English Education Teaching in Viet Nam (Asia)

Project Description

Viet Nam is a vibrant country filled with natural wonders, welcoming people, and dynamic opportunity. Its rich culture, delicious cuisine, and beautiful landscape offer Volunteers a tremendous backdrop to make a historic impact as part of only the third cohort to serve in the country.

The Peace Corps is excited to partner with Viet Nam’s Ministry of Education and Training to implement the English Education Program. The program supports Viet Nam’s national priority of English proficiency for its secondary school students and emerging workforce, as well as strengthening teachers’ English proficiency and capacity to teach English. The objective of this project is the acquisition of English language skills by students and teachers, with emphasis on strengthening speaking ability and comprehension. There is particular interest in the communicative authenticity and cultural exchange that Peace Corps Volunteers offer.

Volunteers will be assigned to secondary schools and live in areas around Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City that have been jointly selected by the Peace Corps and the Ministry of Education and Training. National curricula are followed to prepare students for high-stakes national exams. Volunteers will co-teach and co-plan English classes with their Vietnamese counterparts. In addition to classroom teaching, Volunteers will provide English language practice opportunities by implementing extracurricular activities, school events, after-school clubs, and summer activities.

This will be the third group of Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Viet Nam. Like Peace Corps Volunteers around the world, Volunteers can look forward to learning a new language, developing teaching skills that are effective in classrooms, navigating unfamiliar work and living environments, adjusting to local cultural norms, pursuing opportunities for intercultural exchange, and forging friendships with neighbors and colleagues. However, Volunteers in this program have a significant additional responsibility: continuing to establish the reputation and credibility of the Peace Corps in Viet Nam. The first few cohorts will have to navigate greater levels of ambiguity than a Volunteer in more established programs. This cohort will continue to help the Peace Corps learn what it means to be a Volunteer in Viet Nam and build a stronger program. The individuals selected should demonstrate high levels of self-awareness, humility, initiative, and maintaining one’s health and well-being, as well as the ability to work well with various stakeholders, including community members, school faculty, and Peace Corps staff.

To establish credibility in the school community, Volunteers must be willing to abide by the same rules, norms, and standards that the Ministry and local leadership convey to local teachers regarding behavior and appearance. Volunteers are expected to be prepared and punctual for teaching responsibilities, to attend required faculty meetings, assemblies, and events, and to adhere to the local school calendar and its holiday schedule.

By the end of their in-country training, Volunteers will need to demonstrate competence in the Vietnamese language, classroom teaching, and progress in their adjustment to norms of Vietnamese communities.

Required Skills

• Competitive candidates will have a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline and a strong desire to teach English.