Vietnam: The Perfect Destination for TEFL Teachers
Find out how Vietnam is the perfect destination for TEFL teachers, from its welcoming locals to its stunning landscapes and unique cuisine.
Vietnam
Vietnam & Cambodia – COVID-19 Update
Vietnam and Cambodia continue to be extremely sought-after countries for people moving abroad! Boasting great salaries and a low cost of living, many expats are drawn each year to south east Asia. With part time teaching hours you’ll have lots of spare time (and cash!) to explore the country and dive right in to the wonders that Vietnam and Cambodia have to offer! Until recent times, obtaining a visa and travelling to Asia was a very straightforward process. Since COVID-19 struck, the borders to both countries closed and are still currently shut to all foreign visitors. This situation is likely to remain in place until early 2021. For this reason, we can only accept applications to both locations during 2020 if you’re already on the ground in Asia! If you’re currently in Vietnam or Cambodia and you’re wanting to begin your teaching career, please do get in touch and we can get you started! The demand for TEFL teachers has not changed, if anything, it has increased with the lack of foreign teachers in-country. Class sizes have reduced to accommodate safety measures, which has in turn increased class timetables. Apply for your TEFL course in Vietnam or Cambodia! For all potential applicants, we recommend that you apply for 2021 programs as soon as you’re ready to! Since borders closed, we’ve begun the task of deferring trainees to 2021 start dates if their travel plans were affected this year. Meaning courses are already filling fast for January onwards! Which at this time of year is quite unprecedented. Usually programs close 1-2 months before the start date, however this will be a lot sooner! Check out the Vietnam and Cambodia TEFL programs online, and apply ASAP to avoid disappointment! You can get in touch with us at any time for more information. Be sure to keep an eye on our social media channels also for updates.
Movies that give you wanderlust
Movies have the power to transport us to a different world, without even moving from the couch. If you’re looking for the next destination, or stuck in a rut and hoping to get out, get some popcorn, settle in and get inspired for your next adventure! Here are the movies that give you wanderlust: Movies to inspire travel through Europe Thinking on travelling to Europe? These movies will give you a great insight into various European cities: Midnight in Paris, set in the French capital, provides you with a view of the most emblematic areas in Paris. Woody Allen’s film begins in Monet’s Garden, home of impressionist painter Claude Monet and through venue des Camoens and its view of the Eiffel Tower to the double-decker Pont Bir Hakeim, among others. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, Volver, is a portrait of Madrid told through the lives of three different women. This movie will take you into authentic Spanish neighborhoods and to different regions of Spain. The Great Beauty, set in Rome and premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, offers a magical tour of the city, courtesy of its director Paolo Sorrentino. Some of the locations that stand out in the movie include Via Veneto, monument Lungo Tevere, 5-hectare public park Parco Degli Acquedotti and Villa del Priorato, a fortified monastery. Movies that inspire travel through South America If a more relaxed vibe is your thing and you feel like exploring South America, you would be amazed by 180º South, directed by Chris Malloy who is a former professional surfer. This film narrates the journey of adventurer Jeff Johnson as he travels from California to Patagonia. Both a road trip movie and an insight into the history of the region, you’ll get a glimpse at places like Easter Island, some parts of Mexico and Chile. Another great option is About Us, a 2016 Costa Rican movie selected as one of the Best Foreign Language Films at the 89th Academy Awards. Director Hernán Jiménez portrays the story of a young couple that decides to travel to Santa Teresa de Cóbano, a stunning beach in Costa Rica. Movies that inspire travel through Asia To complete the list and give you a taste of Asia, here are some great movies to give you wanderlust: Indochine, directed by Régis Wargnier, is a movie that inspired thousands to pack their bags, get a ticket and travel to Vietnam. This romantic movie was shot mainly in Imperial City, Hue, Ha Long and Ninh Binh in Vietnam. If you are more into thrillers Wish You Were Here, should jump to the top of your to-watch list. Kieran Darcy-Smith recreates a travel film that follows four friends on holiday to Cambodia’s coastal area of Sihanoukville. Although the movie plot was written with the thriller-lovers in mind, the beach shots are amazing! Did any of the movies above inspire you? Do you feel like planning a trip to Europe, South America or Asia? We can help with choosing your perfect destinations! Check out our TEFL Courses abroad to get more detailed info about these locations and many more! Did we miss any of the movies that inspired you to travel? Follow us on Facebook to comment on the ones that we should add to this list!
