Meet Hicham Difallah – An experienced IELTS teacher from Algeria who launched a successful teaching career in Vietnam

In this article, we’ve had a chat with Hicham Difallah, who is an experienced IELTS teacher currently working in Vietnam. Throughout his teaching career, he has taught English in multiple countries to students of all ages. He’s shared with us his best tips on how you too can launch an English teaching career in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese English teaching market is currently booming with opportunities thanks to the government’s increased focus on English language education. This has resulted in a fast-growing teaching market where the demand for English education is flourishing.

Compared to many other countries in the region, Vietnamese English teaching salaries tend to be slightly higher, making it an attractive choice for English teachers when combined with a low cost of living, and access to both modern and rural lifestyles.

Another major factor that makes Vietnam a popular English teaching destination is the fact that the market is open to both native and non-native-speaking teachers alike.

Hicham Difallah is an experienced English teacher that realized the potential that the English teaching market in Vietnam has to offer. He recently decided to launch an English teaching career in Vietnam, where he’s currently working as an IELTS teacher.

He’s been kind enough to share with us his best insider tips on how you too can launch a teaching career in Vietnam.

Let’s hear more about Hicham’s life as an IELTS teacher in Vietnam.

Hicham’s interview:

💬 How long have you been teaching English, and how did you start?

“My first interaction with students was in my hometown Algiers. Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure if I could handle it because I was quite young. However, it went well, and I’ve since then taught in Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey,Vietnam, and Algeria.”

💬 What made you decide to pursue an English teaching career?

“Moving to Tunisia helped me to meet and work with people of many different nationalities. I found that I can help many students to receive a higher English teaching quality.”

💬 Where do you currently teach, and what are your responsibilities?

“I’m currently working in Vietnam as an IELTS teacher at ICE IELTS center. My job is simply to deliver the best methods and techniques for students to pass their IELTS test.”

💬 How did you find your current teaching job?

“I was in Turkey when I first learned about job chances in Vietnam, thanks to a buddy who works in Hanoi. He urged me to join a Facebook group, and I began sending emails to Vietnamese firms. Furthermore, LinkedIn offered me a plethora of work prospects.”

💬 Do you have any tips on how fellow teachers can find teaching opportunities in Vietnam?

“My suggestion to any English teacher with a decent English accent is to look up “English Teachers Hanoi” and other groups on Facebook. You can also visit Vietnam Teaching Jobs at www.vietnamteachingjobs.com for more opportunities.“

💬 What kind of teaching qualifications do you possess?

“I’ve got a 120-hour TESOL/TEFL teaching certificate from World TESOL Academy. I believe that the whole course has been very useful for my teaching career without any doubts.”

💬 What made you choose Vietnam as your teaching destination?

“Vietnam wasn’t on my list to be honest. However, when I was in the United States a friend of mine was talking about how anyone can start an English teaching career in Vietnam with a very good lifestyle as well, so I gave it a shot.”

💬 What’s the best thing about living and working as a teacher in Vietnam?

“Life here is really quiet and peaceful. I can say that Vietnam is easily one of my favourite countries, if it’s not the best.”

💬 Did you experience any cultural clashes when you first started working in Vietnam?

“To be honest, I didn’t feel any cultural conflicts or shocks because of my past experience.“

💬 What was your first week in Vietnam like?

“My first week in Vietnam or in Ninh Binh specifically, was amazing. I had a chance to visit 3 different spots and tasting traditional Vietnamese food was the best part of it.“

💬 Could you give us a glimpse of what a typical week looks like for you?

“Regarding a typical week in Vietnam. The majority of English teachers here work 20 to 25 hour per week, the same goes for me. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending my free time with my colleagues and friends.“

💬 How do you stay motivated as a foreign teacher living and working abroad?

“As a married man, I believe it’s a quite easy since you have your soulmate and life partner with you unlike my previous experiences where I was lonely.“

💬 Do you have any tips for teachers that wish to start teaching in Vietnam?

“My best advice to future colleagues is to never come to Vietnam without knowing every single detail regarding your contract. This is to avoid falling for certain misleading language relating to instructors’ perks such as salary – standard monthly salary, health insurance, and so on. These are the primary concerns that I think new teachers should have. “

💬 Do you have any tips about what to keep in mind for the work visa process for teaching in Vietnam?

“The most crucial thing is to get all paperwork legalized and notarized before traveling to Vietnam, because some individuals may try to con you for any non-legalized paper.“

💬 What’s next in store for you?

“As of now, I would like to stay here in Vietnam for at least 2-3 more years, and then I’ll have to see what God is planning for us.“

Conclusion

Vietnam is slowly turning into one of the most popular teaching destinations in Asia. With its combination of professional and personal opportunities, Vietnam is an excellent choice for English teachers looking for a rewarding and enjoyable teaching experience abroad.

Thanks to a fast-growing economy and a high demand for English language education as a result of the government’s emphasis on English education, Vietnam offers plenty of teaching opportunities for both native and non-native-speaking teachers alike.

Combine this with the low cost of living, relaxing lifestyle, and good salaries, and it’s no wonder that many teachers decide to take the leap and launch a teaching career in Vietnam.

However, before setting off on your new English teaching journey in Vietnam, it’s important that you first acquire the proper qualifications. Having an authenticated 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certificate is one of the requirements for obtaining a work visa under the current Vietnamese laws.

For more information about how to authenticate your 120-hour TESOL/TEFL for teaching in Vietnam, you can follow our Vietnam authentication guide.

If you too are ready to launch a teaching career in Vietnam, just like Hicham, then now is the perfect time to take the first step towards becoming a TESOL/TEFL certified English teacher.