Unfortunately, for irrational reasons, it is harder for us to find anyone work who is over the age of 40, as many language centres and schools will not accept anyone above this age. However, if you have teaching experience, a degree, a 120 hour face to face TEFL certificate and are a native speaker, we will gladly apply for jobs on your behalf and if we can’t find you five promising interviews, then we will offer you a full refund for the package. It is also likely that smaller provinces will be more inclined to hire older teachers, as the amount of qualified teachers available in smaller cities is far less.

You don’t need a degree if you come from a native English-speaking country. However, you need to have an internationally accredited TEFL/TESOL certificate.
But to have a work permit in Vietnam you need to have a degree. There are
exemptions sometimes although which is very rare when schools can show that a candidate is suitable for a job despite not having a degree.

Yes, you should not pay for a company to find you a teaching job because a reputable recruitment agency should get a high commission from the schools or language centres which they work with, so there should be no cost for the teacher.

However, we are not a recruitment agency. We are an organisation which helps teachers move to Vietnam. We offer relocation packages which include assistance finding a job, as this will be a huge part of your new life in Vietnam.

As well as job placement for the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh packages we offer other services such as assistance finding a motorbike and free lessons, a reliable mechanic, assistance with accommodation, help applying for visas, professionally written documents on life in Vietnam, lesson plans, a meet and greet city tour, a language exchange, discounted Vietnamese lessons, discounted tours and travel throughout Vietnam and excellent service and support throughout your time here. All of this is provided from people who have lived, taught and travelled extensively throughout Vietnam. So, you are also paying for our experience and expertise, ongoing support and excellent contacts.

Again, you are not paying to get a job, you are paying for an entire relocation package which offers a number of services.

This service is very similar to an “Internship program”, offered by many other internationally recognised companies. However, many “Internship” programs will take a large cut of your salary which is paid by the school and make huge profits- at your expense. I know, because this is what happened to me when I first moved to Vietnam. I do not think this is fair and so want to offer a service where people can get genuine, real help and advice and be given excellent, trustworthy contacts when in Vietnam, without having to sacrifice their hard earned salary.

Teacher’s Friend does not take a penny of your wage. We also do not charge schools or language centres in Vietnam for our service (although we do offer Premium Rates if the schools wish.) We believe that schools and language centres in Vietnam should be entitled to FREE, QUALITY teachers, who will give Vietnamese students the best possible education.

If you have any questions, please contact me at info@teachers-friend.com

A new teacher salary is usually $1200 US per month for around 18 hours per week. Experienced teachers can earn more and there is lots of room for progressing.

It depends. If you sign up with Teacher’s Friend then there the language centres have comprehensive resources- guide books, lesson plans, teacher drives, equipment (balls, bats, bean bags, swat sticks), flashcards, board pens, interactive white boards etc. Bringing stickers from your home country is a great way to get popular with the kids!

In general the pay in public schools is lower than in the language centres and the students are poorer. People in the public schools usually work 8-4pm with a break in-between from Monday to Friday, whereas in the private centres you work three evenings a week plus weekends. In both centres you work about 18-20 hours per week. In the public schools there are about 30-50 kids per class whereas in the language centres the numbers are about 5-20 kids per class. There are way less resources in the public schools, usually just a blackboard, whereas the language centre’s have interactive whiteboards and WIFI/ internet access.

Yes, you can save money in Vietnam depending on your spending habits. I taught about 22 hours a week with a large language centre and then another 10 outside the classroom (which you’re not technically meant to do on a full time contract but everyone does). These extra ten classes were paid at $25 per hour, cash in hand. On this wage I was SAVING about £1000 GBP a month and still going out, eating what I liked (both Western and Vietnamese food) and also I had a gym membership. Not everyone saves that much but they also don’t usually work that many hours either. My boyfriend spent about $800 a month, including accommodation and going out drinking most nights. I would budget for $1000 a month for general living costs.

Hanoi is particularly good for savings because if you have the time/ energy then there are always extra private classes to be taken. If you took on just four extra teaching hours a week, which paid $20 per hour, then you’d be making an extra $320 a month, so you can see how it all starts to add up quite quickly. I did ten extra hours on $25 an hour, so was making an extra $1000 a month…

Getting private classes in HCM is perfectly do-able but slightly harder. Getting private classes in smaller towns is way less likely but you will also be spending a lot less.

So yes, the wage will be absolutely fine, although everyone has different spending habits and living standards. This is based on a house share price of $200 per month for rent. I lived in an apartment with my boyfriend which was $400, but because we split the rent I still only paid $200 per month. If you wanted your own apartment, you’d be looking at $400-500 minimum for rent.

To ride a bike legally in Vietnam you will need a Vietnamese license, regardless of whether you own a motorbike license from your home country or not. To get this, you will need to first pass a written test and then to show your riding ability by completing an obstacle course that usually requires you driving in a figure of eight round some cones and driving slowly in a straight line. The best way to get the license is to find a local who will go with you and translate for you/ write the answers for you in Vietnamese. This can be arranged. You will then have to drive the bike around the cones to prove that you can actually ride. Sounds a little daunting if it’s your first time riding but let’s face it, if you can’t do it, should you be riding on the roads?! The majority of foreigners skip this and ride illegally and risk being fined if stopped by the police. This is rare because most of the police can’t speak English and so avoid stopping Westerners, but the amount of police who can speak English is increasing…

• Firstly and most importantly check that the motorbike is being sold with it’s Blue card (paperwork). Check that the registration number matches the number on the blue card AND the chassis number which will be on the chassis of the bike. (Ask your dealer to show you if you can’t find it). You will find it very difficult to sell your bike without these papers.
• Check the brakes- front and back.
• Check that the horn works- a life saver in Vietnam!
• Make sure the battery works properly and will hold it’s charge
• Check that the lights work and are strong enough- some lights are barely noticeable when switched on!
• Check that the wheels are aligned with the chassis and not bent
• Check the transmission- can you change gears easily?
• Check the suspension- can you see any rust? Is there cracks? Do the wheels wobble or vibrate when riding?
• Although you will want the bike to have an electric start it’s always a good idea to check the kick starter too, in case of emergency
• If you’re buying manual check the gears and the clutch
• Check the tires- do they have enough air?
• Is oil leaking form the bike?
• When you ride, does the bike generally sound OK? If it’s making a weird noise, probably best not to buy it!
• Are the handlebars straight?
• Can you see any cheap repairs? (e.g. something stuck on with black tape?!)
• Is the chain tight?
• Has the engine been replaced? Check for scratches, loose bolts
• Check the electric start- does the bike turn on by pressing the button?!

Then take it for a test drive for at least twenty minutes and go on the highway and get up some speed, this is usually when you may notice problems. Check for any weird noises, strange movements, how easy ad smooth it is to change gear, how quickly the brakes work

In general the students are fun, enthusiastic and very loud but on the whole well behaved, Good classroom management is needed, especially in the public schools. The students have a lot of respect for the teachers and usually shower them with gifts in teachers day and run up to them to give them hgs when they arrive for class.