Teach English in Vietnam: Interview with Mindra

We’d love to learn more about you! Can you share a little about your background and what inspired you to start teaching abroad in Vietnam

Hi, my name’s Mindra and I’m 26 years old. After working a terrible corporate job four two years, I quit with the intention of traveling. I went on to backpack through South and Central America for 8 months and loved every second of it. One of the best parts of my experience was partaking in a full Spanish language immersion program in Guatemala. I lived with a host family and attended daily one–on-one classes. It was incredibly gratifying and rewarding to learn a language in order to better understand a country and it’s people. I was inspired to begin teaching myself in places like Vietnam in the hopes of providing others a similar experience. 

What brought you to teaching abroad? Did you always picture yourself working in Vietnam, or was it an unexpected turn in your journey?

Though I loved backpacking in the past, I often felt like I was running- always planning the next thing, rushing to the next bus. What would it be like, I wondered, to really get to know a place. When I reached the end of my travel budget, I knew I wasn’t ready to stop but would need to work somewhere abroad. I’d always dreamed of visiting South East Asia, so a quick web search later, I found this program that aligned with my schedule. I didn’t know a thing about life in Vietnam, but I was excited to be a part of it. 

Thinking back to your TEFL course, what stood out as the most valuable part? Do you feel it gave you the right tools to succeed as a teacher in Vietnam?

For someone with zero teaching experience, the course gave me a great overview of the process and all that’s required. While it was interesting to learn about different learning styles and teaching methods, I think the parts about lesson planning, class structure, and engaging activities ended up being most applicable. The course gave me useful tools, but in reality, nothing could have prepared me adequately for this experience in Vietnam. You just have to dive in head first and be prepared for some amount of chaos. It’s not an easy job, but it’s wonderful at times.

Can you walk us through a day in your life? What’s your typical teaching routine like from morning to evening in Vietnam?

I have two half days of teaching a week and two to three full days. On the full days, I get up around 6:15 AM and am picked up by the provided driver around 6:45, along with another teacher in my group. I am dropped off at my school quite early, as classes start at 8 AM, but this gives me a bit of time to plan my lessons. Then I teach 4 classes, which are 35 minutes each, with a brief break midway. After this is done, there’s a three hour break during which locals usually go home to eat lunch and take nap. For me, at least an hour and a half of this time is spent driving, but I still have a chance to grab lunch with my friends and relax a little. All too soon, it’s time for the second half of the workday, during which I typically teach three more classes. Then, I go home, hit the gym, grab dinner, and maybe try something new in the city. 

What do you enjoy most about life in Vietnam, and how does it compare to where you’re from?

Vietnam feels like an alternate universe to where I’m from, the US. I think that’s what I like about it so much- the novelty, the excitement of it all. I love to watch as all the motorbikes speed by, often carrying three people, plants, live fish/ chickens, building materials, and just about anything you can think of. It’s an adventure just exploring my neighbourhood; there’s a whole network of tiny connecting alleyways back there, which consists of packed housing, make-shift convenience stores, and outdoor markets selling fresh produce, flowers and more. Of course, you have to barter for just about everything, unlike my home country. I even stumbled across a beautiful little Buddhist temple back there. Though all these more traditional things exist, you can also find modern/ western experiences if you know where to look. It’s a nice balance.  

Was there anything about teaching abroad that completely surprised you? We’d love to hear about an unexpected challenge or unique experience!

So much surprised me, to be honest. I don’t know why I was picturing perfectly behaved angel children when I signed up, but that is NOT the case. In my first class, kids were fighting on the ground, throwing things, and generally screaming at the top of their lungs. My teaching assistant was entirely unhelpful but did say it was the worst class in the school. Other schools I teach at, however, are much better, but classroom management is still a massive part of the job. Still, the kids are incredibly sweet, and you will undoubtedly feel like a celebrity. They’ll ask for your autograph, draw pictures of you, try to hug you, dance for you, and try to give you little snacks. Sometimes it’s a lot, but it’s very cute..

I also didn’t expect my employer, Binh Minh Education, to be so poorly organized. I usually have very little warning before I have to teach or attend an event. Many teaching materials are missing and the staff are not helpful in providing them. Additionally, the employer is paying us less than was guaranteed by the program due to the exchange rate.

What has been the most rewarding moment of your teaching journey so far?

I think one of the most rewarding moments was when I finally started to get the hang of things.  As I walked into school in Vietnam, many students approached me to say “hello teacher,”and some even remembered my name. My lesson went perfectly according to plan- the kids learned the content, and we played a fun game. I even had the students practice in pairs and then demonstrate for the class. Then, I had the whole class applaud, so it was like a little show. After, my TA, who is an experienced teacher told me I was doing a great job, which was the validation I needed to hear. 

How has teaching in another country shaped you both personally and professionally?

I’ve learned a lot from this experience so far. For one thing, I used to have terrible stage fright in other situations, but somehow getting up in front of forty students in Vietnam doesn’t bother me. This has helped me build confidence. I’ve also had many opportunities to practice thinking on my feet to come up with solutions in real time. For instance, the TV/ projector often does not work, so I have to come up with an alternate activity. 

Professionally, I’ve grown by learning how to deal with a difficult employer. You have to stand up for yourself, know your rights, and refuse to let them take advantage of you. Overall, I’ve definitely learned a lot about myself and my strengths and am sure I will learn more as the semester progresses.

For someone hesitant about teaching abroad, what words of encouragement or advice would you share?

Just do it, now is the time! You have to be open minded and ready for an adventure, but if you are, it will be the experience of a lifetime. You’ll have the opportunity to expand your perspective of the world, gain new skills, and meet wonderful people. I think this is one of the best ways to truly understand a country. There will be tough moments for sure, but even these will help you grow as a person. It’s definitely a risk worth taking.

Ready to start your own adventure? Sign up for our Vietnam internship today and take the first step towards teaching abroad!