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Share on FaceBookThe Global Volunteer Network currently has teaching opportunities available in Vietnam. Volunteers will have the chance to teach English and other subjects such as French, or Environmental awareness at Universities, Colleges, and Language Centers. The programs are based Da Nang and Tuy Hoa.
Program Locations
Da Nang is now Vietnam's third largest city, located on the banks of the Han River. It is an hour's flight from Vietnam's major International Airports: Ho Chi Minh (in the south) and Hanoi (in the north). Famous landmarks in Da Nang include China Beach, the Marble Mountains, and the Museum of Cham Sculpture.
Tuy Hoa is the capital of Phu Yen province which is located 100km north of Nha Trang and 400 km south of Da Nang. It is famous with beautiful landscape with lots of the hills and beaches.
University Teaching Program
Volunteers are needed to help students improve their English which will improve future employment opportunities. University Programs are allocated in the center of Da Nang Coastal City, 03 km from Indochina Beach, 20 Km from Hoi An (Unesco World heritage) and 100 Km from Hue City (Unesco World heritage).
Volunteers will have a chance to work in the following Universities:
At Da Nang University (UD) volunteers will be working with teachers from the Department of English to provide lessons in conversation, listening, and cross cultural communication (American/British Cultural) to students from College of Foreign Language, College of Economics, and College of Technology. The students in these classes are often teachers and those who want to improve their English skills to work in translation and interpretation. There are also many students from local businesses and government in Da Nang city.
Duy Tan University (DTU) is a private, non-profit educational institution located in central Da Nang, with 7000 students. Duy Tan University is making a considerable contribution to the socio-economic development of Vietnam. Volunteers can contribute by teaching in the following disciplines: English for English Major Students (pronunciation, speaking, writing, culture, and literature), English for Non-English Major Students (communication skills, entrepreneurial skills, international marketing and finance, and tourism management), and English for Lecturers and Staff, English for IT Lecturers and Students (English for computer networks, English for programming, networking administration training, and IT support).
Teaching French: We currently have opportunities for French speaking volunteers to teach classes at Da Nang University. The Da Nang University French Department has 15 teachers and 300 students and offers majors in Translation and French Teaching. Volunteers in the French Program are required to help students in French speaking, writing, listening and cultural studies.
Please note that volunteers in the University program are not required to be a Teacher or have any previous teaching experience. All we ask is that you give 100% effort and enthusiasm to all that you do with the students.
College Teaching Program
Volunteers help teach English to children and students at high schools, colleges and language centers in Tuy Hoa. Tuy Hoa city centre is only 1 km from the wonderful beaches of the South East coast. Volunteers will be accommodated in a guest house. The house is just 300m from the best beach in the city. There are many Cham tower ruins to visit in the city and a large number of locals still belong to the Cham race. The city population is roughly 100,000 people. There are not many westerners in the city, so you will experience the real Vietnam.
Our partner in Vietnam has a partnership with a local organization, The Phu Yen Union of Friendship Organization to place international volunteers to the following placements:
Tuy Hoa Industrial College: The College has enrolled over 7,000 students coming from poor rural and highland areas in Vietnam. The College offers students courses in Electronics, IT (Information Technology), Geology, Finance and Banking, and Chemical and Mechanical Engineering. The College would like to have international volunteers to help with the following teaching program:
- English Teaching: English proficiency is considered a valuable asset for students. It will improve their future employment opportunities. Volunteers are expected to help the Vietnamese native English teachers to teach correct pronunciation, English conversational skills and some technical terms for accounting; Geology; Finance; Chemistry; IT, Economics and Mechanism. Classes are scheduled every day from Mon to Fri.
Morning session from 8:30 to 11:00; afternoon session from 14:00 to 17:00. In addition to the subects offered by the College, GVN is hoping to run some supplementary programs, including:
- Environmental Awareness program: The Tuy Hoa community has been affected by a variety of environmental issues including landslides and contaminated water. This program aims to provide them with a greater understanding of environmental problems that they face now and will face in the future.
- Community Service and Volunteerism Awareness Program: The College would like GVN to run a program explaining to students the reasons people volunteer because the idea of overseas volunteering is very unfamiliar to them. The program would also discuss the value, and promote the idea, of volunteering within your local community.
The two programs above are optional and very broad in scope. GVN is hoping to attract volunteers who have a passion for these subjects, or even volunteers who are seeking to initiate a new project. The College is always very supportive and receptive of any contributions made by volunteers. Please note, these are supplementary programs which are run in addition to the teaching English schedule. Volunteers are required to plan lecture and presentations themselves.
Duy Tan College: Volunteers help teach English to children and students at high schools and language centers in Tuy Hoa. The high school has an enrollment of over 1,000 young students aged from 15 to 18 in Tuy Hoa community. English is one of the important subjects at the school. However, the Vietnamese native English teachers find it struggling to teach correct pronunciation and English conversational skills to their students. There is a great need for English native speakers to help them with their teaching programs in those two areas. Classes are scheduled mostly in the morning from Monday to Friday.
