TEFL Heaven Vietnam | TEFL/TESOL & Placement Program

The course provided through Tefl Heaven was a fantastic entry point to teaching English abroad. the program was well structured, providing instructor-led classroom based learning while also emphasizing practical, hands-on experiences. As a newly employed teacher, I can see how valuable it is for me to have had actual classroom experience. I was better prepared to lead engaging and creative lessons and to effectively manage student learning. The theoretical element of the course forms a useful backbone for me now, providing a knowledge base which I frequently return to.
Despite its somewhat academic style- the instructors are trying to prepare you for a job, after all- I feel I really must stress: the course is FUN! You will meet loads of great, like-minded people, keen to make friends in a new environment, and the instructors go above and beyond to facilitate a community style atmosphere, providing great information about where to explore in the local area in your days off with your new friends. The welcome evening before the course starts is a great way to meet your fellow TEFL trainees.
My main piece of advice would be to enjoy your time on the program. While it might feel busy at times there's always someone on hand to provide help and advice. Take the time to get to know your new city with your new friends, work hard and have fun!

The 4 week TEFL course in Ho Chi Minh was brilliant. It provides you with everything you need to know before entering the world of teaching English as a foreign language here. The first week of the course is very informative, providing you with the knowledge and skills needed in this field. The tutor was excellent with a wealth of experience behind him that he was able to share with us. You also get hands on experiences of teaching practices with Vietnamese students, which take place in different schools around the city. This part of the course is why face-to-face learning is much better than taking an online TEFL course. I would recommend this course to anyone considering teaching English in Vietnam.

At first when I saw the cost of the course I was dubious but, after speaking to a friend who came through TEFL heaven when he went to teach in Thailand he convinced me it was worth the money and I'm so glad I listened to him. During the 4 week teacher training course you are required to observe three 2 hour observations of existing teachers and then you are required to complete 7 teaching practices to actual students. This can be daunting at first but you get assistance with completing lesson plans for the lessons and you get feedback after every session so that you can learn from your mistakes and improve next time. This hands on teaching experience alone I think is worth the money but then upon completion of the course you are guaranteed a paid job. People on my course finished the course on Thursday and started a job on Monday - it all depends on whether you want to go straight into work or have a few weeks off like I did. I'm now working for one of the top schools in Vietnam earning just under $20 an hour and I also receive $200 a month living allowance off my school.

I chose this program due to how helpful the staff members that I spoke to were. They were quick to respond to any questions and provide me with information to the best of their abilities. However, looking back on the process of being recruited it was clear that they did not have the most accurate of information. There was a very obvious disconnect between the recruiters and the actual TEFL course in Ho Chi Minh City. As far as the course goes, the instructor connected very well with the students and was clearly an experienced educator. The thing that I'm truly thankful for and that I feel prepared me the most to be a teacher was the practicum. Just getting experience in a classroom was truly invaluable.

The best thing about this course is definitely the practical element. We had seven teaching practice's altogether - with both classmates and Vietnamese students. Being someone that does not like public speaking, this was extremely nerve racking at first. However, after seven teaching practices, with feedback, i felt ready and prepared to teach. It was especially helpful and also interesting to have the opportunity to teach a range of ages during the time on the course.

A very rewarding experience with hands on teaching, lesson planning and a job guaranteed shorty after the end of the course. Some improvements to the group exercises would be great but all in all i would recommend it to any first time teachers looking to get their foot in the door.

Since the course has finished i have 2 part time jobs making up a steady wage so have decided to stay living in Ho Chi Minh City but there is opportunities to find work in all parts of Vietnam which is very temping as the hussle and bussle of the town is something very different to England and to some of the more scenic parts of the country.

Overall, I got what I was hoping to get out of this course! The skills they taught were relevant, and I felt very prepared going into my first teaching job after completing the course. I also liked how much teaching practice you get throughout the month. It was very helpful and practical for hands on learning! Additionally, I enjoyed living in the place I would be teaching while studying my TEFL. It gave me a chance to adjust and get comfortable in my new setting while surrounded by like-minded people.

I completed my TESOL course at the end of May and 9 days later I was teaching in one of the most beautiful areas of Vietnam, google Ha Long Bay people because if you are already tempted by Vietnam then those pictures will make up your mind, they did for me.
This course is in HMCM and the city is great, it is loud and busy and everything you would expect from a big city in a country that is constantly evolving.
The course was great, I think the best part for me was the people I met and the fun we had together, I was worried at 33 that the group would all be younger than me but my class ranged from 20 to mid 50's and all wonderful people who I am still in contact with and looking forward to seeing again when I travel back down the country.
I felt that during the course I was given all of the essential information I needed in my teaching and as I had no experience previously I was very grateful to the teachers who were informative and fun, the hands on teaching experience was nerve wracking but so useful to build my confidence.
I really enjoyed this course and Vietnam is a great place to live and teach. The Vietnamese people are also extremely helpful and friendly to foreigners.