TEFL Courses & Certification in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

As someone coming from a long and established professional career, I wasn’t sure what to expect when enrolling in a TEFL certification course. Most TEFL marketing seems geared toward people in their twenties taking a gap year or looking for their first international experience. I quickly discovered that Ninja Teacher Academy offers something far more substantial. This program is valuable for people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are just starting your career, changing careers, or pursuing a lifelong dream of teaching abroad, the course provides an exceptional foundation for becoming an effective teacher. What impressed me most was the sheer amount of knowledge and practical skills packed into four intensive weeks. The course goes far beyond simply earning a certificate. Through teaching methodology, lesson planning, classroom management, observed teaching practice, and detailed feedback, trainees develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in a real classroom. Our trainer, Sadie, was outstanding. Her depth of knowledge, organization, professionalism, and ability to explain complex concepts clearly made a tremendous impact on my learning. She consistently challenged us to improve while creating a supportive environment where everyone could grow. The quality of her feedback and instruction was exceptional, and I consider her one of the best trainers I have worked with in any field. The support team was equally impressive. Gem, Leo, Mie, Ivy, and Samaira were always available, responsive, and genuinely invested in the success of the trainees. A special thank you goes to Gem, Leo, and Mie, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly throughout the intensive four-week program. Their kindness, professionalism, and positive attitudes made a lasting impression. What began as staff-trainee interactions quickly developed into genuine friendships, which speaks volumes about the welcoming culture at Ninja Teacher Academy. I would also like to recognize Alex, the founder of Ninja Teacher Academy. Rather than remaining distant from the program, he regularly stopped by to check on the trainees, see how the course was progressing, and personally gather feedback from students. His approachable nature and genuine interest in the trainee experience demonstrated a level of care and commitment that is not always found in educational organizations. It is clear that he has built a culture focused on quality, continuous improvement, and student success. By the end of the program, I felt confident in my ability to plan lessons, manage a classroom, and deliver engaging instruction. More importantly, I left with a much deeper appreciation for the profession of teaching and the skills required to do it well. I would highly recommend Ninja Teacher Academy to anyone considering a career in English language teaching, regardless of age or previous professional experience. The quality of the training, the dedication of the staff, and the supportive learning environment make it an outstanding choice for future teachers. Program: 10/10 Training Quality: 10/10 Support Staff: 10/10 Overall Experience: 10/10 A truly transformative experience that I would recommend without hesitation.

have taken English teaching courses in the past, which gives me a good point of comparison. No other course I’ve done is as good as this one! The materials are very thorough, covering all kinds of topics (all of which I deemed to be necessary). It covers everything from what motivates adults to learn, to how children thrive, to cultural clashes and international exams. They also provide you with lots of resources to use in your future lessons (websites, warm ups, concept check activities). And the fact that they advise you on one particular type of lesson planning makes it all the easier for you, so you don’t waste days planning a single lesson. While in Vietnam, the support was incredible. I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in such a short time. The classes I’ve observed proved kids love to learn English with this model in mind. And teaching with such good guidance became a memory I’ll never forget. I’m truly grateful and would highly recommend this course.

As a family of four—my husband, our two children aged 21 and 15, and myself—we left South Africa to build a new future in Cambodia as teachers. Determined to qualify, we enrolled in AVSE’s intensive one-month TESOL course in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, normally completed in six months. Our trainer, Michael Walsh, made the experience both rewarding and enjoyable. His thorough, engaging, and supportive teaching style kept us motivated through the demanding workload. We also benefited greatly from the expert advice of Peter Goudge, AVSE’s Managing Director. His guidance and encouragement were instrumental from enrollment to post-course planning, helping us navigate this life-changing move with confidence. Miss Mary and Miss Jing provided invaluable help with visas for both Vietnam and Cambodia, removing the stress of complex paperwork so we could focus on our studies. The journey has had its challenges, but it has been life-changing. With our TESOL certifications complete, we are now teaching in Cambodia—growing as educators, building a new life, and becoming a stronger, more united family in the process.

I would definitely recommend this course to people wanting to gain there TESOL certification. AVSE met my needs and much more, through the experience of Trainers/Teachers allowed me to learn so much. I found we were advised from the get go on what we needed to do regarding workload and how to manage that. AVSE provided a conducive environment to learning. Thanks so much AVSE!

XploreAsia's team was wonderful and helped my wife and I through the process of moving to and eventually teaching English in Vietnam. They were always professional and more importantly, gave us confidence every step of the way. I would highly recommend them for anyone considering teaching English in a foreign country.

