tefljob.net is a leading recruitment agency that connects foreign teachers with schools and language centers across Vietnam. After COVID-19, to better support foreign teachers, the company also provides essential support services, including visa applications, work permits, accommodation assistance, and even driving motorbike licenses to settle in seamlessly.
To constantly improve services, tefljob.net created a survey for foreign teachers with 20 questions about job experience. There were more than 50 foreign teachers participating in the survey in Dec 2024. The results showed numerous challenges they encountered, such as differences in teaching methods, working conditions, visa procedures, and employment contracts. Below are the results.
Teaching Methods and Cultural Differences
- 36% reported that Vietnamese students rarely participated in discussions or debates (for the option: “Students being passive in the classroom”). Teachers struggled to engage students in lessons.
- 60% noted that the curriculum focuses heavily on grammar rather than practical communication (for the option: “Focus on grammar rather than practical communication”).
- 50% cited a lack of teaching aids as a major barrier (chosen for the option: “You had difficulties in teaching because of the lack of teaching aids in classes”).
Teacher’s feedback: “I try to ask questions to get students involved, but most of them just sit and take notes. This greatly reduces the effectiveness of modern teaching methods.” – A Canadian teacher shared.
Solutions:
- Teachers should ask for training sessions on Vietnam’s education system.
- Always ask about the schools to check if they can supply enough teaching aids.
- Scanning carefully the school’s curriculum to make the right preparation for lessons to balance theory and practical learning.
Job Location and Living Environment
- 41.9% of teachers expressed concerns about working conditions (in question 4: “Working conditions”).
- 32.3% faced difficulties with transportation and public transit (in question 4: “Traffic and transportation”).
- 9.1% struggled with cultural differences in workplace communication (for the option of Question 1: “Building relationships with colleagues”).
- 18.2% found it difficult to adapt to the living environment in Vietnam (for the option of Question 1: “Adapting to the local living environment”).
Teacher’s feedback: “I didn’t expect my school to be so far from the city center. Commuting every day is a challenge, especially with traffic conditions that are so different from my home country.” – An English teacher shared.
Solutions:
- Try to find suitable accommodation near the school
- Do not forget to ask about the teaching location in the interview (the distance, transport, traveling fee…)
- Ask about the living environment in the area you will locate in the interview
Legal Procedures and Employment Contracts
- 33.5% of teachers found the visa and work permit process overly complicated (for the option of question 7: “Complicated visa and work permit process”).
- 43.5% felt that employment contracts lacked transparency (Question 5, section II).
- 26.7% were disappointed that their actual salary did not match their initial expectations (Survey Question 7: “Mismatch between job expectations and reality”).
Teacher’s feedback: “I thought that once I got the job, everything would be easier. But the paperwork was overwhelming and took months to complete.” – A teacher from the U.S. stated.
Solutions:
- Try to clear the support for visa applications, work permits, and temporary residence cards and all have to be mentioned in the contract
- Ensure to understand all the terms of your rights before signing.
- Search for information about the benefits and salary from groups on Facebook to negotiate better in the interview
Preference for Native English Teachers
- 43.3% of teachers noted that employers prioritize native English speakers (Question 10 in section II”).
Teacher’s thoughts: “I have the qualifications and experience, yet I was overlooked simply because I am not a native English speaker. This feels unfair.” – A Filipino teacher shared.
Solutions:
- Scanning the job information carefully before applying
- Try to search from other Facebook groups
- Think about other subjects for your teaching, Maths, Literature, P.E, Music, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC…
Technology in applying for a job
- 33.3% of teachers preferred in-person interviews over online ones (Survey Question 8: “What type of interview did you choose with tefljob.net?”).
- 33.3% wanted more employer support throughout the hiring process (Survey Question 9: “Which one will improve your teaching experience in Vietnam?”).
Teacher’s feedback: “Online interviews don’t fully showcase my abilities. If I had a face-to-face session, I believe the outcome would have been different.” – An Australian applicant shared.
Solutions:
- Online interviews are set up for foreign teachers living far away. Ask for an online demo teaching if possible. This is a place to show off your talent.
- If you want to relocate for a job, you can set up an online interview for detailed information, and move to their site to do the demo teaching, first for the job, second for other conditions
Conclusion
tefljob.net appreciates your feedback throughout the survey. If you have any more feedback, please let us know. We are constantly improving our services, so your input is valuable. tefljob.net is making it easier for foreign teachers to access teaching opportunities in Vietnam. If you are a teacher looking for a job or you need any other services such as visa, accommodation, and motorbike driving license, let tefljob.net be your trusted partner.