are English teachers or more specifically English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Salaries vary for English Teachers and it depends on experience and the quality of the school as to how much you will receive.

When I first arrived and started working as a teacher in Vietnam my salary or wage was only $14.00 per hour salaries, as I said, fluctuates depending on your qualifications, experience, and the country you come from. If you are a native-born speaker from the USA, England, Australia, New Zealand, etc, you will command a higher dollar rate per hour.

Yes, the wages are normally broken down into hourly rates and even though it is common to see prices in US dollars the rates should be shown in the local currency or ‘Dong”. The average salary for ex-pat teachers is around 500,000 dong per hour. (about $21.00 US per hour). Some are higher and some are lower. I have seen some schools offering only $14.00 per hour for ex-pats and some at the other end of the scale offering up to $50.00 per hour.

There are various different types of schools and ways to teach English and if you wish to delve deeper you may look at my previous post about “How to Teach English in Vietnam“

Dollar to Dong Conversion Rate.

The local Vietnamese currency is called the “dong” and you will quickly become accustomed to seeing all those extra zeros on your notes. And at least once per month when you paid you will become an instant “dong” millionaire.

When you first arrive it is a good idea to add a conversion rate calculator to your “smartphone”. You do not want to be taken advantage of due to the “strangeness” of the denominations. The one I still use is XE currency converter at www.xe.com.

Worlds Cheapest Countries to Live Video.

Can I Retire in Vietnam.

There is no reason to not consider retiring in Vietnam, but there are a few issues that may make you stop and think.

The Cons.

There are significant distinctions between Vietnamese and Western cultures. You might have a cultural shock if you don’t initially learn. It will be simpler for you to assimilate and make more friends the more you are aware of the cultural distinctions between Western society and Vietnamese culture.

While requesting a visa in Vietnam, foreigners are subject to a number of tight limitations. For instance, only tourist visas with a period of one to three months are permitted for foreigners who intend to retire in Vietnam.

However, If you have a Vietnamese parent or spouse, you may be eligible to apply for a visa exemption for up to five years. After your existing visa expires, you must apply for a new one if you want to stay longer.

Generally, unless you have your own transferrable health insurance, you will have to pay for any health costs. Most Vietnamese have their own hospital coverage at the hospital of their own choice and while costs are substantially cheaper than in the west, medical bills can still add up.

And while it may seem almost exciting, the traffic congestion can seriously get you down after a while and then you have the pollution that goes with it.

At the beach in Da Nang

The Pros.

So if you feel like you can cope with the above, by all means, there is plenty to make retiring in Vietnam an attractive option.

Vietnam has a 2,000-kilometer coastline and there are some beautiful smaller cities like Da Nang and Nha Trang which still have an ex-pat community but is small enough to overcome some of the major cons of the big cities. namely, traffic congestion and pollution.

You will still have to deal with the “visa runs” ( having to go to Cambodia etc to extend your visa), but most of the smaller cities have buses for ex-pats that will take you over the border to do the visa paperwork and extension you need.

Final Thoughts.

Vietnam is a beautiful country and has some wonderful people. Even the frustrations of learning a new language can turn into a plus as you make new friends along the way.

It is your attitude that will make any transition to living in Vietnam fun and enjoyable. Yes, there are still problems, for example, we had a power outage yesterday for 8 hours. And this is Ho Chi Minh City. And paperwork at times can feel ‘Kafkaesque”.

But whether you decide to live in Vietnam for a short while or a long while, the “cost of living” is a major draw card for most people.

Author

Stephen

Chat GPT for Educators.

What is Chat GPT?

A recent advancement in artificial intelligence called Chat GPT enables computers to comprehend and reply to input in natural language. It was developed by San Francisco-based OpenAI, a startup with close ties to Microsoft.

This technology represents a substantial advancement in artificial intelligence and is based on the most recent developments in language processing and machine learning. Deep learning is used by Chat GPT to analyze data from different sources, then use that information to provide answers to any questions being asked. Then, as you wait for your question, it will search its database and reply in microseconds to what is being asked.

What is Deep learning?

Where can It Be Used?

Customer service, sales, marketing assistance, human resources, legal, and government, are just some of the things it can be used for. It can be used wherever natural language is required, such as in chatbots and virtual assistants.

This technology will change the way we interact with computers, and it is a major advance in artificial intelligence.

How Much is Chat GPT?

Currently, Chat GPT is free. And for something that Elon Musk says is “scary Good”, how can that be?

ChatGPT had more than 1 million users in the first five days of its launch, according to OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman. And ChatGPT is the fastest-growing app in the whole world, said Swiss bank UBS. About two months after its debut, UBS analysis predicted ChatGPT would have 100 million active users by January (It was right). It is also attracting 96 million new visitors a month and its revenue is expected to hit 1 billion dollars by the end of 2024. Source. Gitnux, Chat GPT statistics.

Comparatively, TikTok reached 100 million users in nine months. Do you think with a customer base like that, it will remain free? The computer costs alone must be astronomical and I can’t see any business that could continue to absorb those costs.

Monetization.

