Some of the Vital Requirements to Teach English in Vietnam

Vietnam has been getting a lot of attention from media outlets which have caused an influx of visitors. People are drawn to the country because of its unique sights, such as the mopeds on the streets of Hanoi and the floating villages in Ha Long Bay. If you want to have an authentic experience in Vietnam, one of the best ways to do so is by teaching English in Vietnamese schools. Not only will you be able to see the country up close, but you’ll also be giving back to the community.

That said, before you can move to this wonderful country and enjoy all it has to offer, there are a few requirements you must first meet.

A Degree and a TEFL Certificate

The most important requirement for teaching English as a foreign language is a valid degree in any subject and evidence of having completed a TEFL course. Both documents will be sent to be apostilled, which is a process to authenticate that they are real. Once they are stamped and verified by a solicitor and the Vietnamese Embassy, you can start looking for flights.

A Good Amount of Work Options

In Vietnam, people think that learning English is very important and will help them have more opportunities. People often approach foreigners to practice their English skills.

The demand for TEFL teachers is high, which is good news for people looking for a job in this field. However, the large number of job postings can be overwhelming, making it difficult to find the right job.

There are a lot of great companies out there, but it’s important to make sure you find the one that’s right for you. Think about what you need in a job (location, contract length, housing allowance, etc.) and find the company that best meets those needs.

A Good Amount of Cultural Research

When you travel to a new country, it is important to be respectful of the customs and culture of that place. This can help you avoid culture shock and make your overall experience more enjoyable. In Vietnam, there are many different cultural customs that you should be aware of. By doing your research ahead of time, you can make sure that you are prepared and respectful of the culture.

Preliminary research on the Vietnamese language is important to do before travelling to Vietnam. You may feel isolated while in the country without knowing the basics of the language.

When greeting someone in Vietnam, modifying your greeting to respect the person’s age group is polite. Saying “Xin-chao” is a good start, but there are other ways to be more polite. For example, when greeting an older man or woman, you can say “chao anh” or “chao chi”. If you are talking to someone younger than you, simply saying “chao em” is sufficient.

Different regions in Vietnam pronounce the “R” sound differently. In the north, the “R” is pronounced as a “Z”, while in the south, it is simply an “R”. This can cause confusion when ordering food, so be sure to pronounce the word correctly depending on the region you are in.

Conclusion

Some of the vital requirements to teach English in Vietnam include a genuine interest in teaching and a strong sense of pedagogical methodology. Additionally, a good command of the English language is essential, as is a good working knowledge of Vietnamese culture.

Be sure to take note of them all, and you are on your way to having a successful English-teaching career in the amazing land of the ascending dragon.If you are hoping to volunteer in Vietnam, with regard to teaching the English language, then we at Volunteering Solutions UK might just be what you are looking for. We are a reputed international volunteer placement organisation, offering incredible volunteering and internship opportunities in more than 27 different countries. Call us today for more information about our organisations and our available volunteer work.