English Teaching Assistant for Youth in Hanoi

The program

The aim of this fantastic teaching program in Vietnam is to provide an English language speaking environment for disadvantaged youth in order to develop their English communicative skills. Many of the students have moved to Hanoi from the provinces and in these cases their parents may have unstable work and incomes. This instability means many of the children are behind in their schooling and desperately need extra help. The teaching programs are based in either a Vietnamese school, community center, shelter for children living on the street, or center for vocational training. The program caters to pupils of both primary and secondary school age so it is important that volunteers are willing to work with a wide age range. The volunteer’s role is to support the provision of English in institutions where under-staffing and skills shortages are an issue. Teaching qualifications and experience are welcome, but are not a requirement. It is important that volunteers have great time management skills, show confidence in a classroom setting, are able to use their initiative and come up with creative lesson plans. As is common in many of the world’s poorer communities, an ability to speak English unlocks a new world of possibilities – in education and in job opportunities, as well as opening themselves up to learning more about the world.

Goals of this Project:

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

7:00am Breakfast at the Volunteer House

8:00am Travel to the project site

8:20am Pre-start meeting with the project supervisor

Volunteers break for lunch, normally from 11am to 2pm, as per local custom. Lunch is provided in the Volunteer House.

8:30pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START

Volunteers break for lunch, normally from 11am to 2pm, as per local custom. Lunch is provided in the Volunteer House.

3:30pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END

3:45pm De-brief with program supervisor

Afternoon/Evening Free time and dinner

Dinner is provided in the Volunteer House and volunteers are free to spend their afternoons and evenings relaxing and/or exploring the city.

Volunteers participating on this rewarding program have the privilege of doing so in enchanting Ha Noi. Leaving the crippling effects of war and seclusion in the past the city is speeding into the 21st Century as fast a scooter down the main streets (pedestrians beware!).

French influences remain from the colonial past but the city is stamping out a future all its own in authentic style. Visitors gain a true appreciation of Vietnamese courage and resilience through the juxtaposition of old and new in this city. Time spent here is rewarding for intrepid travellers and first timers alike.