Open AI’s Sam Altman admitted that will eventually need to be monetized because of its “eye-watering” compute costs, Musk was informed that the average cost of each response was in the “single-digits cents”. With 100 million users asking multiple questions even single-digit cents will be adding up.

Can Chat GPT help Educators?

As teachers, we must be asking ourselves the question “Can we ethically use Chat GPT in the classroom or even outside the classroom in pursuit of school business? can we use it for writing tests, or even putting together lesson plans or sample “papers” for the classroom, or even for marking tests. let us first look at what can be done before we discuss the moral and ethical implications of Chat GPT or any of the other A.I. programs out there.

What AI Programs are in the Market Now?

1. VoicePen AI: Convert audio content into blog posts, using AI.

https://voicepen.ai

2. Krisp: AI tool for removing background voices, noises, and echoes from calls.

https://krisp.ai/

3. Beatoven: AI tool for creating custom royalty-free music.

https://www.beatoven.ai/

4. Cleanvoice: AI tool for automatically editing podcast episodes.

https://cleanvoice.ai/

5. Podcastle: AI tool for studio-quality recording from your computer.

https://podcastle.ai/

6. Vidyo: AI tool for making short-form videos from long-form content.

https://vidyo.ai/

7. Maverick: AI tool for generating personalized videos at scale.

https://lnkd.in/eptCVijb

8. Soundraw: AI tool for creating original music.

https://soundraw.io/

9. Otter: AI tool for capturing and sharing insights from meetings.

https://otter.ai/

Copy and Content AI Tools:

—————————

1. Copy: AI tool for generating copy that increases conversions.

https://www.copy.ai/

2. CopyMonkey: AI tool for creating Amazon listings in seconds.

http://copymonkey.ai/

3. Ocoya: AI tool for creating and scheduling social media content.

https://www.ocoya.com/

4. Unbounce Smart Copy: AI tool for writing high-performing cold emails at scale.

https://unbounce.com/

5. Puzzle: AI tool for building a knowledge base for your team and customers.

https://www.puzzlelabs.ai/

And these are just a few of them, there are a lot more out there. And as sure as eggs our students will know a lot more than we do.

How can We Use AI in the Classroom?

A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) is one of the most recent changes we’ve observed in the educational system, and it has many people concerned about the potential consequences it may have. But it will never fully replace human instructors, AI supposedly has a lot to offer in the classroom.

They have already deployed “Robot Teachers” to varied degrees of success in some places in China where they are unable to send foreign teachers (mostly due to remoteness).

Source: The Daily Mail 2019 I can almost hear the Robot teachers saying, Dr Who like, exterminate, exterminate.

What areas could we effectively use AI in the classroom?

Teaching, and teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) needs to have a human in the classroom. I have yet to come across any AI that can understand sarcasm or when describing a new word be able to articulate via body language. Also picking up different nuances in the accent requires a human ear and an electronic ear, in my books, doesn’t cut it. Not yet anyway.

The Cons of Chat GPT.

One thing we must remember is Chat GPT only has an accuracy of 85% +. And while that may be good enough for most other things, it is not good enough for marking, tutoring or any other teaching activity. But if you can build those parameters into what you are doing and still manage the results effectively then it may be a useful tool.:

Source. Gitnux Chat GPT important statistics

It’s also critical to be aware that Chat GPT is still in beta format. The website clearly states that it may yield misleading information, including outright false information. Some have discovered that, when specifically prompted, it can also produce biased and discriminatory information.

Marking or Grading.

Scantron testing and computer tests have both been used for electronic grading for many years. As AI develops, teachers may be able to delegate all assignment marking to an AI, freeing up their time to spend more time with each student individually and adapt the curriculum to fit the needs of each class.

Additional cons apart from the 85% accuracy are the need for constant internet supply and the cost. So why do it? The time saved is immensely powerful. The amount of work teachers are expected to do just keeps increasing and if we can find anything to streamline our workflow, don’t get in my way.

Tutoring.

Tutors are crucial because teachers can’t be with their pupils at all times. Some students merely require a little bit more assistance with a certain subject. Going to a tutoring lesson might be unsettling for shy students rather than meeting with a tutor. Students who struggle with social or academic anxiety may find that working with an AI tutor gives them the support and self-assurance they need to thrive in school.

Helping Students Write.

Along with Chat GPT, you also have tools like Quillbot and Grammarly. Quillbot and Grammarly have slightly different ways of doing fairly similar things. Namely, they will check the spelling, grammar, and word order of what you have written. There are both free versions and paid versions. For students, especially ESL students, the non-paid version is quite ok.

And Chat GPT and a lot of other AI writing apps may help by prompting the student with appropriate headings for the student to add extra text or information. While Chat GPT and tools like Rytr make it easier to write content, it leaves itself open for blatant copying. Not plagiarism but copying straight from what the AI writes.

This is the part of AI that scares me the most. While trying to help the students we may inadvertently end up with a generation who can not write a story without help from AI.

In Ryters own words, “Generate killer content, effortlessly. Never face writer’s block again. From blogs to emails to ad copies, auto-generate catchy, original, and high-converting copies in popular tones & languages in just a few seconds. Just pick a use case, enter some context, and boom…your copy is ready.” Source Ryter.

