Paid TEFL Internship in Vietnam

Overview

Vietnam is overhauling its education system, preparing students for the increasing importance of English as the working language of the world and internationalizing its curriculum so the workforce can maintain the country’s rapid economic growth of the last two decades. A diverse country with natural beauty, historical locations and modern development, it takes time to explore and appreciate all Vietnam has to offer.

Participants receive a comprehensive one-week orientation to living, traveling and teaching in Vietnam. You’ll learn about modern Vietnamese life; Vietnam’s history, culture, language and religion and education system as well as get advice about transport, food, water, health, communications, money and safety. During your orientation you will also learn what to expect when you go to your school and what your school expects of you.

Internship requirements

• Be aged between 20 and 35 years old at time of travel
• Be a native English speaker
• A passport from Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or the United States
• Bachelor’s degree
• TESOL/TEFL certificate (included)
• Appropriate personal qualities (maturity, flexibility etc.)
• Ability to cope with challenges, good communication skills, cultural sensitivity
• A range of hobbies and interests
• Good health (applicants must submit complete a health check as part of the work permit process)
• Clean police record

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How it works

Before you go, you’ll have an application form to fill out, a video chat, submit all your documents and then you’ll be on your way to Vietnam.

Getting there

On arrival, you’ll be met by our in-country team with all the other interns. At the end of the one week orientation you’ll travel by bus, train or flight to your placement location with your fellow interns.

What do you need to organize?

• International flights: You’ll need return flights (can be two one-way)
• Police check: You’ll need a clean criminal record
• Health check: You’ll need to provide a health statement
• Vaccines: Consult your local doctor for advice
• Budget: Spending money for your first month plus excursions etc
• Visa cost: You’ll have support to obtain your visa, the cost is around $250 USD
• Travel insurance: It’s really important to sort yours before you travel!

Your teaching experience

Schools in Vietnam vary greatly. You may be placed in a private language school, a private primary or high school or a government school. Some regional primary schools will be small, whilst secondary schools in urban areas may have thousands of students. While some of the schools do have foreign teachers, there are many schools in Vietnam where you will be the only international intern, however you will have a liaison figure at the school to assist with your integration into the school community.

On average, you will teach 35 hours per week. You will be scheduled to teach for 20 hours per week, usually 3-4 per day for 5-6 day, as well as preparing your lessons and submitting lesson plans. While the role is that of “Teacher Intern” you can expect to take lessons by yourself most or all of the time, although you may have a teaching assistant in the younger classrooms. The emphasis is on the teaching of “conversational English”.

Location

Based on the individual schools’ selection process and your age-group preference, you will spend the next few months gaining hands-on teaching experience in placements in or around the cities of:

• Hanoi, Haiphong, Halong, Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh, Hue and in the Mekong Delta

Students should expect to be based somewhere either more urban or rural, with placements generally in local areas rather than tourist areas; many are in suburbs of the cities or in smaller towns.

Outside the classroom

After the internship most interns travel in Southeast Asia; inexpensive buses are available to Cambodia and Laos and domestic flights within the region (Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Airways) are comparatively low.

Allowance

As prices in Vietnam are very inexpensive, your monthly stipend of US$700 will go a long way. Clothing can be purchased very cheaply and Vietnamese food is fresh and inexpensive, especially if you shop at local markets.