3 benefits of moving to a new country
We’ve all been there; on the edge of making a decision that will change your life forever. Deciding whether or not to move to live in a new country is definitely one of these decisions but we firmly believe that it will end up being one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. In this blog we give you 3 reasons why moving to a new country is the right choice. Read on to find out more… Boosting your confidence levels The process of moving to a new country is a test in itself! The very fact that you are considering moving to take guts and it’s a great challenge and opportunity for self-development and growth. You will gain experience in tackling different situations and issues to do with adapting to changes, the culture and also maybe the language. You’ll learn to think on your feet and become more self-reliant and trust your own decisions. All this means that you’ll become more confident and realize that you’re capable of far more than you think! Learning a new language Another advantage of moving to a new country is that it can lead to you learning a new language. Whether you want to learn a language just for fun or want to improve your language skills for better career opportunities, nothing forces you to improve like having to survive living in a new country. Having to ask for the time, renting an apartment, getting used to the transport systems and new food vocabulary; all these are things that will get you out your comfort zone and help you learn the language by doing, not just by learning! Plus, you’re more likely to retain the knowledge more than just learning in a local classroom. Learning a new language also enhances your ability to make decisions, multitask and it even helps sharpen your mind! This will also give you a big advantage if you’re job hunting in the future. Gives you a new perspective You will meet people from somewhere different, with a different outlook on life and you’ll begin to see and understand different ways of thinking about things. If you move to a large city, you’ll meet people from all over the world, whereas if you move somewhere more compact, you’ll get an authentically local experience. Whichever destination you choose, you’ll be forced out of your comfort zone. Often times it can help discover the things that really matter to you and therefore become a much more balanced person. Each country individually will help you improve in a different way depending on their culture and way of seeing things. Find out which TEFL destination suits you best!
Top 5 carnivals in the world
Are you spending some time abroad traveling or teaching English and are curious about the season of carnivals? TEFL Connect has tons of info to help you out! Carnivals have a western Christian and Greek orthodox origin and throughout the history they’ve migrated to different parts of the world, evolving and taking on more and more local traits and traditions. The main festivities usually take place during February or early March. It involves street parties, parades, competitions and other entertainments. A lot of locals wear costumes and masks turning the week of carnival in a festival of colours. No wonder, that we at TEFL Connect highly recommend you to visit your local carnival if you’re teaching English abroad. Here we present our top 5 not to miss, and the best thing is that you can easily get to at least one of them from all of our TEFL Course Destinations: Venice Carnival Italy This Italian Carnival lasts for 10 days and is one of the oldest in the world. It’s said that it started after a victory of the Republic of Venice against the patriarch of Achillea in 1162. They went out on the streets to dance and celebrate the victory, thus starting the tradition. Masks are very important in this celebration, and can you think of any other city more famous for its masks, than Venice? They are made of various different materials, like cloths, leather, porcelain or even pieces made using the original glass technique. Venice is also one of the most romantic destinations. During the carnival they have the Grand Venice Balls which makes it a chosen destination for couples wanting to enjoy this beautiful celebration. If you’re in Rome, Venice is just a 3.5h train ride or an hour flight away from Venice. It’s even quicker to get there from Florence. But even if you’re not in Italy, there are dozens of flights that can bring you there in about two hours from all around Europe. Rio de Janeiro Brazil It’s considered the biggest carnival in the world with around 2 million people on the street every day. Many of the samba schools from around the country participate in the event. They put together choreography and parade on the streets, often getting the crowd to participate with them. Music and dance are very important for this celebration. Rio de Janeiro definitely has the most colorful, flashiest costumes and the best dance moves. Something to visit at least once in a lifetime for sure! Just remember that you might need to get tickets to some of the events. It’s quite a trip to Rio from anywhere in the world, but if you’re doing a TEFL Course in Costa Rica or Argentina you’ll get there in no time! You can also use carnival as a final point if you’re planning a bigger trip. Notting Hill Carnival England It’s the biggest one in Europe that welcomes more