Completing the TESOL course with AVSE was one of the best decisions I’ve made. From the very beginning, the team was incredibly supportive — not just in delivering a well-structured and practical curriculum, but also in making sure we felt equipped, confident, and cared for throughout the process. The trainers were knowledgeable, patient, and deeply passionate about teaching. They created a space where I could grow, ask questions, make mistakes, and try again. Beyond the classroom theory, the course gave me hands-on teaching experience and real-world tools that I know I’ll carry with me throughout my teaching career. As someone taking a bold step into a new chapter of life and work in Southeast Asia, AVSE didn’t just prepare me to teach English — they laid a strong, holistic foundation for my professional journey. Their guidance, encouragement, and belief in their students have been invaluable, and I leave this experience not only with a qualification but with a sense of clarity, purpose, and direction. I’m truly grateful to the AVSE team for their unwavering support and for helping me begin this exciting journey.

AVSE-TESOL was not the English language teacher training center closest to where I lived in Ho Chi Minh City. Nevertheless, after completing some market research, I chose AVSE-TESOL because of its strong reputation for its English language teacher training program and quality student reviews. In hindsight, AVSE-TESOL turned out to be an excellent choice! Together with a group of other potential English teachers, over a period of one month I went through 150 hours of study/training, including classroom instruction, written work, practical teaching, and classroom observation. I had the pleasure of being taught by several capable instructors, all of whom were knowledgeable, enthusiastic about what they were teaching, proactive in generating student involvement, and supportive when students found themselves on new and unfamiliar ground such as public speaking or teacher scenario playing. Less than a month after I had completed my studies and had earned my Certificate IV in TESOL, AVSE-TESOL was instrumental in helping me find a teaching position. Six years later, I am still teaching at the same school. For those interested in entering the world of teaching English in Vietnam or Cambodia, without hesitation I recommend AVSE-TESOL.

I would highly recommend XploreAsia’s Vietnam programme. I had guidance from start to finish, and the cultural orientation was a real stand-out. I felt a lot more prepped for living and working in Vietnam !

Has been to Europe, but never been to, let alone lived in Asia. Vietnam was great, and the team that helped me, not just on my way there, but also while I'm Vietnam was great as well. Brand new experience, that was playing heavy on my mind, but I know I made the right decision.

I loved everything, that I had to do with the course. I don’t regret a thing and, I love the guidance I received. I had the best trainer. He is really good at what he does and, he shouldn’t stop. The staff at AVSE-Ho Chi Mihn City are really polite, caring and they made sure that, I had everything I needed.

This program is rigorous but you learn so much in just one month, as well as a wealth of first-hand experience. The staff was experienced and friendly and I made some great friends. Highly recommend the course to anyone who wants to travel and teach!

AVSE is a good choice for TESOL course. The instructor and the AVSE staff is very friendly and supportive.AVSE staff is very helpful while taking teaching practice classes.In future i would like to recommend AVSE to other people.

Mick, Mary and Merinda are all highlights of the program. They kept things running smoothly and were a joy to work with! I feel ready to be a teacher because of them! The program was very informative, I feel informed.

AVSE was a great experience and offers amazing knowledge about ESL teaching AND how to navigate Vietnam. The course is pretty consistent with the schedule and generous with breaks throughout the day. This location specifically offers many places to grab drinks & food if you get hungry. I felt safe and comfortable within the facility. Overall, I enjoyed my time at AVSE!

AVSE-TESOL is truly a beacon of excellence for anyone looking to begin a rewarding journey in the TEFL/ESL industry. The program is masterfully crafted, providing a seamless blend of comprehensive course content, practical training, and unparalleled support. The curriculum is rich, up-to-date, and immensely practical, covering vital teaching methodologies, classroom management strategies, and ways to engage learners across all CEFR levels. The practice teaching sessions were transformative, offering invaluable hands-on experience with students ranging from A1 to B2 levels, which significantly boosted my confidence and refined my skills. The trainers deserve high praise for their expertise, approachability, and dedication. Their insightful feedback and exceptional lesson plan guidance ensured that every step of the learning process was engaging, structured, and student-focused. AVSE’s assistance was a standout feature, guiding me from visa processing to arrival and completion of program with solid support. The facilities and resources provided were top-notch, from comfortable accommodations to modern, well-equipped classrooms, making the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. Without a doubt, AVSE-TESOL has set a gold standard in teacher training, earning a perfect 5/5 rating in every aspect.

