My Second Time as a New English Teacher in Vietnam: The Truth About Teaching in Public Schools

My second time being a new English teacher in Vietnam was a strange experience. With so many changes to laws and the syllabus, it felt like starting all over again—despite having years of prior experience.

Being New with a Decade of Experience

There was an uncomfortable feeling as I sat in a workshop with almost 100 other foreigners, all ready to take on public school teaching in Vietnam. Some, like me, had experience and were preparing for the new year at both old and new schools across Ho Chi Minh City. For me, having not worked as a teacher for over five years, the challenge was to forget that I had done it before and start learning again.

To be honest, at the lower end, workshops and learning time are not common in Vietnam. It’s more about getting the person into the job to fulfill the contract. It sounds rather uninviting, but that’s the reality of public school teaching in Vietnam.

I was somewhat taken aback by the enthusiasm and energy being shown by these teachers. And it wasn’t the new teachers, but those with two or three years of experience who were taking up the passion to raise the energy in the room.

Our pre-school workshop consisted of learning about work permits, Vietnamese laws for teachers, and the do’s and don’ts of teaching in Vietnam. While I was familiar with most of this, I still took away a few things that would make the coming year a little easier.

Then, as quickly as it started, it was done. Three hours went by very fast, and I said goodbye to a group of people I may never see again—or at least not until this time next year, if they choose to stay in Vietnam.

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The School Year Begins

A few days later, I received a Zalo message from the education company. It was my schedule for the coming year: full days of teaching on Tuesday and Friday, with half days on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

While this might seem a little light for most of us, it was by choice. I needed some free time to pursue other career paths and freelancing opportunities. There’s a lot more work available if I choose to take it on.

This year, I’m working at two schools. One is a senior high school that allows me to teach my specialty subject—IELTS. The other is a junior high school that covers a bit of everything, depending on their syllabus.

My First Week

Now that I’ve had the fortune of experiencing my first week in the classroom in over five years, I can be both complimentary and critical of the public school system.

I’ve been very pleased to see that electronic presentations have finally been accepted as a minimum standard in Vietnamese classrooms. When I first started teaching, a simple TV or projector was a luxury that very few classrooms used. It was all paper and books.

The newer schools also include air-conditioning in most classrooms. Older schools still leave students in open spaces with nothing more than a fan or two, but it’s great to see improvements in action for some classrooms.

One big change is the inclusion of phone management in senior high schools. Now, all students are required to leave their phones in a pouch at the front of the room and can only access them during break times. This seems to work very well for maintaining attention in class.

Unfortunately, Wi-Fi and connectivity still seem to be a struggle in some schools. The vast distances and lack of upgrades mean that Wi-Fi in classrooms is mostly of unusable quality. For this reason, it’s recommended to have a large data package on your phone so you can use your own internet connection.

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Getting Back with the Children

One consistent and heartwarming aspect of Vietnamese culture is the children and teens you teach. This is, without a doubt, the best part of teaching in Vietnam. And while everything felt new again, I couldn’t help but get a massive sense of déjà vu when looking at the fresh young faces.

Classes in Vietnam are separated into study levels. However, they also include children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is both challenging and amazing.

In a class of 50 students, you’ll experience a wide range of skill levels—from fluent English speakers to students who have almost zero ability to communicate in English. But somehow, this seems to work well.

What I admire about students in Vietnam is that they often work together in support of one another to get the job done. They are also generally more respectful of the teacher, which is deeply embedded in Vietnamese culture.

Vietnam holds teachers in high esteem—not only local teachers but also foreigners who play a positive role in the development of young minds. Even after more than a decade in Vietnam, I still receive messages from students I taught back in my early days.

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Rediscovering Purpose

Overall, my return to the classroom has been a wonderful experience. I’ve focused on accepting the improvements and finding workarounds for the things that are still not quite to my liking. I’ve formed great relationships with my assistants and local teachers, and I’m starting to get a real sense of purpose in developing young minds in the outer suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City.

There’s a unique rhythm to teaching here. It’s not just about the lesson plans or the grammar drills—it’s about the connections you build, the laughter you share, and the small victories you witness every day. Whether it’s a shy student finally speaking up or a class collectively grasping a difficult concept, these moments are the true rewards.

This might be my second experience teaching in Vietnam, but apart from knowing more of the local language, I genuinely feel like I’m back at day one. I have a lot of learning and new experiences ahead of me. And that’s exciting.

If teaching in Vietnam is on your bucket list, I suggest you look into it and give it a go. Your life will be better for the adventure of being part of young lives here in Vietnam. It’s not just a job—it’s a journey of growth, discovery, and meaningful impact.