Lesson Plans.

Writing lesson plans eventually becomes a chore. After your 3rd or 4th year, let alone 15, lesson plans can become a certain type of hell that only teachers understand. How can you say the same thing but differently after your 6th thousand lesson plan?

This is where Chat GPT comes in handy. Simply enter a topic or subject matter, and the chatbot will produce a list of related terms, ideas, and illustrations that you can use in your lesson plans. or perhaps even write your lesson plans for you. This is one I feel no qualms about using at all.

Personal Development.

Another use of Chat GPT I have no qualms about using is personal development. You can type into Chat GPT areas you believe would help you become a better teacher and see what ideas it comes up with.

To assist in enhancing teaching abilities, it may offer pertinent articles, videos, and other resources once you have typed in certain topics that are areas of interest..

Moral and Ethical Implications of Using Chat GPT.

As a teacher, the major ethical worry I have is the potential misuse by the students. Rather than just using it to improve grammar or check vocabulary the students may get the AI to write the whole essay. And if there is any problem with the training or input of the AI that will reflect in the final written paper.

Or in AI speak, the output of Chat GPT depends on the input is a key ethical issue. The output will be tainted if there are any issues with the input. For instance, if there is prejudice surrounding the input based on race, sexual orientation, or age, that will show in the final draft.

Results from this may be unjust and misleading, especially for underprivileged groups. In order to counteract prejudice and guarantee fair and accurate results, it is essential to have a broad and representative dataset in the first place.

Final Thoughts.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that ChatGPT is a bot, therefore you shouldn’t rely on it blindly. While depending on the chatbot’s recommendations, it’s crucial to exercise caution and apply your own discretion.

I suggest taking the chatbot’s responses as a model or guideline for all the things I listed above, then personalizing them for your needs and target audience by including your own thoughts and quirks. By doing this, you may avoid sounding robotic or generic and instead produce material that is more engaging and authentic.

Ultimately, using ChatGPT as a resource can be a great way to learn and get inspired, but it’s vital to keep in mind that the content will only be genuinely yours if you utilize your own imagination and judgment.

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you, and you could actually save money.  Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

 

 

 

 

Teaching in Vietnam with a Colostomy Bag.

Funny but Freaky.

About 11 years ago I had a bowel cancer problem and ended up with a colostomy bag.

And I want to tell you a funny story that happened to me when I went back to teaching in a Vietnamese primary school.

A Big Stomach.

It all started with me being “blocked-up”. I couldn’t pass anything in the “nether regions”. And I just thought, “ah well, living in Vietnam I am accustomed to this happening”. But after 5 days I started getting a bit worried. Day 7 and my stomach had swelled up like a balloon. It was rock hard and no amount of water or laxatives would get things moving.

My wife eventually got me to go to hospital and after an x-ray or several the doctors told me I had cancer of the bowel. They also told me they needed to operate immediately. To say I was “freaked out” is to put it mildly. The same day they operated on me and after a 12-hour operation I woke up. More stories about this part later, and yes we get to the truly disgusting and funny parts soon.

Back to Teaching English.

After 2 to 3 months off recovering the wallet told me I had to get back to work. All good except I had a colostomy bag that I had to carry around for another month while my “insides” were recovering.

At this stage I was working in a primary school teaching English to kids from 6 to 12 years of age in Ho Chi Minh City. Young kids and a teacher with a colostomy bag, no problems right? It was an accident waiting to happen and it ended in a veritable “shite storm”.

Same Same, but Different.

I had been back teaching and things had been going well. Just another day teaching truly great kids. I had no mishaps and I always had a spare set of clothes “just in case”. And little did I know it, but on this day I was definitely going to need them (and then some).

All the teachers knew I was wearing a colostomy bag and so did the children. An announcement at one assembly by the Principal saying “Mr Stephen had a “Tui Colostomy” and please do not bump into him or hug him. This announcement was made at the start of my return to work and “today” as I found out, it would be forgotten.

My morning classes of the day had gone well and it was a beautiful hot day. It ended up being lucky that it was a hot day as I was going to need that fast drying time. I was walking down the outside balcony on the way to the staff room for a coffee.

No Coffee Today.

There would be no coffee that morning for me. I was walking and talking with my T.A. (teachers assistant) when a young student of about 6 years old rushed up to me and gave me big hug. Vietnamese kids are really nice and this was a good student from one of my classes. However, you can imagine a 6-year-old kid and a colostomy bag come in around the same height and I knew the “proverbial” was about to hit the fan.

I looked down and was surprised that everything looked ok. I should have known better. One whiff and I knew we had a leak, the ship was going down. I excused myself to the TA and grabbed my bag and took off to the nearest bathroom. Luckily for me, these toilets had a shower, I didn’t know it yet, but I was going to need them.

A Veritable Shite Storm.

I got to the bathroom intact and started to strip down. By the time I got into the cubicle, I knew it was going to be bad because the smell had ramped up to level 9. I got to the bag and as soon as I touched it the bloody thing exploded. You might think these things can’t explode, and I never thought before then they could either. But I was dealing with a shite bomb and when I say it exploded, it went everywhere.