than 2 million people in a festivity to celebrate the Caribbean culture. This tradition started in 1966 and continues every year after it. The London School of Samba and the Paraiso School of Samba are the ones responsible for bringing this party to the streets of Notting Hill. This carnival is a mixture of music and more than 40 points where people can stop to hear good music and try some Caribbean dishes! This is also the only carnival on our list that takes place in August instead of February/March. On the bright side, this means you can fit two carnivals in your year abroad teaching English in Europe. Our Madrid course has especially good flight connections with low-cost airlines, like Ryanair! Mardi Gras New Orleans, USA New Orleans hosts the biggest carnival in the US. During this event the streets are filled with music and the parades are dedicated to mythological characters such as Edimião, Orfeu, Bacchus and King Zulu. There’s nothing like a mystical atmosphere of New Orleans French quarters and you can experience it in its best and brightest. Although a lot of the events are happening after it gets dark and city fills with lights, this is also a family event so it’s common to see families enjoying a nice picnic around the Mississippi River. This festivity gathers around 250.000 people on the streets and is something truly worth a trip. Get your tickets in advance to make the most of it. Carnivals of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Spain This carnival is the second biggest one in the world after the one in Rio de Janeiro and it’s right in Europe on the Island of eternal spring, doesn’t it sound amazing? Every year the Canary Islands get ready for its biggest celebration of the year. They even broke a world record in 1987 with the biggest open-air concert with more than 250.000 people, so you can easily become part of history the next time they decide to do something as grand. Every year different people present themselves for the title of Carnival Queen. This is a very colorful spectacle with the most unusual costumes! There is also a competition where adults and children compete against their peers to see who is the most eloquent. These usually happen before the carnival starts, but you’ll see the winners during the parades. After the Queen’s coronation, the party starts with various activities and everyone can participate! If you’re teaching English in Spain after one of our courses there, add this to your bucket list. Ryanair and Iberia Express (popular low-cost airlines) will have plane tickets for about 30-40 euro if you buy in advance and you don’t need to pay for entrance tickets once the main carnival starts. Do you know any other countries with great carnivals that are on your travel list? Follow us on Facebook and let us know of your favorites! Also, be sure to check all of our TEFL destinations to choose the one that you’ll enjoy the most!
Which is the right TEFL destination for you?
There are 195 countries in the world… so where on Earth to begin your English teaching journey and what your ideal TEFL destination would be, quite literally?! There’s a huge demand worldwide for TEFL teachers, we know the best places to earn your TEFL certification, with plenty of job opportunities. So you can teach English abroad, for as long as your heart desires! You can pretty much rule out native English speaking countries. There are a few TEFL/ESL jobs out there, but competition is stiff and opportunities few and far between. After putting these nations to one side, you’re still left with global possibilities! Now all you need to do, is figure out what’s more important to you; salary, sunshine, a fast-paced environment, lush green parks, learning a new language… the list goes on! It’s no secret, jobs in Asia pay around double your living costs each month. So if you’re looking to save cash for another adventure, or pay off some of your student loan Thailand or Cambodia are great options. Not only that, both countries are full to bursting with places to go, and experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime. If vitamin D is your thing, Madrid and Barcelona, are some examples of the sunnier climates in Europe! Madrid alone boasts over 300 hours of sunshine per year. Coupled with green parks, super friendly locals and foodie heaven, it’s not hard to see why so many students choose Spain as their starting point! Florence and Prague house some of the oldest and most iconic landmarks in the world.. Imagine exploring the romantic art houses in Florence after a morning of teaching, then relaxing into the evening with the most delicious wine and pizza.. Explore a colonial castle on your way to the vibrant city centre in Prague, it’s medieval meets modernism at it’s finest! If a more relaxed vibe is your thing, where you can be at one with nature and make friends with the warm people of Latin America; there’s no contest! Costa Rica and Argentina will fill your soul with endless experiences and adventure. You’ll never earn megabucks, however you’ll always earn enough salary to live comfortably and explore your surroundings with no worries. Ultimately, no one can tell you where your spirit country is! Or where your journey should begin. Get in touch with so we could help point you in the right direction – to ultimately decide which TEFL destination is right for you!
