GOTOCO VIETNAM

I recently completed the Gotoco TEFL teaching program in Vietnam. The overall highlight of my experience was being a teacher in Vietnam for three months. I was based in Thai Binh City, this was a very unique experience as it was off the tourist map and meant I experienced living and working as a local. The kindness of Vietnamese people and the children's willingness to learn cannot be unstated. Working with energetic kindergarten kids meant that the days were enjoyable and I was able to approach teaching from a fun perspective. Teaching is a very fulfilling role and seeing students progress made the days even more special. I taught a variety of ages, including older students which meant preparing them for their ILETS exams, which I recently found out one of my students passed! This was fantastic news for me and highlighted the positive impact teaching can have on student's lives. I would recommend Go to Co to people who are thinking about foregoing a career in teaching. The three-month programme offers an authentic experience into what teaching as a foreign teacher is like day to day in rural Vietnam. Go to Co is a pathway opportunity to explore whether a teaching career is the right move, whilst also providing a chance to explore a new country and experience the rich culture South East Asia has to offer. One of my most enjoyable moments from the trip was completing the Ha Giang Loop with my Go to Co group. Travelling around the North of Vietnam on the back of a motorbike is an experience of a lifetime. Travelling on narrow mountain roads, villages in Ha Giang were beautifully unique and offered a window into life into rural Northern Vietnam.