Hanoi, Vietnam
4 week TEFL Course
- Government accredited
- 8 hours teaching practice
More info
Deposit Refund Guarantee
We're confident in the quality of our training: If you complete the course and don't pass, we'll refund your deposit.
Government accredited
Australian Government accredited Certificate IV in TESOL, exceeding international standards.
What's included?
4 week, 150 hour (+/-) course
8 hours of teaching practice
6 hours observing experienced teachers
Pre-course support, including visa advice
Expert tuition from certified vocational trainers
Lifetime job support
Accommodation assistance
Welcome dinner and drinks
- Save $100 with our December offer
Lifetime job support (in addition to the partner centre job support)
Deposit refund guarantee
FREE add-on Grammar Course
FREE lesson plan subscription
FREE starter pack of resources
There is high demand for English teachers in Hanoi and the rest of Vietnam. The cost of living is low and there is a sizable teacher and expat community. Hanoi is the perfect place to start your TEFL career, gain experience, make a real difference in the lives of your students, and immerse yourself in a new culture and way of life.
Whether you decide to stay in Vietnam or not, our accredited, 4-week TEFL course qualifies you for thousands of English teaching jobs worldwide, and comes with expert job support.
The course
This is a full-time, intensive course, involving a commitment of time and work. Most trainees find the course immensely rewarding and attest to an enormous sense of achievement when they complete it. Please read What can I expect? and our FAQ below to learn more about what’s involved.The training centre
The training centre is in Ba Dinh District, near to the city’s Old Quarter. The District is home to laid-back restaurants, backstreets and alleyways to wander through, and many historic and cultural sites, including the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.Class size
The average number of students on the course is 14. Courses tend to get fully booked up to three months before the start of the course.Schedule
The course runs for 150 hours over 4 weeks. You can expect to be in class from 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday for the first 3 weeks. The last week focuses mainly on completing assessment tasks and job placement. The practical component of 14 hours teaching practice and observations is spread over the 4 weeks. Weekends are free, but with the expectation of some work completing assignments and assessments. Please see What can I expect? for more detail about the “day to day” of the course.Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, has immense historical significance, dating back over 1000 years. Economically, it is booming, like the rest of Vietnam, but it has a more laid-back, bohemian feel than Ho Chi Minh City in the south, with a slower pace of life and a mostly temperate climate with four seasons.
Throughout the day you’ll see people in Hanoi enjoying street food, people-watching and playing checkers at an outdoor cafe, and taking part in ad-hoc dance and exercise classes that pop up in the evenings. It’s a city that lives outdoors.
Hanoi is relatively flat, and so is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle. It has more than 100 lakes, each with its own unique ambience, including the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, a popular recreation spot for English teachers.
The Old Quarter is a bustling mix of old shops selling traditional wares, ancient pagodas, colonial architecture, amazing street food, hidden alleyways and coffee shops, and a sensation of colours, sounds and smells. It’s also home to a vibrant nightlife, including the bars and clubs of Bia Hoi Junction.
Not far away are many sites of historic and cultural significance and interest, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and Dong Xuan Market.
Hanoi has a lot to offer. It’s a captivating mix of tradition and modernity, and a great place to start your TEFL career.
What can I expect?
Before the course
Once you’ve enrolled and paid your deposit, we’ll get in touch with our partner centre, who will look at your application before confirming your place on the course. You may be invited for a Zoom chat first.
(If for any reason we or the partner centre are unable to offer you a place on the course, you’ll receive a full refund of your deposit payment.)
The School of TEFL team and partner centre will keep in close contact with you until the course starts, providing information and advice about visas and documentation, arranging your accommodation and other practicalities, and answering any questions you have.
You’ll pay the balance payment directly to our partner centre approximately two weeks before the course starts. (If you enrol closer to the start date though, that’s no problem).
On the Saturday and Sunday before the study component of the course starts, there is a Welcome Party and city tour, to help you get to know the neighbourhood surrounding the training centre and the people you will spend a month with during the course.