The bag had been full and when it went “off” it hit the roof, covered the walls, and splashed all over the floor. It could not have been worse. Luckily there was no one else in the toilets. Or if there were they must have quickly left because of the stench. It was like “Dantes inferno”, fecal matter was dripping from the ceiling and the walls looked like they had been smeared with old rotten cabbage and I can’t even describe the floor.

Thank god my spare clothes were in a plastic bag.

It Could Only Get Worse.

I very quickly grabbed my stuff and moved into the shower and washed me, my bag, and my first outfit. I also always carried spare colostomy bags, tape, etc, and for everything squared away. Twenty minutes and I started feeling I had pulled it off and could flee the scene of the crime unscathed and uncaught.

In hindsight, I should have just stuffed everything into my bag and run. However, I thought I would drape my clothes in the sun for 10 minutes and partially dry them off. Bad move.

The Cleaning Lady

I knew I had made a mistake as soon as I saw the cleaning lady head into the toilets. It was impossible to clean my cubicle and it was still in the same state as when I left it when the cleaning lady headed in. OMG.

She had seen me draping my clothes on the balcony and you didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what had happened. I had never seen a Vietnamese person turn white before today. She came out after about 3 seconds and just looked at me, shook her head and fled. I believe she never came back and I guess she had some burning questions that would never be answered. Or at least not by me as I fled the scene of the crime too and luckily had finished teaching for the day.

Life as Usual

I did go back to the school the next day and nothing was ever said to me about it. It is times like this you have to admire the politeness of the Vietnamese people. But I did get the odd funny look and none of the Vietnamese teachers sat next to me for a couple of weeks. Just in case I guess.

When you come to Vietnam to work you will acquire your own “funny” life stories, however, I truly hope this never happens to you.

Stephen

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.

TET Festival in Vietnam. (Year of the Cat)

Tet is a wonderful time of year to get to know your Vietnamese friends and their family. Make the most of this time to learn about the culture.

Tet in Asia 2023.

The Lunar New Year is observed in many Asian nations from late January to mid-February. The world’s largest yearly human migration occurs over the holiday as hundreds of millions of people travel back to their homes, paralyzing the global economy and creating crazy traffic jams.

China.

The Lunar New Year is the only time of year in China when the entire nation gathers for a family reunion at once. The government estimates that approximately three billion journeys will be made during the 15 days of celebration.

South Korea.

Except for a few years when they alternate by a day, the Chinese New Year and South Korea’s Seollal coincide for the most part. Three days are often spent celebrating the holiday, including the day before and the day following. On New Year’s Eve, Koreans remain up till the wee hours because, according to local myth, if you don’t, your eyebrows will turn white and you’ll age more quickly than usual.

Bhutan.

The longest night of the year, the winter solstice was originally the day on which Bhutan celebrated the New Year or Losar. However, the nation later synchronized with the Tibetan calendar thanks to Buddhism and began to observe Losar in February, as did Mongolia and Tibet. As it was the day when people gave their yearly offering of grains to the monk Ngawang Namgyal, the religious figure who brought Bhutan together.

Mongolia.

The Mongolian word for the new year is Tsagaan Sar, which means “White Moon.” During the festival, Mongols used to wear only white clothing, ride white horses, and consume only dairy products. The country’s nomadic herders celebrate the New Year as the arrival of spring after the long and difficult winter. A month before the festival, families must clean their homes, fix any broken items, make food for the feast, and either purchase or make new traditional clothing to wear on the big day.

Laos.

In Laos, the New Year begins much later—in mid-April—than in other Asian nations. The start of the monsoon season coincides with the hottest time of the year. Water is the most prominent element of their New Year celebrations, perhaps as a result of this. Young people participate in water fights with each other on the first day of the year to wash away any negative karma. This happens after pouring water on their elders, and Buddhist monks and requesting blessings of long life and peace.

Vietnam New Year 2023.

You will already see from the brief descriptions above that the main focus of TET is the coming together of family and friends to celebrate this time of year. A lot of time, effort, and money go into Tet and there are some very important traditions to do.

As well as things you should do there are also things that should not be done. For example, before the holidays begin the house gets a thorough cleaning. However, you should not sweep anything out the front door because your money will go along with the dirt. It will be swept out the door and you will have a bad year financially.

The Year of the Cat in Vietnam.

My Vietnamese zodiacal sign is the dog. And as the animal sign for 2023 is the cat, I am unsure as to what this means for me in this coming year. My wife, Nga, has already told me that this year is not an auspicious year for me. I enter this year with trepidation, what will happen to me?

The year of the cat lasts from January 22nd, 2023 through to February 9th, 2024. And the cat is the 4th sign in the Vietnamese zodiac.

Vietnamese New Year (Tet) is based on their lunisolar calendar that gives a varying date in January/February that Tet will fall upon. Each Lunar New Year marks the start of a new zodiac sign year, as shown below.

Tet Festivities.

Even while the public holiday only lasts six days, local festivities last roughly 20 days, starting on “Minor New Year” or “Kitchen God Day” (January 14 in 2023) and ending with Tet Nguyen Tieu, or the “First Full Moon of the Year” (February 5th, 2023).

