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Thousands of English teaching opportunities can be found in China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, etc. Teaching English would be a great way to travel around Asia, experience the culture and explore local life. Most noticeably, teaching English industry has gained popularity, some Westerns are willing to stay and build their class or English center in these countries.
While Vietnam isn’t the best-paying country, but you can save amount of money when living and working there due to the low living cost. The best places to look for jobs in Vietnam are the biggest cities like Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Vung Tau. However, recently, there are also many English centers from all over the country looking for English teachers like Can Tho, Binh Duong, Pleiku, Da Lat, Hai Phong, etc.
Teacher Qualifications
If you are a native English speaker with a University of any kinds, it would be great enough for you to get a good job in Asia.
However, having a TESOL/TEFL/CELTA teaching certificate would be a must for those big schools/centers. The true is, though, some of my friends even don’t have any of these still can apply for jobs in Asia. Thus I think it is just a plus for your CV, or it is just compulsory in some schools or centers.
Some centers will ask for teaching experience, many others will give you a chance. Interview and Demo class would be a crucial criteria to decide whether you are accepted to teach at school or not and how much your starting salary is.
Types of job:
Teaching in private schools, universities, public schools, English centers, teaching online, tutoring.
In Vietnam, public schools and universities usually recruit teachers before the start of school year or at least before each semester. So you may want to apply before August or September. However, there are thousands of other opportunities as English centers hire teacher all year-round.
Interview:
Prefer face-to face interview, just a few schools got online/Skype interview. (You also can consider looking for the teaching online job. Contact and apply as many schools as you can, and travel to Vietnam for the interview.
Visa:
Most will convert from the tourist visa to working visa.
Working hours:
About 20-35 hours/ week. Allowing plenty of time for travelling as long as you inform at least 1 month in advance.
For private and public schools: working hours will be office hours
For English centers: working hours are at weekday nights and weekends.
According to the small survey with my friends who are teaching in Asia, you can earn up to $15,000 – $17,000 (updated 2017) teaching in Vietnam, besides, you can easily get the second job or tutor or do online teaching to earn the extra money. Many of my friends work in 2 places, in the morning they work in a public or private schools, at night and weekend they teach in English centers.
There are many English centers and schools in Vietnam, but not all the centers are willing to take care your working visa, medical care or others basic benefits. Thus, the best way is to get a job in a big center/ school and get part time job in others center.
Here are some recommendations about those well- known and quality schools/ centers in Vietnam
BRITISH COUNCIL VIETNAM
BC has been teaching English for more than 80 years and have helped more than 100 million people in 100 different countries improve their English skills and build their confidence.
BC is continuously looking for full time and hourly paid teachers to work at our English teaching centres, as well as freelance teacher trainers for our teacher training contracts mainly offsite.
Vietnam – USA Society – The English Center (VUS)
VUS is the leader in the English Language Training (ELT) industry in Vietnam with millions of learners enrolling for its English courses since its foundation. There are 30 centers in Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Binh Duong, Bien Hoa and Vung Tau.
ILA VIETNAM
ILA is Vietnam’s leading English Language training organization. We have training centers around the country and are continuing to grow every year. ILA is located in many cities around Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Can Tho, Rach Gia, Da Nang, Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Bien Hoa.
WALL STREET ENGLISH
Wall Street English is very well-know quality English center all over the world. You can find teaching at Wall Street English in other Asian countries as well.
VASS
VASS English is a member of Vietnamese American School System. This is an international standard English centre with various English training programs for children, teenagers, English for Communication for adults and preparation courses for international exams such as TOEFL and IELTS. VASS schools are in Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh.
VAS-VIETNAM AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
VAS is a very well- known international school in HCM for kindergarten, primary, secondary. Teachers are offered great opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
Besides, there are thousands of other centers and schools in Vietnam that offer great opportunities for you. Hope you find a high-paying job and enjoy your journey!!!!
| Aten English | www.aten.edu.vn |
| Australian-Vietnam School of English | www.avse.edu.vn |
| EQuest | www.equest.edu.vn |
| Kent International College | kent.edu.vn |
| VATC English Center | www.vatc.edu.vn |
| Saigon South International School | www.ssis.edu.vn |
| CEFATLT | www.cefalt.edu.vn/ |
| Renaissance International School | www.renaissance.edu.vn |
| NIS | www.nis.edu.vn/ |
| YOLA | www.yola.vn/en/ |
| ACET | www.acet.edu.vn/ |
Below are some expat groups that you can join to connect with the community.