Day to day on the course
Theory
In weeks 1-3 of the course you’ll gain a solid foundation in English language teaching theory. You’ll have input sessions and workshops from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm, covering a range of topics. You’ll learn about the language itself, teaching skills and techniques, classroom management strategies and much more. By the end of the first three weeks, you’ll have a strong grasp of the theory behind Teaching English as a Second Language. In week 4, the focus is mainly on providing support with completing the assessment tasks, as well as job placement and support.Practice
The practical part of the course takes place across the four weeks. You’ll have the opportunity to observe experienced teachers giving real classes as early as day one. You’ll then jump straight into planning, teaching and evaluating 8 hours of classes with real students. You’ll have plenty of guidance and support throughout this process, with feedback sessions from your trainer and lesson planning assistance.The practical teaching and observation component may involve some evenings and parts of weekends, and you’ll leave the course with invaluable hands-on experience.
Coursework and assessment
In addition to the practical component, you’ll be completing coursework and assessments throughout the four weeks. This includes self-evaluation of your teaching, building a portfolio of teaching resources (which you will take with you after the course), short-answer question assignments, a short research report, and creating a detailed learning plan for one student. The assessment process is designed to prepare you for real-life teaching scenarios you’ll encounter when you start paid employment.By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and practical experience you need to confidently pursue a career in English language teaching.
What will I learn?
You’ll learn everything you need to start teaching English: teaching skills, how to manage a class, teaching theory and much more. Here’s a summary of the main areas you’ll cover on the course:
- Language awareness (learning about how the language works, including grammar and phonology)
- Lesson planning and lesson structure
- Different teaching methodologies and how to apply them
- Teaching group classes
- Teaching one-to-one
- How to teach grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
- How to teach speaking and writing
- How to teach reading and listening
- Classroom management
- Error correction
- Testing and assessment of learners
- Preparing learners for English language tests
- How to find and develop materials and resources
- Using visual and audio aids
- How to teach children
- How to teach Business English
- Cultural awareness in English language teaching
- Job-finding skills and strategies
Accommodation
Our partner centre has compiled a list of recommended hotels (below), all close to the training centre in Ba Dinh district in Hanoi. We would recommend choosing one of these, according to your budget, but you are of course welcome to find somewhere different that is right for you. If you do, we recommend staying in or close to Ba Dinh district to minimise your commute! Our partner centre is also on hand to help with alternative options.
Recommended budget hotels
Smile
34 Cua Bac Street, Ba Dinh District
Average price: US$18 / nightBusiness Highview (homestay)
63 Pham Hong Thai Street, Ba Dinh District
Average price: US$18 / nightRecommended medium-priced hotels
A25
109 Truc Bach Street, Ba Dinh District
Average price: US$22 / nightCozy Studio Hanoian (studio)
21 Cua Bac Street, Ba Dinh District
Average price: US$22 / nightRecommended higher-priced hotels
Aimee House
45 Pham Hong Thai Street, Ba Dinh District
Average price: US$25 / nightIsland Life – Lake Truc Bach
51 Pho Nguyen Khac Hieu Street, Ba Dinh
Average price: US$25 / nightAfter the course
What can I do with my TEFL certificate from School of TEFL in Vietnam?
The School of TEFL course trains you to teach in Vietnam or anywhere in the world. If you decide to stay in Vietnam, you’ll find job opportunities far exceeding the number of qualified teachers available, and it’s likely that you will secure a paid position within days of completing the course.
Our partner centre has an extensive network of schools and language centres built up over a number of years. They will introduce you to some of these schools and centres as part of their hands-on job support, as well as helping you craft a CV tailored to Vietnam’s market conditions.
Where can I teach?
You could work in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, where most of the teaching opportunities are concentrated, taking advantage of the large expat communities, nightlife, and full-on energy and excitement of these cities. If you prefer a slightly less frenetic pace of life but still with many “big-city” benefits, then you’ll also find jobs in smaller, regional cities such as Danang, Vung Tau and Can Tho.
Alternatively, you may choose to work in a rural town or village, allowing you to immerse yourself deeply in the local culture and make a positive impact on the lives of some of Vietnam’s most underprivileged people.
If you decide to leave Vietnam, there is quite literally a whole world of possibilities open to you, with teaching jobs in just about every country on every continent.
Again, the School of TEFL team and the specialist staff at our partner centre will provide you with advice and support, and we take this commitment to you very seriously. We’ll help you create a CV tailored to the job market’s requirements and work with you to explore prospects with language schools and other potential employers.
