Volunteering or Part Time English teaching work - HCMC/Ha Noi

Most schools do not like to hire teachers on a short term basis, but if you are volunteering they might be willing to employ you for just a month.

Thanks for the information, thecyclist!

Are you aware of any language centers or homestays that can considered for short term volunteering?

Remember the laws of supply and demand. There may be a justification for volunteering in remote areas but in all the cities, including small and medium sized, the language centers are for-profit businesses.  If you volunteer at one, you are likely taking hours away from someone else who needs the work.

Not necessarily, as there are many language schools that simply cannot get any foreign teachers, I assume in most cases because they are not paying enough, so he wouldn't be taking employment away from anyone.
I would think that they are all over the country, so  a volunteer shouldn't have any problems finding something to do:The only problem could be that, so I was told by Vietnamese teachers, especially younger students sometimes get attached to a teacher they like, and then stop studying when that teacher leaves, so schools might be reluctant to hire anyone who from the outset is only going going to stay for a very short time.

Jsapp wrote:

... volunteering work or a part time work like English teaching or helping with English communication for students...

There are plenty of opportunities outside of for-profit schools and language centers. What is remarkable is how many post-high school people (late teens to 30s mostly) enjoy improving and practicing their English. Here are some ideas in Saigon. These are not teaching, but giving Vietnamese an opportunity to practice, and you an opportunity to meet a ton of nice earnest Vietnamese.

Facebook group "Talking With The Tourist". This is a large group where members pay 10.000d to gather in a park in District 1, and intercept tourists for practicing English. Very informal, fun for tourists, you just drop in, several afternoons a week.

Facebook group "Volunteer House Vietnam". An NGO looking for full and part time volunteers, but a one month commitment may be too short. Contact them, maybe you can help as an assistant.

Facebook group "Community English Club Saigon" is one of several English clubs that come and go. I think these meet one evening a week in District 3. Informal discussions. These clubs love native English visitors.

Google "master cup coffee saigon" for a coffee shop in District 7 run by American expats. They have English language practice rooms. Locals drop in afternoons and evenings, and there is often a volunteer who tries to lead discussions and keep people participating. There are lots of Vietnamese and Korean regulars, it is a social activity for most.

Post your message on Facebook group "Saigon International Friends". There are sometimes English language activities posted. Another group, maybe appropriate, is "Expats in Ho Chi Minh City".

THIGV wrote:

Remember the laws of supply and demand. There may be a justification for volunteering in remote areas but in all the cities, including small and medium sized, the language centers are for-profit businesses.  If you volunteer at one, you are likely taking hours away from someone else who needs the work.

I will be surprised if a center or school will replace an experienced teacher with a non-experienced volunteer like me. Moreover, I am only planning to do it for a short term which will be discussed with center upfront, so I really doubt if my role will take away any permanent teacher's  work/hours.

Thanks

thecyclist wrote:

Not necessarily, as there are many language schools that simply cannot get any foreign teachers, I assume in most cases because they are not paying enough, so he wouldn't be taking employment away from anyone.
I would think that they are all over the country, so  a volunteer shouldn't have any problems finding something to do:The only problem could be that, so I was told by Vietnamese teachers, especially younger students sometimes get attached to a teacher they like, and then stop studying when that teacher leaves, so schools might be reluctant to hire anyone who from the outset is only going going to stay for a very short time.

I can understand and it makes sense to me. Thanks!

gobot wrote:

Jsapp wrote:

... volunteering work or a part time work like English teaching or helping with English communication for students...

There are plenty of opportunities outside of for-profit schools and language centers. What is remarkable is how many post-high school people (late teens to 30s mostly) enjoy improving and practicing their English. Here are some ideas in Saigon. These are not teaching, but giving Vietnamese an opportunity to practice, and you an opportunity to meet a ton of nice earnest Vietnamese.

Facebook group "Talking With The Tourist". This is a large group where members pay 10.000d to gather in a park in District 1, and intercept tourists for practicing English. Very informal, fun for tourists, you just drop in, several afternoons a week.

Facebook group "Volunteer House Vietnam". An NGO looking for full and part time volunteers, but a one month commitment may be too short. Contact them, maybe you can help as an assistant.

Facebook group "Community English Club Saigon" is one of several English clubs that come and go. I think these meet one evening a week in District 3. Informal discussions. These clubs love native English visitors.

Google "master cup coffee saigon" for a coffee shop in District 7 run by American expats. They have English language practice rooms. Locals drop in afternoons and evenings, and there is often a volunteer who tries to lead discussions and keep people participating. There are lots of Vietnamese and Korean regulars, it is a social activity for most.

Post your message on Facebook group "Saigon International Friends". There are sometimes English language activities posted. Another group, maybe appropriate, is "Expats in Ho Chi Minh City".

Thanks for the detailed information. I will certainly take a look and see if anything works for me.