EFL Teacher
Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, 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assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.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
Host Organisation
Kien Giang Technology and Economics College
Website of Host Organisation
www.kiengiangtec.edu.vn
Duration of Assignment
18 months
Start Date
23-Sep-2015
Pre-departure Briefing Date
24-26 Jun 2015
AVI Assignment Code
10533054
Host Organisation Overview
Mission and purpose
As a higher education institution, the College is responsible for training technicians in the field
of advanced technology and economics. It aims at training youth in practical and professional
skills to increase their employability and contribute to the sustainable development and
prosperity of the province.
The school is one of the main institutions that train workers for Kien Giang and neighbouring
provinces. It offers programs at various levels: college, vocational college, professional
secondary, vocational secondary and inter-university. In recent years, the College has been
following "quality management system with ISO 9001:2008 standard" and was certified by
QUACERT Centre.
Main activities
The College offers training programs in: automotive, mechanics, electricity, electronics,
construction engineering technology, accounting, business administration, tourism, applied
informatics, aquaculture, and veterinary services.
Size and number of staff
Around 240 teaching staff in 3 separate campuses.
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Assignment Overview
The College needs to increase the teaching level of English as although graduates have high
scores in English grammar, they cannot communicate well with other English speakers. This
is due to the fact that students (and teachers) do not have the opportunity to learn from native
English speakers and to communicate with English-speaking foreigners.
A trained EFL teacher is absolutely necessary to ensure that the students develop adequate
English language speaking and listening skills.
This is a new partnership for AVI although we are currently working with a similar organisation
in Rach Gia with much success.
Assignment Objectives
To improve English communication skills for students and teachers, and create an enabling
environment to learn English at school.
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:

Introduce and implement modern curriculum and language teaching methods

Teach and co-teach English for students.

Teaching English for teachers and staff
Assignment Information
Line Manager
The international cooperation manager
Hours & Days of employment
20 hours per week of face-to-face teaching time plus time for analysis of existing resources
and preparation of training materials
The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5 day week to a maximum
of 40 hours per week.
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
Out of hours presence may be required for extra-curricular activities
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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 week 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 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 mean 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
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 1520 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-tophone (about 3.5 cents/minute to land lines and 31 cents/min to mobiles). Phone cards are
also available for even lower rates.
Kien Giang
Kiên Giang is located in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam with a population of 1.7
million (2009). The Government is embarking on a massive land reclamation project aiming at
expanding the city with territory reclaimed from the ocean.
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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 being issued a visa.
This assignment is not suitable for couples with school age children unless one of the
partners does home schooling.
Qualifications
A degree in education and a recognised qualification in EFL teaching.
Essential Skills & Experience
-
Proven track record of EFL teaching
-
Previous experience in working alongside and building the skills of others through
formal and/or informal training and coaching
-
Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings
Patience, tolerance and flexibility
Ability to cope with cultural isolation and a different standard of living
A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment
Desirable Skills & Experience
-
Prior teaching experience in South-East Asia
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-
Preference for a native English speaker
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
The College will offer on-campus
accommodation.
Note: Of the above amount, the host
organisation will contribute VND 2,000,000
per month (approximately equivalent to AUD
100 per month).
Housing
The Volunteer will be lodged on campus in the College’s guest house. The room is equipped
with air-con and Wi-Fi access.
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
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
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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