Can I work as a teacher of a language center in Vietnam with a college degree in the foreign language?

Can I work as a teacher of a language center in Vietnam with a college degree in the foreign language?

Pursuant to Article 18 of the Regulation on organization and operation of foreign language and computer training centers promulgated together with Circular 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT, stipulating position and standards of teachers as follows:

1. Teachers of foreign language and computer training centers are responsible for teaching and giving instructions on practice, and comprise tenured teachers, contract teachers, teachers being Vietnamese, teachers being native speakers (for each specific language) and foreigners.

2. A Vietnamese person is eligible for teaching computer science when they meet one of the following requirements:

a) Possessing at least a pedagogical college degree in computer science;

b) Possessing at least a college degree in computer science and a certificate in pedagogy.

3. A Vietnamese person is eligible for teaching a foreign language when they meet one of the following requirements:

a) Possessing at least a pedagogical college degree in the foreign language;

b) Possessing at least a college degree in the foreign language and a certificate in pedagogy.

4. A foreigner is eligible for teaching computer science when they possess at least a college degree in computer science and a suitable computer science teaching certificate.

5. A foreigner is eligible for teaching their native language when they possess at least a college degree and a suitable foreign language teaching certificate.

6. A foreigner is eligible for teaching a foreign language when they meet one of the following requirements:

a) Possessing at least a pedagogical college degree in the foreign language;

b) Possessing at least a college degree in the foreign language and a suitable foreign language teaching certificate;

c) Possessing at least a college degree, at least a level 5 certificate of language proficiency according to Vietnam's language proficiency framework or equivalent and a suitable foreign language teaching certificate.

Thus, a person with a college degree in the foreign language can still work as a teacher of a foreign language center but must have a foreign language teaching certificate in accordance with the law in Vietnam.

Is it necessary to have a university degree to be a director of a foreign language center in Vietnam?

According to Article 6 of the Regulation on organization and operation of foreign language and computer training centers, promulgated together with Circular 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT, director of a foreign language and computer training center is regulated as follows:

1. The director of a foreign language and computer training center shall directly manage the center and be answerable to the law and the supervisory authority for all activities of the center.

2. A person is eligible to become the director of a center when they satisfy all of the following requirements:

a) Possessing good records;

b) Possessing managerial capability;

c) Possessing a bachelor degree in a foreign language or a bachelor degree in any major and at least a level 3 certificate of language proficiency according to Vietnam's language proficiency framework or equivalent (for directors of foreign language training centers).

Possessing a bachelor degree in computer science or a bachelor degree in any major and a basic IT application certificate according to the IT skills standards or equivalent in compliance with existing regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training and Ministry of Information and Communications (for directors of computer training centers).

Directors of foreign language and computer training centers shall satisfy either of the abovementioned requirements.

d) Possessing experience in education and training.

3. Directors of the centers are appointed by the authorities with competence in center establishment. The authorities with competence in granting permission for center establishment shall decide to recognize directors of private centers and foreign-invested centers. The tenure of a director of a foreign language and computer training center is 05 years.

According to this Article, the director of a foreign language center must have a university degree and meet other conditions and standards specified above in Vietnam.

Can foreign language centers compile their teaching programs in Vietnam?  

In Article 13 of the Regulation on organization and operation of foreign language and computer training centers, promulgated together with Circular 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT, Teaching programs and materials are as follows:

1. Foreign language and computer training centers shall employ the programs promulgated by the Ministry of Education and Training; or compile or select programs and materials of higher education institutions, colleges and domestic and international educational organizations that meet learner’s needs and each center’s capacity.

2. The director of a foreign language and computer training center shall be answerable to the law and education authorities for contents of the teaching programs and materials of their center; and hold responsibilities for reporting the current teaching programs and materials to the head of the higher education institution or pedagogical college (if the center is an affiliate of such institution/college) or the head of the Department of Education and Training of the province where the center is located (for centers not affiliated to a higher education institution/pedagogical college).

Thus, the Foreign Language Center is entitled to compile or select teaching programs of higher education institutions and colleges; domestic and international educational organizations that meet learner’s needs and each center’s capacity.

Best Regards!