Visiting someone’s home on the first day of the new year (xông nhà), doing ancestor worship, exchanging New Year’s greetings, presenting lucky money to youngsters and the elderly, and visiting friends, family, and neighbors are just a few of the customs and traditions that are observed during Tet.

Tet is a time for family get-togethers. Vietnamese people visit their families and temples during Tet. This is the time of year to look forward to a better new year and forget about the problems of the previous one.

Vietnamese people, like those in other Asian nations, think that the colors red and yellow would bring good fortune, which may be why these hues are so prevalent during the Lunar New Year (And also the flag). People consider what they do on the dawn of Tet will determine their fate for the whole year, hence people always smile and behave as nicely as they can in the hope of a better year.

Tet and Family.

During Tet, most Vietnamese people visit their families. Some people go back to their hometown to catch up with family and friends.
Some people go back to their hometown to catch up with family and friends.

All Vietnamese celebrate Tet, although each region and faith has its own customs and traditions.

Tet can be divided into three parts in the three Vietnamese regions.

These parts are called Tất Niên (Before New Year’s Eve), Giao Thừa (New Year’s Eve), and Tân Niên (the New Year, and they stand for the preparations leading up to Tet, Tet eve, and the days of and following Tet, respectively. All of these customs are to celebrate Tet in Vietnam.

Tet Traditions and Customs.

According to Vietnamese custom, if a family experiences good fortune on the first day of the lunar New Year, the entire following year will also be fortunate.

A family’s fate for the entire year is determined by the very first visitor they have in the new year. A person with high morality, success, and “good standing” is fortunate; yet, the contrary is viewed as unfavorable.

Sweeping is discouraged during Tet because it represents throwing good fortune or money out the door or window.

The second day of Tet is often allocated for friends, whilst the first day is for family. Nevertheless, this is not strictly followed. The third day was traditionally reserved for teachers.

Visiting Pagodas and Temples During Tet.

A pagoda visit is customarily advised during Tet. The practice is referred to as “Lễ Chùa” – in which “lễ” denotes paying homage to Buddha and the deities represented in pagodas and temples and visiting them.

Despite their busy schedules during Tet, all Vietnamese make an effort to visit their local pagoda and make well their wishes for the upcoming year.

Tet and Flowers in Vietnam.

Wherever you go on the lead-up to get you will see flowers. They will be in the local markets, on the side of the road, and totally filling your local park.

Unless you have spent time in Vietnam during Tet you will have no concept of the number of flowers that are on show everywhere in the lead-up to Tet.

The Vietnamese decorate their homes during this festive time with a variety of flowers and plants. Chrysanthemums, marigolds, Mao Ga flowers, paper flowers, and lavender are a few examples of what is used.

Even if it’s not yet common, some people showcase orchids and roses nowadays. Additionally, three plant species—peach flower, ochna integerrima, and marumi kumquat—are synonymous with Tet and should be present during Tet celebrations.

Mao Ga Flowers.

Look at “Tuoi Tre News”, the English newspaper from Vietnam for more information about “Flower Street” and the beautiful display of TET flowers for 2023.

Tet and Food in Vietnam.

There are quite a few different types of food on offer over Tet. However, it sometimes feels that “Pork and Eggs” are the main source of sustenance during this period. During my first Tet, I really enjoyed this standby. However, after 3 or 4 Tets and visiting numerous families where they would dish up “Pork and Eggs”, “Pork and Eggs”, “Pork and Eggs” “Pork and Eggs”, “Pork and Eggs”, “Pork and Eggs” repeatedly like a lost wandering Turkey after a New Years Eve, you start to wonder if your taste buds have gone crazy.

It is quite honestly delicious. Nice juicy chunks of braised pork belly with coconut milk and eggs – a fatty, sensuous melt-in-your-mouth delight – and it can be eaten with pickled vegetables for an orgasm-in-the-mouth moment.

Traditional Tet Foods.

Families and friends get together to commemorate this occasion with one another through a range of customs and activities, like gift-giving and cooking traditional foods, as we have already covered.

Gift baskets for Tet are stuffed with sweets including candy, fruits, and traditional Vietnamese cakes. Additionally, there are delicacies like Xôi, Bánh Chung, and Bánh tét.

This is a holiday where food plays a significant and symbolic role. For many people, the celebration would not be complete without festive appetizers.

This is also why in the Vietnamese language, Tết is not celebrated but rather “eaten”. And, oh boy, there is a huge selection of different foods you can enjoy.

Here is a post about => Vietnamese street food <= that may help you understand the importance of food within Vietnamese culture.

Do’s and Dont’s about Tet in Vietnam.

In Vietnam, there are several traditions that specify what should and should not be done at certain times. You should follow these guidelines, especially if you have been welcomed into a Vietnamese family’s home during Tet.

