Teaching Jobs in Vietnam

Teaching Placement Overview

Teaching Placements

There are two main types of schools that we place people with in Vietnam: Public Schools and Private Language Centers.

Private Language centers operate throughout the year. The public school year runs from September to May. The peak hiring time is in August for both school types.

Public school placements are possible outside of this time period but chances are reduced after September.

Private Language Centers

Private language centers are where students go to learn English after school and at weekends. As a result, language center teachers primarily work in the evenings and on weekends, leaving their daytimes free.

Language centers typically offer high tech facilities and have lots of resources for teaching and lesson planning. They offer a well-supported working environment to new teachers. Most language centers we work with are large companies with many different branches all over Vietnam. Some of the advantages of language center teaching are:

• Class sizes tend to be around 15 students per class
• Teachers have access to internal systems where they can share lesson plans
• There are many books and resources to help plan for classes
• Classrooms are well equipped
• Teaching in the afternoons and evenings, and also on the weekends, 2 days off (not consecutive in
  some cases) *
• There is generally a Vietnamese assistant teacher to assist in the language school classes

* While two days off per week is the norm, sometimes, in the first month or two, teachers are scheduled to work 6 days but this can be smoothed out after being there for a bit. They may just be scheduled 6 days to start to get enough hours for a full-time contract.

Public Schools

Public schools are where students go for their day to day schooling.

Many public schools contract with language centers to have foreign teachers sent to their school.

Teachers who work in public schools typically teach at 2 – 3 different public schools during the week to fill up their schedules. Public school teaching is Monday to Friday during the day.

Public schools tend to have larger class sizes and fewer resources but teachers are able to reach a wider demographic of students. Public school key points include:

• There are 9 month and one-year contracts to work in public schools
• Working hours are typically in mornings and afternoons, from Monday to Friday
• Hours are around 20-25 per week but important to note that there may be gaps in the middle of the day. For example, a teacher might teach from 10AM to 12PM, then have a gap until 4PM, and then teach from 4PM to 7PM
• There are typically 40-50 students per class at the public schools
• There is typically a Vietnamese teaching assistant in the class but this is not guaranteed

Teachers will most likely be teaching either solely at a language center or at a public school. However, Mixed contracts are occasionally the only possibility.

It may be the case that teachers will be required to work in both school settings as part of their contract.

We can usually accommodate preferences on which type of school if a candidate wants to be in a major city. Language centers recruit throughout the year, public school recruiting is focused around September. There may also be public school positions availability sporadically throughout the year.

Working Hours

Private Language Centers (one year and four month contracts) Teaching in the afternoons and evenings, and also on the weekends, 2 days off (not consecutive in some cases).

Public schools (mainly 9-month contracts September to May): Mornings and afternoons Monday through Friday.

15-25 teaching hours: May fluctuate from week to week

Vacation leave is possible, providing appropriate notice is given. The amount of leave allowed, when it can be taken, and whether it is paid or unpaid will vary depending on the type of school, length the participant is staying, and contract offered.

Taxes

All participants will pay taxes in Vietnam. If a participant signs a one-year contract, their taxes will be 20% for the first month or two, until the receive their work permit and can establish residence.

Then they will be taxed at 10-14%. However, if they leave their contract early, they may be retroactively taxed at 20%, which will be taken out of their last pay check.

School Break Period

There are no extended school breaks associated with these placements. There may be short times off, but as language schools operate all year long, there is no extended period of school recess. There is likely to be time off during the Tet holiday in February.

Transportation from accommodation to work

Not provided by schools, though some schools will provide a travel stipend. Most people rent scooters.

What are the age groups you will be teaching?

Mixed ages but mainly children.

After contract can you still travel in the country or do you need to be out?

You can stay as long as you like as long as you have a job and you maintain a legal Visa status. It is important to check with your school on how long you have. Most schools cancel work permits and visas within a month of a teacher leaving.

Can one renew working contract and visa without leaving the country?

Yes

Medical services and insurance?

Insurance coverage differs between schools. Some schools and contracts provide it whilst others do not. Some schools require that the teacher pass probation first before becoming eligible for paid insurance but they also offer the teacher to buy their own insurance through the same provider.

Dress code for teaching?

Smart. Typically collar shirts for men and conservative dress for women.

What is the level of English and behavior of students?

This will vary from student to student, however, there is typically beginner knowledge of English throughout the country. You should expect to teach students of all ages (though they will mostly be children). Vietnamese students are generally well behaved, at least compared with children in the West.

What curriculum will they follow at school?

Your school will provide and train you on their specific curriculum. The schools have specific curriculums and curriculum support.

Do your colleagues speak English?

Yes.

What are the chances of schools deducting security money? And how does this work?

This is very rare and unlikely to happen. However, many schools pay teachers on the end of the first week of the following month. That provides a small bit of security for the school if you leave abruptly without notice.

Do you get paid overtime?

Yes, in most cases.

What are the chances of getting a salary increase?

Quite high for your second contract but your salary is typically fixed for your contract duration. But there might be opportunities for overtime work.

When are the school holidays?

As Language centers are open year round you will not share the usual school holidays as you would in Public schools. Instead, participants may take vacation leave and take public holidays.

However, all language centers do close for the Tet Holiday which usually last for 7-10 days at the beginning of February.

The following costs make up the program fee and are payable to TravelBud before you head over to Teach English in Vietnam.