I've been blown away by the immense support, knowledge, and accurate guidance of the Ninja Teacher team since day 1 of enrolling into their in person TEFL program. Each step of the way, from organizing documents to ensure a smooth arrival and stay in Vietnam (my hometown is California), to learning the foundations of delivering a high quality, effective, and fun lesson plan and everything in-between, I felt unbelievably supported. Moving abroad and entering a new career are two massive life transitions and Ninja Teacher made the process and my experience seamless and doable. I cannot thank the team enough for playing such a pivotal role in this new, exciting chapter in my life. Highly recommend the in- person course. You will 100% be in the BEST of hands.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the TESOL program here @ AVSE. It was indeed very enlightening and helpful in starting my career as an ESL teacher. The curriculum was presented in a manner that enabled me to grasp the concepts of the course material and properly apply the information provided to me by my instructor. I was able to create a variety of in-depth lesson plans and was given the opportunity to present them in a real-life classroom environment. I found this to be extremely beneficial in building my confidence and skillset. In my experience at AVSE, there was always someone willing and able to assist me with every concern that I had. The instructor- Mr. Mick was very attentive to each individual in his classroom and provided advice about assignments and also provided answers to questions and concerns about living in Ho Chi Minh City. His advice and help were instrumental in my success in the program. From the very beginning of my journey through this course, I was assisted by Ms. Mary who was dedicated to ensuring my safe arrival to HCMC, she personally showed me the location of accommodation in proximity to the location of the school. She made sure that I was well taken care of throughout my stay in HCMC- all concerns from finding a nearby ATM machine to receiving help with creating a CV was provided to me. When it was time to present my lesson in the classroom, the teachers were very receptive and Ms. Anna gave fair observation reports for each class that I taught with expertise advice in areas of improvement and areas in which I exceled. Ms. Anna and Ms. Heather were an intricate part of assisting me with my lesson plan preparation. They advised me as what information was pertinent in presenting and helped me to understand how to go about presenting the lesson plan for my future students. Overall, I found this course to be extremely beneficial, not only from the perspective of gaining a TESOL certificate, but also from the perspective of conquering a new and challenging experience with the help of the dedicated staff and administration at AVSE. It was a pleasure learning from and engaging with everyone associated with AVSE, to include Ms. Miranda and the teachers whom I was able to meet and work with in their classrooms. Working with the brilliant students at AVSE has been such a rewarding, unforgettable and amazing experience that will remain with me forever.

AVSE is a great place to study TESOL. The course is well-organized, with a good balance of theory and practice. The trainers are very kind, helpful, and always ready to support students. The classrooms are modern and comfortable, making it a nice place to learn. I really liked the focus on real teaching practice. It gave me the chance to try out what I learned and feel more confident as a teacher. The staff is also very friendly, which made the experience even better. If you want a good TESOL course with strong support and real teaching practice, I highly recommend AVSE

I unreservedly recommend Ninja Teacher to anyone considering embarking on a TEFL journey. With over 20 years of experience in education, training practitioners in facilitation, and delivering courses across 18 countries, I approach such programmes with a healthy degree of scepticism. Yet, my four weeks at Ninja Teacher proved to be a humbling and transformative growth experience that I will carry forward into my professional life. With the help of the team at Ninja Teacher, I secured the perfect job within 10 working day of graduating, an I was one of the slowest students to find a job! Making the decision to enrol wasn’t easy. Sitting on my sofa in the UK, literally on the other side of the world, parting with my hard-earned money felt like a leap of faith. But I can confidently say it was worth every single quid—and more. Alex's claims on his YouTube videos, which I scrutinised closely, hold true within the context of this remarkable programme. The training itself is of the highest calibre I have ever encountered. Sadie, in particular, is nothing short of a master of her craft—I doff my hat to her. The curriculum is exceptionally well-structured, practical, and engaging, equipping you with not only the tools to teach but the confidence to thrive. Not to mention the practical value of the real class observations and live solo teaching opportunities provided—daunting at first, but ultimately the most rewarding and life-changing experiences of the programme. The team at Ninja Teacher are an endless source of support and local knowledge. Miranda, Gem, Chi, and Semaira went above and beyond, offering invaluable recommendations for everything from tailors to tennis lessons, spinning classes, and, of course, Miranda's beloved restaurants and bars. Their warmth and guidance make settling into Ho Chi Minh City a seamless experience. That said, Ho Chi Minh City is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a vibrant, fast-paced, and occasionally overwhelming environment, but if you bring your agility and adaptability, the rewards are immense. The city brims with energy, opportunity, and adventure. For those feeling stuck in a rut, yearning for new skills that can be used anywhere in the world, or simply seeking a bit of excitement, I urge you to sign up for the Ninja Teacher TEFL programme. I have no words to fully express my gratitude to the Ninja Teacher team—you will all forever hold a special place in my heart. With the help of the team at Ninja Teacher, it took me exactly 10 working days from graduating to secure the perfect job—and I was one of the slowest students to find a position! Take the leap; you won’t be disappointed!

The course was enlightening and engaging, providing valuable insights into the field of education. The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, fostering a conducive learning environment. I feel inspired to apply what I've learned and further my educational journey. Thank you for this enriching experience!