Expat Teachers In Vietnam: Making A Difference In Every Vietnamese Child’s Life

To say teaching is only a profession is an understatement. While it’s true, there’s more to spending hours with a bunch of enthusiastic and curious minds than meets the eye.

Teaching is a calling. And as the Chinese proverb says, “If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.”

It goes without saying that none of us could land our fancy job titles today if it weren’t for our teachers who gave their hearts full of patience and understanding, with courage and passion.

As cliche as it may sound, a good teacher is like a candle — it consumes itself to light the way for others. While they usually enjoy a generous salary, benefits, and paid vacation days, the joy of sacrificial giving is priceless.

It’s true, being a teacher means having to carry heavy responsibilities, but what makes it fulfilling is when the student’s achievements are not solely theirs to celebrate. It is a teacher’s joy, too.

In celebration of Vietnamese Teachers’ Day, we reached out to a few foreign teachers who have, in more ways than one, touched and improved the lives of the young Vietnamese generation. We asked them what brought them to Vietnam and the best part about their job. They also shared their fondest memories with their students.

To all educators, foreigners and locals, thank you for your service. This day is for you!

Ryan Cooper

Originally from the US, Ryan is a 39-year-old English teacher focused on speaking, reading, and communication. Prior to coming to Vietnam, he taught in Phnom Penh, Cambodia but decided to cross the border and move to Ho Chi Minh City and teach here instead. Ryan also spent a few years teaching in South Korea and Thailand.

“My goal when teaching students is to prepare them for the global marketplace,” he said. “If they can speak English proficiently, it should benefit them in the workforce.”

Ryan said what he loves most about his profession: “I think what I love most about teaching is that I get to hear from students their dreams and aspirations.”

Fondest memory as a teacher in Vietnam:

As a teacher, my fondest memories in Vietnam are of when the students make me laugh. Students can be so clever, witty, and funny. I appreciate these moments in the classroom the most.

Claude Diaz

When Claude decided to move abroad and hone his skills, he chose Vietnam because of its rich and diverse culture, which “offers myriads of opportunities to cultivate” his profession.

Claude teaches ESL (English as a Second Language) at Vinschool Central Park in HCMC.

To Claude, teaching goes beyond the four-walled classrooms. “What I love most about my profession is that every day offers a different opportunity to mold young minds and make a difference in their lives,” he shared. While it’s his responsibility to teach, he also gets something to live by every time.

Fondest memory as a teacher in Vietnam:

My profession as a teacher in Vietnam benefits my students and my fellow Filipino teachers. Currently, I am the leader of the SAPI-Education sector, which primarily caters to the welfare of Filipino teachers in the country. I am glad that through this community, we can help other teachers in any way possible.

Tamryn Johnson

Unlike most overseas workers who plan their trips abroad, 24-year-old Tamryn left her hometown in South Africa in 2018 after her now-mother-in-law decided to book her and her then-boyfriend, now-husband, tickets to Vietnam.

“I ended up in Vietnam by chance,” she told Vietcetera. After the tickets were booked, they “told us to pack our bags and we’re going.”

Fortunately, she was hired as an English teacher through AMA Vung Tau and taught mainly in public schools on the southern beach island. A natural with kids, Tamryn instantly found a home in Vietnam, teaching not only English but the basics of life.

“What I love most about my profession is seeing my kids progress and get so good at another language,” she said.

Fondest memory as a teacher in Vietnam:

One of my fondest memories is hearing one of my grade 2 kids ask me a question in perfect English but using a South African accent. It was great!

JP Opperman

Also from South Africa, JP is Tamryn’s husband and co-recipient of the surprise trip to Vietnam. “By picking a new place I’d never been to and decided to move there on a whim,” he said.

JP also taught English in public schools in Ho Chi Minh City’s closest beach access through AMA Vung Tau. And he hosted school events, too.

“What I love most is being a kid with the kids, it reminds me to be young and carefree sometimes because just as they learn from me, I learn from them,” JP shared.

Fondest memory as a teacher in Vietnam:

My fondest memory is building bonds with all my kids, having them be so comfortable they talk about anything and everything with me.

Daryl Ann

Twenty-six-year-old Daryl Ann started teaching ESL in the Philippines until one of her Vietnamese students gave her the idea to fly to Vietnam and teach in-person classes. And three years later, Daryl teaches Social Studies at the Asian International School and English at AEG STEAM English.

“I can’t teach every child in the world, but I can make a difference for the ones I teach,” she said. “The impact I have on their lives can stay with them throughout their years of schooling and beyond.”

Fondest memory as a teacher in Vietnam:

I taught Kindy class in a language center. One time, I played a game with my students and brought three medals with me for the students who won the game in that class. The next day, one student brought his own medal and wore it in class. I assumed he asked his Mom/Dad to buy one for him and show it to his classmates. It made me realize that the little things you do in your class will always impact the students.

Conor Flaherty

Conor, originally from Ireland, is an English and Science teacher at the Asian International School. He’s 26 years old and has been based in Vietnam for nearly two years. “I came to Vietnam after hearing positive experiences and stories from friends and acquaintances who traveled and worked in Vietnam as teachers,” he said.

To Conor, working with kids, as they have great energy and are full of life, is the best part about his job. “It is a nice feeling helping students learn and develop, which is why teaching is a pleasant profession.”

Fondest memory as a teacher in Vietnam:

One of my fondest experiences was going to the school’s front gate to enter, and the grade 1 students were there with their class teacher, excited to see me and shout my name. It is hard not to smile when you see students happy.

Kat Olan

When Kat first came to Vietnam, it was for pleasure and to enjoy the country’s beauty. However, weeks became indefinite when she fell in love with Vietnam and the quality of life here. (Because really, who wouldn’t?)

After that, job opportunities came, and that was the time she decided to stay. Considering that the cost of living is also cheaper compared to the Philippines, it was an easy decision to make.

Based in Vung Tau, Kat is a lecturer and Student Affairs Manager at the Imperial International Hotel College. On top of that, she’s also the main lecturer for the Customer Service in the Hospitality Industry module.

As a lecturer and a Student Affairs manager simultaneously, Kat’s job requires her to interact with students more than any other college faculty member. And to her, “that is what I love the most because I have the opportunity to also learn from the students and understand them, not just academically, but more on a personal level. It is a challenging responsibility, but I enjoy it because I get to contribute to the student’s development and hopefully inspire them to pursue their dream careers in the future.”

Fondest memory as a teacher in Vietnam:

There are a lot of good memories, especially on special occasions. But, one unforgettable memory happened just last year when I had the chance to teach students of all levels, from kindergarten to college level, and even working professionals. It was really tough switching from beginner to adult learners every day as I had to apply an entirely different approach and teaching methodology for each class. However, I found it fulfilling, and I also learned a lot from that experience.