  • Do enjoy yourself and have fun with these beautiful people in this wonderful country.
  • Do prepare “lucky money” for younger children and older citizens to express good wishes. These should be given with both hands and normally only in small denominations. If you are going to someone’s home over yet check if they have children so you can prepare the “lucky money” in advance.
  • Do exchange gifts during Tet, especially if you have a business arrangement. The most popular gifts are sweets like cookies, chocolates, fruit baskets, wine, soft beverages, and other goodies. In most cases, individuals can get a gift set from the store that includes a variety of foods. Use this chance to strengthen your relationships with any Vietnamese business partners you may have.
  • Do buy new clothes before Tet as you wish to look as good as possible over these holidays. Also, smile and turn that frown upside down.
  • Do pay back any outstanding debts. This is the time of year to clear the slate and be fresh for the new year.

And don’t.

  • Don’t swear, argue or be rude over Tet. Do not talk about death, or swear and argue. We should be bringing no conflict or bad thoughts into the new year. We need to calm down and be peaceful.
  • Don’t commit cruelty to animals. This is the time of year you can set animals free. Birds are the most typical animal released during Tet festivities. Because of this, during the Tet holidays, birds are sold in pagodas. This idea derives from Buddhism, which holds that individuals will experience luck if they do good things for others.
  • Don’t sweep the house or empty the bins. Especially on the first day of the new year, sweeping the home or emptying the garbage will cause all of your luck and money to leave your home. So, remember to do this. Tet is not the time to drop things on the floor and dirty the place and it is best when visiting someone to ask before you do anything significant.
  • Don’t wear black or white clothes as they symbolize death and are commonly worn at funerals. Colorful clothes are recommended.

Final Thoughts.

Vietnam, the country and its people are, for the most part, beautiful people and Tet is a great time to get to know them and their families.

You want to try to get to be invited to someone’s “hometown” and see how they live and enjoy themselves. Tet otherwise can be extremely boring as most people have left the city and it can be difficult to find a good restaurant open or a lot of services open as well.

I remember one Tet before I knew many people and it was difficult to find anything (Outside of the tourist and pricey areas) or anywhere to buy food and other services.

It is a good idea to stock up your fridge (if you are an ex-pat) and have phone cards or other day-to-day needs covered before Tet happens.

However this is a great time to relax but because everyone else is holidaying at the same time, it is pricey and crowded.

Stephen.

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.

Surviving Vietnam

Whether in Vietnam for a holiday or to work these tips will make your stay a bit easier.

Tips for Living in Vietnam.

I have been living and working in Vietnam for over 15 years and these few tips will help you in your daily life in Vietnam.

Vietnam is a beautiful country with some truly wonderful people and fantastic landscape. For example, Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its emerald waters and limestone islands covered in rainforests. If you wish to find out more about Halong Bay visit my article on “Holidays in Halong Bay“.

My top 10 tips.

1. When entering someone’s home, remove your footwear. Vietnamese are very neat and clean and it is expected for all to remove their outside shoes at the doorway.

2. Like a lot of Asia, patting or touching someone’s head is seen as rude. The younger generation doesn’t care so much about this, but it is better to be discrete and not do it.

3. Do NOT put toilet paper in the toilet. You will find a basket or bin (Yucky) next to the toilet, put it there. Even after a wipe. The pipes in Vietnam are not big enough for paper. There is normally a water gun ( bidet, foreigners call it a bum gun ) next to the toilet, do NOT drink the water. This is to wash your bottom and other parts.

4. Do not drink tap water unless you are staying in a 5-star hotel. Otherwise, you will get sick. You can brush your teeth, cook, and use it for washing dishes in most urban areas. However, I would recommend using bottled water or boiling the tap water for several minutes before use. It is better to be more cautious in rural areas though and boil or use bottled water in all cases.

5. Please do not put boiling or very hot water down the kitchen sink. Most houses have thin plastic pipes and not metal, and they will dissolve in contact with boiling water. (and there will be water all over the floor) Then you have to go to the hardware store and try to find the correct pipes. Haha, I can laugh now, but it was not fun when it happened.

6. Drinking beer is a BIG part of Vietnamese culture and is used to relax after work. Quite often you will see the workers out having a good time, and where are the wives? But please do not vomit or fall asleep at the table, that is what the toilet is for. Also, be prepared to have ice in your beer, it keeps it cold and waters it down. A good idea if you end up drinking 15 beers. Be careful of the ice, although it is much better now than when I first arrived in Vietnam. I was out having a few drinks with my Vietnamese co-workers when I saw firsthand a waiter scooping ice out of the urinals for a customer. Lol, be nice to the waiters. What I do like though is that food and beer go hand in hand, so you are always eating and drinking at the same time.

7. This tip I should have put this as number one. Before you come to Vietnam, please leave any preconceived ideas at home. Please remember that Vietnam is run by and for the Vietnamese and if we can understand that our life will be much easier. If you wish to delve deeper into this, please look at my blog, “Living in Vietnam“

8. If you invite someone for coffee or lunch, dinner, etc, you pay.

It was common that if you had bought a new “toy” like a motorbike or another expensive “toy”, then friends and neighbors would be invited for drinks. This is certainly not as common these days.

9. Don’t be mean. It is OK to bargain, but when I see foreigners quibbling over $1.00 it makes me angry. That is the Vietnamese merchants profit and while $1.00 is not much for us, it is for the Vietnamese. Also, when haggling, be polite.

