EFL TEACHER
(for Fashion Design Department)
Hanoi, Vietnam
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information
contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes
responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to
change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing country environments. This
assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.
General Details
Assignment Title
EFL TEACHER
(for Fashion Design Department)
Host Organisation
Long Bien Vocational College (LBC)
Website of Host Organisation
http://caodangnghelongbien.edu.vn
http://lbc.edu.vn
Duration of Assignment
18 months
Start Date
23-Sep-2015
Pre-departure Briefing Date
24-26 June 2015
AVI Assignment Code
10532871
Host Organisation Overview
Long Bien Vocational College (LBC) is owned and operated by Garco 10, one of the largest garment
companies in Vietnam.
The LBC mission is to:

Provide quality vocational training in the areas of industrial sewing, fashion and design, business
management, industrial garment equipment, business finance and accounting and informatics
technology.

Train and supply the manpower to national and local companies in Vietnam

Contribute to meet the requirements for human resources from Vietnam as well as for the export of
labour to foreign countries.
With a 60-year history, and 40 staff, LBC currently intends to diversify its activities in order to become a
“Global College” by 2020. New courses to be developed and offered will include: retail management,
furniture design, tourism, nursing and mechanics.
LBC will put in place a new model of collaboration with enterprises as well as a new model for
international cooperation and certification.
In order to achieve these goals, teaching methods and curriculum must be upgraded to international
standards.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
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Training:
Long-term (College and Intermediate programs); Short-term (Primary and Training base on specific
skills); High-level training (improved business capacity, technology, modern management tools, applied
information technology in manufacturing, soft skills and others according to business needs); Foreign
language training
Scientific research:
Research in manufacturing technologies, design and services
Services:
Skills assessment, consultancy, manufacturing, hotel and catering services, make-up and fashion
shows
Assignment Overview
CONTEXT:
The local teachers of English as well as other academic staff recognise that they require improved
knowledge and skills on modern teaching methodologies and curriculum development. They also need
and advice and training on the development of teaching resources and materials. Working daily with an
English native speaker is the most effective way to improve the knowledge and skills on English
teaching.
This will be AVI’s second assignment with this organisation.
ALIGNMENT WITH COUNTRY STRATEGY:
Building capacity in Vocational Training for improved youth employability is one of AVI’s main focuses
in Vietnam. This assignment supports DFAT priority areas of Human Resource Development as well as
Economic Integration.
Assignment Objectives
1. Improve English communication skills of over 500 students and 39 staff.
2. Encourage cultural exchange by organizing extracurricular activities that deal with Australian
society, traditions, holidays, etc.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Volunteer
In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, Volunteers complete a work
plan in the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the
type of work that may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:
•
Plan and deliver lessons for 5-6 classes of students and faculty with the aid of their coteachers.
•
Prepare and facilitate extracurricular activities such as: soft skills, seminars, English
club and other activities of the volunteer’s choosing.
•
Administer exams and assign grades to students with the help of their co-teachers.
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Assignment Information
Line Manager
The volunteer will report directly to the Rector
Staff supervision
None
Other staff
The volunteer will be partnered with Vietnamese English teachers for each of their courses.
The volunteer will also establish relationship with the members of the English teaching staff, the leaders
of the college’s Youth Union, and the faculty members who participate in the Faculty English Courses.
Hours & Days of employment
Working hours are from 08:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday with 1,5 hours for lunch break
The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5 day week to a maximum of 40
hours per week.
Physical presence at the College is not necessarily required outside teaching hours. However, regular
contact with staff and co-teachers is important.
Leave entitlements
Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays. However, as a
minimum, Volunteers will accrue 1 week’s leave for each 3 months of work.
Other Conditions
The College is located in Long Bien district, on the outskirts of Hanoi, in a newly developed area. It is
15 minutes from the city centre and public transport is available.
Classrooms are well equipped and the volunteer will have access to a workstation in the teachers’
room.
Out of hours work may be required for extracurricular activities.
Language skill and level required
Vietnamese is the main language spoken by nearly all in the country. In local areas, very few people
speak English.
The level of language competency in Vietnamese that a volunteer will need to carry out this assignment