Requirements
Minimum 18 years of age.
Proficient in all aspects of English.
Secondary education to pre-university level and able to complete an intensive university-level course.
Clean police/criminal record check from your home country.
Clear understanding of professional conduct, punctuality, cultural sensitivity and the ability to get along with others.
Upcoming dates
| Dates | Spaces | Deposit | Enrol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrol now, choose dates later | $550 $450 | Enrol | |
| 9th Feb - 3rd Mar 2025 | Limited | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 9th Mar - 31st Mar 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 6th Apr - 28th Apr 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 4th May - 26th May 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 1st Jun - 23rd Jun 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 29th Jun - 21st Jul 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 27th Jul - 18th Aug 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 24th Aug - 15th Sep 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 21st Sep - 13th Oct 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 19th Oct - 10th Nov 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 16th Nov - 8th Dec 2025 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
| 14th Dec 2025 - 5th Jan 2026 | Available | $550 $450 | Enrol |
FAQ about the course and Vietnam
Course FAQ
Who is the course accredited by?
The course is Australian government accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), giving graduates a Certificate IV in TESOL. This certification is equivalent to CELTA and the Trinity CertTESOL.
How much does the course cost?
The course costs $1,657. You’ll pay a deposit of $550 when you enrol and the balance directly to the partner centre approximately two weeks before the start of the course.
Please note:
These prices may be lower if you see an offer listed on our site or have a discount code.What's included in the course price?
Included in the price of the course are:
– Pre-course support – visa, insurance and documentation advice
– The 4-week, Australian Government accredited course
– 8 hours of teaching practice
– 6 hours observing experienced teachers
– Expert tuition from certified vocational trainers
– Help finding very well-priced accommodation to suit your needs – most within walking distance
– Access to the partner centre Student Learning Portal
– Welcome dinner and drinks
– Job support from the partner centre and from School of TEFL
– Online grammar courseHow easy/difficult is the course?
This is an intensive, university-level course that requires dedication and hard work! It’s not a ‘shortcut’ TEFL course. However, with your commitment, you’ll emerge from it well-prepared and highly motivated to start your teaching journey.
Will I teach actual students on the course?
Yes, you’ll teach actual local ESL students for 8 hours.
Will I learn how to teach both adults and children?
Yes, the course trains you how to teach both adults and young learners. You’ll learn core teaching skills applicable to all age groups, along with specific strategies for teaching young learners.
How will I be assessed?
In the first 3 weeks of the course you will be assessed on your 8 hours of teaching practice, and on your reflections of observing experienced teachers. The assessment of teaching practice includes the production of detailed lesson plans.
In the fourth week, you’ll be assessed on a portfolio of teaching and testing resources, a short research project and a completed workbook, amongst other things. There is no final exam.
Our partner centre employs qualified assessors working under strict Australian Government compliance standards to ensure that you are ready to teach as soon as you’ve completed the course.
Who is the course suitable for?
The course is suitable for motivated individuals of all ages and backgrounds who want to teach English in Vietnam, around the world or online.
How early should I book?
The course tends to get fully booked up to two or three months in advance, so it’s best to book as early as you can.
How many other people will be on the course with me?
There is an average of 14 trainees on each course.
What should I bring/wear for the course?
You’ll need a laptop. If you don’t have one, our partner centre can hire one for you on request for the duration of the course, for a very reasonable fee and a refundable deposit.
When teaching or observing classes, you need to wear professional, business clothing (no jeans, shorts, flip-flops or t-shirts). When not teaching or observing, you can wear casual clothes.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the course?
You don’t need to prepare in any way. However, we would recommend taking our add-on Grammar Course (free when you enrol). You’ll learn grammar on the course, but this will give you a head start.
If you want to read about English teaching before the course, Learning Teaching by Jim Scrivener and The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer are both good options. Again, this is optional, as you’ll learn all you need to know about the theory and practice of teaching on the course itself, but some trainees find it helpful to be familiar with some of the terms and concepts before starting the course.
Do I need to speak Vietnamese to take the course?
No – TEFL courses show you how to teach without needing to know the language of your students. If you go on to teach in an English speaking country, you’ll probably have classes of mixed nationality/first language, so using the students’ first language isn’t an option anyway!