Do not get angry. Sometimes not easy but if you get angry……you lose. You lose your dignity, and it turns your day into something less pleasant.

10. Vietnam uses phone cards to top up their credit on their mobile phones. It is not difficult to do, but you may want to ask the shopkeeper to add it to your phone the first time or two. Obviously, you can not add this to any phone you have brought with you (Unless you have transferred it to a local carrier like Mobifone or Vinaphone). Be aware you only get 3 attempts to add credit to your phone. If you make a mistake and use up your 3 attempts, you will lose your money.

Final Thoughts.

Whether you come to Vietnam for a holiday or an extended stay including work, you will have a great time as long as you remember we are a guest in this wonderful country and things are quite often done differently than what they are at home. You can read more about etiquette in Vietnam in an older post here.

Learning a few phrases will go a long way in opening the doors of friendship. Even if you get the phrases wrong, you will be appreciated for making the attempt. My preference is the “Mondly” app to help learn a few phrases and you can find the link on the right-hand side of this article.

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.

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Living in Vietnam.

Enjoying the Vietnamese Lifestyle.

What I want to write about today is a bit different from what I normally write about. But, it is one of the most important topics if you want to work or live in Vietnam for an extended period of time.

This article is not so much about what you can find in Vietnam or even what you should bring. But, it is about what you should leave at home.

Ethnocentrism and the Uneasy Traveller

According to the Oxford Dictionary “Ethnocentrism” is the ” evaluation of other cultures according to the preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of our own culture”

Before heading into the topic of a foreign teacher being fired (And what sparked this article) and the debate as to whether he should have been fired or not, I want to cover more on “moral codes” and what makes up “ethnocentricism”

Moral Codes and Cultural Differences.

Moral codes are a set of rules that show how a person should treat others and behave within society. They are learned through interactions with others in society by picking up behavioral standards within your cultural area.

Our moral codes are heavily dependent upon our culture. All these codes may cover aspects of our lives from how we act, how we dress, and how we treat others.

There are some moral codes that are regularly found throughout the world. These would be “though shall not kill” or “treat others as we would like to be treated”

However, each culture has its own idea as to what is right or wrong. These other aspects of moral codes are a direct reflection of the ethical thinking of that area.

Cultural Insensitivity in the Workplace.

I have been living and working in Vietnam for 16 years and I have seen a truckload of cultural insensitivity from both foreigners and Vietnamese. However, the thing to remember is that Vietnam is run by and for the Vietnamese and if we can understand that our life will be much easier.

I have often seen new foreign English teachers come to Vietnam with preconceived ideas telling the Vietnamese teachers how English should be taught. While some of the topics raised by the new teacher may be valid, they should take their time to find out how things are done. Losing “face” is still quite a big thing in Vietnam.

I remember talking to someone very high up in Sacom bank and we were discussing how banks (Being a capitalist entity) survived and thrived in Vietnam and how they dealt with the Government. The gentleman I was talking to gave me an example of how an idea that the bank has is introduced to the government.

First off the idea is planted within the government, at a lower “rank”, and allowed to percolate up to the top. Then a meeting between the bank and the government is organized during which the bank praises the government for its forward-thinking idea.

I’m not saying this is how teaching is, but it gives you some idea about the different approaches that need to be taken.

The Firing of a Foreign Teacher.

There was an incident very recently involving a foreign teacher, a security guard, students, and a Vietnamese teacher.

If it wasn’t so serious it would sound like the start of a bad joke. To start at the end, a foreign teacher was fired after a “scuffle” with a 65 year old security guard. The security guard was checking the names of students who were allowed to leave after the 4th lesson of the day.

At the school above, the 11th graders were allowed to leave as long as their names were on the guards’ list. The guard also checked the name tags of the students who were eligible to leave.

One of the 11th graders was wearing a jacket so the security guard could not see her name. When the security guard asked her to remove her jacket she refused and the guard started yelling at her. This is when the foreign teacher stepped in and pushed the guard over.

The “scuffle” then broke out after the guard was pushed over. Because of the violent acts carried out by both the teacher and guard the school board got together to discuss what should happen next.

The foreign teacher was allowed to continue teaching while the decision was being made about what was to be done with all parties. The head of the English department then asked the foreign teacher to refrain from posting anything on social media.

This seemingly didn’t go down well with the teacher who then started kicking the “teachers’ room” door and yelling at the head of the English Department. He was obviously fired at this stage. But to add one more piece of ludicrousness, the teacher then went onto social media and tried to get the students to defame the school. Trying to incite the students to rebellion.

Who does this guy think he is? he obviously has no regard for any other foreign teachers in Vietnam. Surprisingly there were some who supported this teacher. I did not see the whole story and did not get to talk to anyone firsthand about this, but I think just pushing the 65-year-old over would be grounds enough for dismissal alone. What do you think?

Final Thoughts.

If and when you come to Vietnam, please leave your preconceived ideas at home. We are guests in this lovely country and yes there are things that are different and they may not sit easily with us. However, if you can adapt to this culture (and there is not that much you need to adapt) you will have the time of your life.