is LOW, mostly for daily interactions at market, shops, taxis, etc The volunteer will need basic survival
Vietnamese for shopping and travel. However, the more language skills the volunteer will acquire, the
better the integration in the community.
Language support
AVI offers 2 weeks language training support to volunteer during an initial in-country orientation
program. Further language training is encouraged and financially supported.
Living as a Volunteer
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Vietnam in general provides a safe and welcoming living environment. Crime levels are low – with petty
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street crime increasing, although at levels far below most Western capital cities. Tropical storms and
floods commonly occur between June and December. The standard of primary health care is sufficient
in major cities, but more complicated treatments may require evacuation to a third country, usually
Thailand. In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, there are international medical clinics.
Dengue Fever is endemic to Vietnam and can occur throughout the year. Outbreaks of Avian Influenza
(Bird Flu) in Vietnam have led to 50 reported human fatalities. The last fatality was in March 2009.
Malaria occurs in certain parts of Vietnam, but only in remote forested and mountainous areas.
Traffic accidents cause thousands of deaths each year.
TRANSPORT
In the city, buses, moto-taxis and taxis are the preferred means of transportation for volunteers. For
inter-city travels, there is a well organised network of public buses.
Many volunteers have found it helpful to buy a bicycle. The average cost of a brand-new bicycle is
between AUD $50 to $100
COMMUNICATIONS
Vietnam has a very modern, reliable and extensive Internet and mobile phone coverage.
Internet service is easy to get in the volunteer’s accommodation with a cost of about AUD 15-20 per
month for unlimited access.
Internet cafes are found everywhere except the most remote locations and costs are much lower than
in Australia.
Most volunteers use Skype for overseas calls: computer-to-computer (free) or computer-to-phone
(about 3.5 cents/minute to land lines and 31 cents/min to mobiles). Phone cards are also available for
even lower rates.
Preparing your Application
Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description.
To find out more details about preparing your application, please visit:
http://www.australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/application-process/
To find out more details about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer, please visit:
http://australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/have-you-got-what-it-takes/
Personal Circumstances Constraints
•
Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants must secure their own visa outside the
AVID program.
•
Partners of applicants to whom they are not legally married may face issues in applying for and
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being issued a visa.
•
This assignment is not suitable for couples with school age children due to the extremely high
cost of international education institutions, unless one of the partners does home schooling.
Qualifications
Education degree with ESL/EFL certification or equivalent practical work experience
Essential Skills & Experience
•
Practical ESL/EFL teaching experience to young adults from beginner to lower intermediate
students
•
Previous experience in working alongside and building the skills of others through formal
and/or informal training and coaching
Desirable Skills & Experience
•
Practical experience in implementing and using modern teaching methodologies
•
Prior knowledge of Vietnamese language and/or is a definite asset
Allowances & Support
These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed
periodically and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to
the allowance level.
Living Allowance
Accommodation Allowance
AUD 900 per month
AUD 500 per month
Note: Of the above amount, the host organisation
will contribute ÚSD120 per month (approximately
equivalent to AUD 125 per month)
Housing
The volunteer will be responsible for finding and securing his/her own accommodation. This is done
with the help of work colleagues, Internet sites and local housing agents. Housing for couples or
families is readily available.
Most housing is rented with all furnishings included and obtaining telephone and home-based Internet
access is quick and inexpensive.
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
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•
•
•
•
•
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Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
In-country Orientation on arrival
Pre-departure vaccination expenses
Visa expenses
Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
Return airfare to country of assignment
Psychological and medical advice and support services
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•
•
Re-entry Support services
Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
•
Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
How to Apply
Should you wish to apply for this position please visit www.australianvolunteers.com.
Select the assignment you are interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.
This assignment is part of the Australian Volunteers for International
Development program, an Australian Government initiative.
www.australianaidvolunteers.gov.au/
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