About Vietnam
Full country name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Area: 329,566 sq km
Population: 86.1 million
Capital City: Hanoi (pop 3.5 million)
People: 84% ethnic Vietnamese, 2% ethnic Chinese, also Khmers, Chams (a remnant of the once-great Indianised Champa Kingdom) and members of over 50 ethnolinguistic groups (also known as Montagnards, 'highlanders' in French)
Language: Vietnamese, Russian, French, Chinese, English
Religion: Buddhism is the principal religion but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Caodaists, Muslim and Christian minorities
Government: Communist state
Major Industries: Rice, rubber, food processing, sugar, textiles, chemicals, peanuts, bananas, poultry, fish, cashews
Major Trading Partners: China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand
© Copyright 2008 Lonely Planet Publications. All rights reserved. Used with permission. www.lonelyplanet.com
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Program Requirements
Requirements for teaching in Vietnam:
- be 18 years or older
- have no health problems
- be enthusiastic and motivated
- be a native speaker of English (volunteers must be from Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, UK, USA, or New Zealand)
- have a college degree or a university degree
The Application Process
Your application process is free and seamless, and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organisations that allow you to transfer your application fee to another program at no extra cost.
Communication & Support:
Throughout the process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.
Program Schedule
You can start your placement on the 1st or 15th of each month.
Volunteers can participate in this program from 2 weeks to 5 months.
Most of the schools are open throughout the year, except during the Tet Holiday (in 2010, the Tet holiday runs from the 10th of February for 7 to 10 days), and the summer holiday which runs for two weeks between late July and early August. While volunteers will be able to volunteer during these times, we don't recommend one month stays in February, as your teaching time will be reduced.
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Program Cost
A US$350 application fee (fully transferable) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.
Your application fee includes the following benefits:
- Personal Staff Support
- Your Program Guide
- Your Fundraising Guide and Software
- Access to Your Own Online Journal
- Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
- Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares
Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the program is:
- Cost for 2 weeks - US $697
- Cost for 1 month - US $997
- Cost for 6 weeks - US $1242
- Cost for 2 months - US $1637
- Cost for 10 weeks - US $1897
- Cost for 3 months - US $2287
- Cost for 14 weeks - US $2517
- Cost for 4 months - US $2907
- Cost for 18 weeks - US $3177
- Cost for 5 months - US $3637
The in-country fee covers administrative charge, placement arrangement, accommodation, food, transportation for volunteers, and supervision.
The other costs you will need to meet are your flights (international and a domestic flight to Da Nang), visa, shots, travel insurance, and corresponding airport departure taxes. There may also be minor travel and accommodation expenses at the beginning and end of your program.
Apply NowWe have compiled a list of frequently asked questions which we receive at the GVN inbox. This is a great place to start if you have questions about Global Volunteer Network and our placement process. This information should answer the majority of questions you may have.
What is the climate like in Vietnam?
What kind of volunteer work is available?
What are we required to teach?
Tell me more about flying into Da Nang
When do I need to start the program?
Tell me more about the accommodation?
Can I bring my family/children to this program with me?
How does GVN choose volunteers for this program?
Do you make provision for vegetarians?
What age do I need to be to volunteer?
What immunizations/vaccines will I need?
Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer?
Can I learn Vietnamese during my teaching period?
Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering?
Are there more expenses once I arrive?
How safe is it to volunteer in Vietnam?
How many volunteers are there on site at the same time?
What resources are available for teaching when I'm volunteering? Do I need to bring my own?
Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement?
Question not covered here?
Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please ask us a question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours).
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Don't just take our word for it, hear what previous volunteers have to say out the program.
Volunteer Diaries
We would like to thank these volunteers for taking the time to write about some of their experiences in Vietnam.
Teaching Program
Volunteer Feedback
Brenda Galvin
"Excellent information was given and I felt very safe and sure about what I was doing and where and when I would be collected. Also, the reminders were fantastic about all the various things that needed to be done prior to going. The information flow from both sources was excellent."
Molly
"Be prepared to be surrounded by friendly, inquisitive people who are eager to practise their English. Many personal questions will be asked and also be prepared to refuse many offers of coffee and meals. Vietnam is a beautiful country filled with many good people, but it is very different to Western cultures and you need to be open to new experiences."
David
"My best advice would be to jump in wholeheartedly - eat new foods, take language lessons, go on crazy motor-bike rides, and be willing to try nearly anything.
In addition, especially for those who are traveling to Asia for the first time, keep an open mind. Things may be quite different than life at home, so work hard to understand Vietnam and its people. And be respectful, be respectful, be respectful."
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