Also, remember there are other foreigners and teachers who live here and we get “tarred by the same brush” if we do anything wrong. Vietnam is a very tolerant country, however, it doesn’t take much to influence the Vietnamese that we are insensitive to others feelings.

Thank you.

Stephen

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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.

 

Common Health Problems for the EFL Teacher.

Health Problems in the Classroom.

Keeping one’s physical health together when teaching in the classroom and online is important, especially when doing remote instruction via a computer. But as a teacher, it’s crucial to look after your mental health as well. You will benefit from this as well as improve your teaching and student outcomes.

Being a teacher is such a demanding job. A teacher is continuously “on the go,” and if they are not careful, the students can quickly sap your energy on a regular basis. Many teachers feel exhausted and drained when they return home. Not physically fatigued, but mentally spent. A person will eventually start to feel mentally exhausted and “hit the wall”. As a result of this, you will undoubtedly be affected outside of the classroom as well.

Being an EFL or ESL teacher in a foreign country can also leave you open to feelings of “aloneness” and wondering how you can cope. Often there is no support structure in place and this can lead to harmful substance abuse situations.

Common Educator Health Problems.

Teachers are generally held in high regard because of the challenging work they do.

They have the responsibility of assisting students in learning and helping with intellectual development, from young children to adults and they are expected to adhere to rigid lesson plans. On top of that, they are not necessarily paid the greatest salary.

It may be necessary for them to attend class even though they are feeling under the weather, then stay up late to prepare for their upcoming class of students. All this contributes to various physical health problems and there are some health issues that are more likely to emerge in teachers.

Here are a few of the most prevalent physical health issues that instructors encounter.

Due to the physical demands of the profession, educators deal with a wide range of medical conditions, from back discomfort to vocal demands from speaking in large noisy classrooms and eye strain from the amount of reading done.

Most physical health problems can be solved by fixing the problems with the school administrators or dealing directly with doctors and related problems.

However, today we are going to be looking at stress and the problems related to protecting your mental health. And what we can do as individual teachers to help alleviate these problems, especially as ESL teachers.

Trying to Maintain Mental Health in the ESL Classroom.

The answer isn’t as straightforward as “taking a break” (although it can help momentarily), in my opinion, you should match your daily actions with your emotional beliefs. Make sure your actions and the topics you cover in your teaching are consistent with your beliefs.

The simple reality that many teachers are tearing out their hair because their ideals about teaching and learning don’t align with their teaching environment can cause a lot of mental tension and misery.

You only need to look at what is happening in the U.S.A at the moment with mass resignations reverberating throughout the teaching profession to understand the depths of despair in the education industry.  

More Options.

It can be challenging to seek the support you need to maintain your mental health when mixed with a culture of self-sacrifice and external pressures.

Without assistance, continuing is unsustainable, and eventually, something will break. This can make it difficult for you to manage your day-to-day workload at work, necessitating time off for treatment, and more.

How to avoid problems or relieve symptoms:

You have alternatives to handle pressures at work, depending on how severe they are for you. You can get the tools to handle this through talk therapy, support groups with other educators, mental wellness applications, and the usage of perks like an employee assistance program if these are available.

However, as I mentioned before, when you are in a foreign country with a lack of resources you will be struggling to find any type of support structure. Added to that, if you are in a country that has a large “party scene” you may find some teachers start abusing alcohol as a coping mechanism. This is something that should be avoided at all costs.

Simple Solutions.

There are some simple measures you can take that will help insulate you from some of the worse conditions of living in a foreign country where you may or may not be feeling homesick.

Before you leave for your new life in the country of your dreams check out the Facebook groups you can join and look for other activities you can do as well. At the same time, get your ideal lifestyle and employment worked out! It’s not as difficult as it may seem to select a work abroad program, especially if you prepare prior to traveling.

Another thing you may wish to do is to put together a selection of photos of friends and family to remind you of your support groups if and when you need them.

Surrounding yourself with things and people that remind you of home will help you to settle into your new country and new job more easily.

Join Clubs.

Most large cities in Vietnam have a good selection of clubs and groups that you can join and make friendships with people who have similar interests.

Learning the local language will not only help you develop new friendships it will also open new doors of understanding within your new country. 

After living in Vietnam for more than 15 years, the people I see who survive and thrive are those who immerse themselves in the culture and develop a strong network of friends.

For example, Expats in HCMC are an English-speaking community in Vietnam and are one of many groups available.

Final Words.

With the post-effects of covid still trickling through and with Christmas on the horizon I wanted to make people aware that it is OK to feel a bit down at times. 

You can do a few things that will help you cope if you are having problems. Remember you are not in it alone and there are a lot of people who can help, and not just professionally. It is just as important to be able to sit down with friends and discuss how you are feeling.

Christmas can be a time when you feel alone and isolated, so if you are feeling like that, I urge you to reach out and get in contact with someone to talk with. I am also here if you need a good listener.

Spending your first Christmas away from family can present its own challenges and there are always people available to talk to. Don’t try to cope with any problems alone. As cliched as it sounds, a problem shared is a problem lessened.

 



Stephen

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.