Expats & Locals In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Expats in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vietnam
Fexpats – Female Expats and Locals in Ho Chi Minh city
English Teaching Jobs in Vietnam (The Original)
Me, The Man & The Kids
February 16, 2019Very useful post for someone who is interested in teaching English as a language. I love how it’s a brilliant way to travel and indulge in another culture and share your skills at the same time 🙂
Mai Van
February 18, 2019Yes, it is a great way to travel. Hope you guys have a great time in Asia. <3
Irina
February 16, 2019These are some great ideas. Do you happen to know if there is any way to teach English without being a native speaker? (For example just by having a Bachelor and a Master’s in English Language and Literature?)
Mai Van
February 18, 2019Hello dear, I have many friends who are not native speakers got a good job in Vietnam. I think Master in English Language and Literature is a bonus for your CV, please contact those lists of schools above. Good luck!!
Arunima Dey
February 17, 2019Thanks for these suggestions. I have looked into teaching English abroad as an ESL teacher but realised that 99% of the countries only take those who belong to native English speaking countries. I have a PhD in English but still don’t qualify as my country isn’t considered native speaking.
Mai Thanh Van
February 18, 2019Try Ho Chi Minh, and those cities near by Vung Tau, Binh Duong… many of my friends who are not native got jobs there. PhD would be a great bonus for your CV. For Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, It is a bit harder for non-native, but try the list above. Good Luck.
Yen
February 17, 2019A very comprehensive post for those who’re interest in teaching English in Southeast Asia. I’ve thought about doing so, but English is not my first language, even though I’m quite confident with it. Maybe I’ll do that someday!
Mai Van
February 18, 2019Good Luck Yen, hope you can find a great job and experience the new position as an inspirational teacher.
Brett
February 17, 2019I met a few people who were teaching English in Vietnam. They loved the experience and how they could travel around the country on days off. For adventure seekers for sure.
Mai Van
February 18, 2019Yes Brett. I’m jealous with my friends in VN too haha, I love to hear their stories after every of their trips.
Chandni
February 17, 2019This is a very helpful post. I’m sure it’ll be useful for a lot of people coming to Asia.
Mai Van
February 18, 2019Thank you @Chandni, hope it is useful for you 2.
Ali Dunnell
February 17, 2019What a useful and informative blog post. I qualified as a TEFL teacher over 20 years ago and it really did give me the chance to travel the world. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Mai Van
February 18, 2019Woww. great.. travel, work and experience, hope you have the greatest experiences with those places you stop by <3
Nina Out and About
February 17, 2019This is a really great resource for people who want to teach English in Asia – especially Vietnam. I used to consider doing it (until I realized I’m a horrible teacher), and would have loved something like this,
Mai Van
February 18, 2019^^ We all not a good teacher at first, but we can improve day by day. Good luck to you and hope you enjoy your trips to Asia.
Nina Nichols
February 18, 2019I might just be interested to go back teaching again in Asia. lol. It was an amazing experience teaching in international schools in Jakarta and the Philippines. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Vietnam and I wish to experience another year of teaching there!
Mai Van
February 18, 2019wow, great. Jakarta and Philippines are 2 great cities to experience too, I would love to visit Philippine as well, in my list ****
Janine Thomas
February 18, 2019I was amused when I was in Vietnam by the number of young people who spoke English really well with an American accent but had never even left the country. I doubt that I have the patience to teach, but it is a great way to travel.
Mai Van
February 18, 2019Yes Jannie, hope you had great time in VN and thank you for support me and my blog. Happy time!!!
The Travel Bunny
February 19, 2019I used to work for an English teaching centre in Romania, but many teachers who came here had previously taught in Asia (and some chose to return and catch longer roots there 🙂 ). I think teaching English comes with a lot of advantages, which is why I’m planning to get CELTA when I move to Paris.
Mai Van
February 20, 2019Yes, totally agree, teaching English comes with a lot of chances of travelling and experiencing new countries. And yes, CELTA would be a great bonus for your CV…
Yukti Agrawal
February 19, 2019Wow, it is always great to travel while doing part-time jobs. Teaching English to non-English speaking native countries is great and it is good that you shared all the details about teaching English in Vietnam.
Mai Van
February 20, 2019Thank you so much for supporting Yukti, yes it is always a great opportunity for English teachers, especially native.
Thelittlelai: Beyond limits
February 19, 2019Thank you so much for sharing this informative post. It has always been my dream Job to teach English in South East Asia, but I haven’t had enough courage to do it. Thank you so much for sharing this, as this is a great help for me.
Mai Van
February 20, 2019Thank you Thelittlelai. yes go ahead and apply for teaching in Asia, there are many schools and centers, I believe you can find a good one. Goodluck!!