What kind of job help and support is provided?
Our partner centre provides help with creating a CV tailored to market demands, referral to the partner schools in their network, advice on employment agreements and conditions, and mock interviews. You’ll have input sessions during the course, and access to the partner centre’s knowledgeable team throughout.
In addition to the job help provided by the partner centre, School of TEFL provides lifetime job guidance and support. Before, during and after the course we’re on hand with expert advice on preparing your CV, applying for jobs, succeeding at interviews and building your TEFL career, for as long as you need us, and we take this commitment to you very seriously. To access this support, all you need to do is send us an email or give us a call at any time, and we’ll give you one-on-one, personalised support.
What else can the partner centre help with / provide?
Our partner centre can help with the following:
– Airport pickup and accommodation check in
– Arranging Vietnamese language lessons
– Laptop hire
– Accommodation for extra nights
– Motorbike or bicycle hire
– Tour and flight bookings
– Laundry services
– Visa extensions
– Local SIM cards
– Help opening a local bank accountPlease feel free to ask if you need help with anything else as well – the partner centre team will do their best to assist you or point you in the right direction wherever they can!
Vietnam FAQ and practicalities
What are the requirements to teach English in Vietnam?
To teach English in Vietnam, you must:
- be 18 years of age
- have a Bachelor's degree, with your certificate notarised in your home country
- have a government accredited TEFL qualification
- pass a basic health check as part of the process to obtain a work permit
- have a passport valid for at least 12 months
- produce a clean background check within the last six months, notarised in your home countryWhat type of visa do I need to teach English in Vietnam?
To enter Vietnam, you need a tourist visa. A tourist e-visa costs $25 and is valid for 90 days, which covers the duration of the TEFL course and, in most cases, the transition time needed to secure a work permit from an employer, and the related 2-year visa, afterward.
On the rare occasion that the work permit and long-term visa aren't ready within the 90 day period, you would need to do a "border run" to get a new tourist visa. The easiest way to do this from Hanoi is to take a cheap flight to Ho Chi Minh City (of which there are many every day) and then taking the border run bus (yes, there is one!), that departs from Ho Chi Minh City every morning, to the Cambodian border. The bus waits for everyone to renew their visa and then comes back to Ho Chi Minh City. The bus trip takes half a day and costs around $115, which includes the cost of the visa.
When you secure a job, you'll be able to get a work permit, which is sponsored by your employer, and the related 2-year visa.
Our partner centre will be on hand to help you with everything to do with visas, and you can read our more detailed information about visas here.What paperwork do I need to bring to teach English in Vietnam?
You should bring your notarised degree certificate and background check with you. If you're a non-native speaker, you'll also need your notarised TOEFL/IELTS certificate.
Please see our information about background checks for more info.Can non-native English speakers teach English in Vietnam?
Yes. To teach English in Vietnam as a non-native speaker, you must be able to show that you have a certified English level of C1 or higher, an IELTS score of 6.5, or equivalent.
What are the typical working conditions when teaching English in Vietnam?
Most full-time English teaching jobs require 20 to 30 classroom teaching hours per week. This can be during the day, in the evenings and at weekends, with at least one day off per week, depending on the employer. Paid holiday and sick leave also depend on the employer. Teaching contracts can be up to 2 years (renewable) and you'll typically need to commit for a minimum of 3 months.
What types of teaching jobs are available in Vietnam, and where are they?
The majority of job opportunities are in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding areas, in privately owned English language schools, government schools and tertiary institutions. Private tutoring and teaching onsite at businesses are also common. There are also plenty of opportunities in smaller, regional cities and in more rural locations.
Is accommodation provided with teaching jobs in Vietnam?
Accommodation is often provided in regional cities and rural locations. This is less common in bigger cities.
How much will I earn teaching English in Vietnam?
A typical salary for foreign ESL teachers is between $1700 and $2000 net per month, or $17 to $20 net per hour.
Will I be able to save money teaching English in Vietnam?
Yes, a teacher with typical outgoings can generally expect to save around half their earnings.
Our support for Plan International UK
We believe everyone should have access to the education and future opportunities they need to thrive. That's why for every TEFL course we sell in 2024, we're donating £5 to Plan International UK via Work for Good.