Teaching English without a degree
Did you know you could work as a TEFL teacher without a degree? A common misconception people make with TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) is that unless they are qualified teachers with a Bachelor’s degree they will not qualify for a job teaching English abroad. Maybe you only got as far as graduating high school, some college, or no further education at all. In that case, we have great news, you absolutely can earn money teaching English without a degree! Of course, this depends largely on the country, however. In some countries it is easy to find a job with just a quality TEFL certificate, whereas in others it would be very difficult to find work without a university degree or even a Master’s degree. We have made a series of blogs about the different continents where teaching English is the most popular so you can make your choice with all the information necessary. Experience is key Our TEFL partners look for more than just good grades and degrees, you are also assessed on your work experience and life experience. Any previous professional experience, however big or small, counts! Your TEFL Certificate will open doors You’ll want to find a TEFL program in the country where you will be teaching (at least initially). Each of our chosen TEFL providers knows everything there is to know about finding work where they’re located and many have fast-track application processes for jobs due to the quality of their courses and reputation in the local market. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of jobs for teachers without a Bachelor’s degree. You just need to know where to look. TEACHING TEFL IN ASIA WITHOUT A DEGREE TEACHING TEFL IN EUROPE WITHOUT A DEGREE TEACHING TEFL IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA WITHOUT A DEGREE Irrespective of where you want to ultimately teach, you can take any of the TEFL courses we offer as these are internationally recognized, accredited, and will ensure you can teach for life – wherever you are in the world! Contact us for more information.
Teaching TEFL in Asia without a degree
Did you know you could teach TEFL in Asia without a degree? Teaching English a Foreign language is not just for graduates, you can also enter into the world of teaching with just your TEFL Certificate. Many people without a degree are looking to gain life and professional experience abroad. Teaching English abroad is one of the most popular ways to achieve this. Ultimately, in Asia generally all comes down to visas and work permits, which is where challenges can sometimes lie. For instance, we wouldn’t advise you seeking a TEFL course and job in China, without a Bachelor’s degree. They have are not able to grant work permits or visas for TEFL teachers without a degree, and so it would be impossible to work in China without a degree if you needed a visa to live and work there. Where can I teach English in Asia? There are some countries where it’s easier to teach English without a degree: Vietnam or Cambodia, for example. Around half or more of all people working as TEFL teachers in Vietnam currently do not possess a Bachelor’s degree. You will have to be slightly more open to job locations and salary vs a native English speaker with a degree, however, we can assure you, you will still be earning over double your living costs each month. Moreover, you will have enough spare cash to explore Asia freely, in your spare time. Thailand is also a good option where teachers usually work in language centers, summer camps, or online tutoring. Our TEFL training partner actually has strong connections with online teaching opportunities in Thailand, so you will be able to work flexibly around your sightseeing and travel plans! All whilst being paid. As you can see, there are plenty of jobs and opportunities to teach English abroad, without a Bachelor’s degree, you just need to know where to look! To apply simply click here!
