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36 | Eight Easy Steps To Great Teaching Job In Vietnam Step eight: best shot | 37

4. Religion: don’t engage in discussions or express opinions. It can be 13. Tone of voice: when speaking with local people, be mindful of
divisive. your tone of voice, intonation and the like. Local people, especially
women, shy away from anyone who presents as verbally or
5. Punctuality: arrive at least 10 minutes early for every lesson or physically aggressive.
school-related appointment.
14. Clothing and footwear: always carry a spare set of teaching clothes
6. Live the role: look and sound like a professional educator – without and footwear in your teaching bag. The daily downpour during the
coming across as aloof. wet season is one reason; there are many others.

7. Non-paid tasks: almost certainly your salary will be 400%+ more 15. Teacher’s desk: don’t leave items unattended on your teacher’s
than local teachers and double what the school principal earns. desk during a break. If, for example, you leave markers, students
Given your high salary and status in the school community, making may write or draw (obscenities) on the classroom walls or the
yourself available for non-paid activities - school open days, whiteboard. Likewise, if you were to leave your teaching bag
marketing campaigns and suchlike – is expected. Treat non-paid unattended, it’s possible that a curious student may rummage
tasks as a way of ‘giving something back’ for the opportunity to live through it – or even take things.
and work abroad.

8. Drugs and alcohol are grounds for dismissal and even jail time or
deportation in more serious instances of abuse.

9. Ambassador for your school (and your country): teachers are highly
regarded in Vietnam. Your behaviour needs to be impeccable 24/7.
If you feel the need to ‘play up’, don’t do it in your neighbourhood or
the neighbourhood of the school community.

10. Money: don’t loan money to anyone. You’ll expose yourself to
misunderstandings and accusations. In addition, almost certainly,
you won’t be repaid.

11. Socialising: don’t socialise with students; it can easily be
misinterpreted.

12. Touching: it’s considered unacceptable for a male to touch a female
and vice versa in Vietnam – or show affection – in public. What
might be regarded as an innocent sign of endearment or respect in
western culture, is frowned upon in Vietnam.