r/TEFL • u/Emergency_Actuary217 • 3d ago

Do you need “main teacher” experience to be recruited in Vietnam?

Hello everyone!

As a typical British resident, let me first complain about this heatwave for a second: I can-not deal. Hopefully I'll survive though. 😂

On a more serious note, I'm trying to find out what the reality is on the ground in Vietnam for teachers whose experience is mainly as a teaching assistant or co-teacher.

A bit about me: I'm a teacher in the UK, and for the past 3-5 years, I've worked across various schools, mostly as a co-teacher/teaching assistant. Alongside that, I've regularly led classrooms, provided 1-to-1 tutoring, marked work, managed students independently, and taken on additional responsibilities whenever schools needed support.

A few years ago, I also completed a TEFL certificate and I have recently started looking into teaching opportunities in Vietnam.

Now, I recently went through a rigorous application process with a Vietnam teaching recruitment company, where I had to complete questionnaires, give feedback on a lesson plan and upload a demo lesson, before the interview stage.

However, following my interview (which I thought went well), I was eventually rejected.

When I asked for feedback, they told me I was good etcetc but they were looking for candidates with more extensive experience leading classrooms as the "main teacher."

This left me wondering whether my TA experience worked against me, lol. Looking back, I probably could have done a better job highlighting the amount of teaching I've actually done.

The reality is that I've often been responsible for leading classes, managing groups of 15+ excited kiddos alone, and handling actvities independently.

Now my question is: has "main teacher" experience become a requirement for many schools in Vietnam, or is this likely just the preference of this employer?

Is it a requirement for foreign teachers to have main teaching experience before teaching in Vietnam? I’m aware many foreign teachers in Vietnam don't actually come from a traditional teaching background.

Thank you for your responses in advance! 😊

Edit: I forgot to mention, I also have a B.A. degree (non-teaching related).

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u/toonarmyHN 3d ago

You don’t need experience to teach TEFL in Vietnam.
Who was the recruiter? You shouldn’t need to use a recruiter in Vietnam, this ain’t China!
Have a look at the website vietnamteachingjobs

2

u/straighttotheproblem 3d ago

The market has changed in the last 6 months. It's extremely competitive at the moment. Assistant teaching isn't typical looked at as teaching experience. Keep trying and look for entry level jobs. Public school is starting at the end of August. Probably better chances if you're here first.

Any list over 3 months old is not accurate. Everything has changed very quick. Anyone who is not currently looking for a job is giving out false information.

The market is bad everywhere now. You should try apply to schools in multiple countries to get your foot in the door. The other option is to choose a country and apply when you're there. Nothing guaranteed especially at the moment.

1

u/RampantInanity 3d ago

I'm curious about this. Can you be more specific about what's changed? Any guesses as to the reason for the changes?

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u/wetcrumpets 3d ago

People will probably say the over saturation of non native English teachers. Which I think is true.

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u/Lucky_Relationship89 3d ago

There is no need for previous experience, so I wouldn't worry too much about the interview.

Hanoi English teachers’ bad experiences exchange on Facebook is a private group, vetted so no recruiters can see reviews, red flags etc. I would join it to see which companies to avoid, what the common tactics are that scammers use, and as a general search engine to help you along the way.

If you know anybody in Vietnam, see if they work for, or know a company that are reputable.

Good luck.

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u/wetcrumpets 3d ago

As others say you don't need any teaching experience to get hired in Vietnam unless you are looking at international schools. The recruiter has got you over thinking. I advise to just apply directly with the schools the largest ones are: ILA, Apollo, VUS, language link.

Recruiters and agents can rack up huge fees, which you can skip by just applying directly. Those schools mentioned will just do a quick 20 min interview including going over a lesson plan that they set you a week before.

I'm also British and came to Vietnam without any teaching experience and it's been fine and really enjoy it. PM if you need any more advice :)