Teaching English as a non-native speaker
“Can I teach English abroad, even though I am a non-native?” is something we at TEFL Connect get asked time and time again. Well, in short the answer is yes! Absolutely! Teaching English as a non-native speaker is practiced all over the world and in many cases they make some of the best teachers of English as a Foreign Language. Why do non-native speakers make great English teachers? Well, you’ve already learnt English so you know exactly what the deal is when it comes to studying and learning the complexities of the English language. You’ll understand the challenges. The advantage you’ll have over a native English speaker is that you, yourself, have learned English as a second language. Meaning you already have the inside scoop on what challenges your students may be facing! You’ll have knowledge of sentence structure, effective ways of communicating ideas, grammar and so much more! This will often make you a more compassionate teacher since you’ve been in your student’s shoes. Will I struggle to get a TEFL certificate as a non-native speaker? Usually, you will have to pass an interview and maybe even a written grammar test to get onto a TEFL course if you’re non-native. Once you’re on, there are no additional TEFL modules, tests or exams to go through. You will have to pass the TEFL course just like everyone else! The courses are created so anyone can study TEFL teaching, as long as your level of spoken and written English is good. Will I find work teaching English as a non-native speaker? You’ll find that job opportunities vary by country and continent. If you have a degree you’re guaranteed a job in Vietnam, but in Thailand, you’ll not be able to obtain a working permit without a passport from an English-speaking country. At TEFL Connect we can help guide you as a non-native English speaker as to where you should study your TEFL based on your specific profile so get in touch and ask. There are so many opportunities for you to live and work abroad as an English teacher, so don’t be put off by any myths of ‘you’ll never find work after the TEFL course’ or ‘you won’t get paid to teach teach’ because they’re simply not true! So have faith in yourself and your level of English and pursue your dreams of living and working abroad teaching English. If you’re looking to get your TEFL certificate, contact us and we can help advise you on the best course for you.
Things to know before moving to Vietnam
Many people move to Vietnam because of the low cost of living, great food, and friendly people. Moving to a new city can be stressful and it’s nice to know the important things before the big move. Here are some of the things to know before moving to Vietnam! Bargaining The prices are almost never set in stone in Vietnam. Even before tourists arrived in Vietnam the locals would also bargain between themselves and it’s common for vendors to overcharge or inflate prices when they think they can get more money. One way to avoid the banter is by stating your price and politely walk away if they do not agree. Usually they will call you back and lower the price. Good luck bargaining! Learn the language It is important to know a few phrases before you move to a new country. Here are a few phrases in Vietnamese! Hello: Xin chao! (sin chow!) Goodbye: Tam biet Thank you: Xin cam on (singahm un) Your welcome: Khong co gi (khom go zee) Yes: Van (vung) No: Khong (knome) Can you help me: Ban giup toi duoc khon (ban soop thoy duc khom) Excuse me/sorry: Xinloi (seen oy) My name is: Tori la (thoy la) If you have any suggestions about things to know before moving to Vietnam, comment on our Facebook page! Living in Vietnam Many expats have flocked to Vietnam in the recent years due to the increase in jobs, safe environment, and low cost of living. There are also many different places to call home in Vietnam. For the people who need the noise of the city, several communities would be perfect. The cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are great places to live and teach. Facebook groups are the most helpful when looking for a place to live. Some reliable groups are Living in Ho Chi Minh City and Expats and Locals in Ho Chi Minh City. The TEFL schools also help new teachers find living accommodations in their city of choice, so there is no need to worry. Transportation The best and most efficient way to get around Vietnam is a motorbike. Embrace this method of transport because it’s the part of the culture in Vietnam. If you are not staying in Vietnam for an extended time, renting a motorbike is an affordable option. If you look around, you can find monthly rentals for as low as $25. There are not many rules of the road other than use common sense and always wear a helmet. If you take the leap and get on a motorbike, watch out for the buses as they have right of way! If you are dreaming of moving to Vietnam, then check out our blog about the top five places to visit in Vietnam.
