Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City (ULSA2)
Vietnam amazes its visitors with stunning landscapes, a beautiful coastline and a very fascinating and hospitable culture. Despite the rather depressing history people are friendly and very ambitious and the economy is performing well. Speaking English is a crucial skill, especially with a thriving tourism industry and facing globalization. Yet the majority of Vietnamese people does not have sufficient English skills, even the young ones. One of the reasons is that very few teachers are native speakers while most Vietnamese teachers only have intermediate proficiency themselves and class size is usually quite big. PIECES wants to support those teachers and help students to improve their English by sending over teams of volunteers. Since summer 2017 we have implemented two projects in Vietnam: one at the University of Labour and Social Affairs and one at the Nguyen Tat Thanh University, both located in Ho Chi Minh City. Our teams consist of four to five volunteers. During their stay the volunteers teach classes of 30 to 40 students at the age of 18 to 23. They usually live on campus or at nearby host families, which allows them to really dive into the culture and engage with local students. English levels at the classes vary from very basic skills to an intermediate knowledge, so the volunteers have to prepare their classes accordingly.
High quality English lessons is something we usually take for granted. For many of us, English is our second language, but yet we are able to express ourselves fluently and communicate with just about anyone worldwide. Many University students in Vietnam wish they had English skills like us. However, a lot of them have severe problems with learning the language. They struggle with pronunciation and some even developed such a fear of making mistakes that it hinders them from practicing. Our approach is to take away their fears by teaching in an encouraging atmosphere and provide them with confidence. The course content adapts to the different levels of the students, but there is always a strong focus on speaking. Those with an intermediate level can even benefit from Business English lessons, preparing them for their work life. Being able to speak English will in many ways improve the students’ opportunities when they enter the working world.
Our volunteers were doing a very good job in the past and all of them reported that they are truly grateful for the wonderful experiences during the project. For most of them, it was also a personally enriching journey. The Vietnamese students on the other hand benefited not only from the lessons but also from the contact to our volunteers and the cultural exchange.. Please help us to make the project possible by donating! You can really create an impact for these young Vietnamese students. We appreciate every amount donated and are thankful for your trust.
High quality English lessons is something we usually take for granted. For many of us, English is our second language, but yet we are able to express ourselves fluently and communicate with just about anyone worldwide. Many University students in Vietnam wish they had English skills like us. However, a lot of them have severe problems with learning the language. They struggle with pronunciation and some even developed such a fear of making mistakes that it hinders them from practicing. Our approach is to take away their fears by teaching in an encouraging atmosphere and provide them with confidence. The course content adapts to the different levels of the students, but there is always a strong focus on speaking. Those with an intermediate level can even benefit from Business English lessons, preparing them for their work life. Being able to speak English will in many ways improve the students’ opportunities when they enter the working world.
Our volunteers were doing a very good job in the past and all of them reported that they are truly grateful for the wonderful experiences during the project. For most of them, it was also a personally enriching journey. The Vietnamese students on the other hand benefited not only from the lessons but also from the contact to our volunteers and the cultural exchange.. Please help us to make the project possible by donating! You can really create an impact for these young Vietnamese students. We appreciate every amount donated and are thankful for your trust.
What will you do?
PIECES volunteers will teach subjects like Insurance, Business Administration and Human Resources at the University of Labour and Social Affairs (ULSA2). Additionally, volunteers teach General English at the university’s English Speaking Club and have the chance to hold special classes for the school’s teachers. The student’s English level varies, but is mostly beginners to intermediate. The teaching sets a focus on speaking practice.
Where will you live?
The volunteers will live on the campus of the university, what gives them the chance to meet Vietnamese students outside the classrooms.
Logistics:
PIECES volunteers will teach subjects like Insurance, Business Administration and Human Resources at the University of Labour and Social Affairs (ULSA2). Additionally, volunteers teach General English at the university’s English Speaking Club and have the chance to hold special classes for the school’s teachers. The student’s English level varies, but is mostly beginners to intermediate. The teaching sets a focus on speaking practice.
Where will you live?
The volunteers will live on the campus of the university, what gives them the chance to meet Vietnamese students outside the classrooms.
Logistics:
Project Times |
4 weeks in August and possibly 3 weeks in February |
Costs |
PIECES covers the costs for board and lodging during the stay |
Working hours |
Depending on one’s own effort up to 4 classes per day (including English Speaking Club and Teachers classes), not on weekends |
Prerequisites |
Excellent English, creativity, flexibility, personal initiative |