Top Interview Questions Foreign Teachers Often Face

When applying for teaching jobs in Vietnam, foreign teachers are evaluated not only on their teaching qualifications but also on their classroom management skills, adaptability, cultural awareness, and long-term commitment.

To help you prepare, here is a comprehensive list of the most common interview questions for ESL teachers in Vietnam, organized by different assessment categories.

1. Personal Background & Motivation

• Can you introduce yourself?
• Why did you choose to teach in Vietnam?
• What attracts you to teaching English?
• What do you hope to achieve in your teaching career here?
• How long do you plan to stay in Vietnam?
   

2. Qualifications & Certifications

• What teaching certifications do you hold? (TESOL, TEFL, CELTA, PGCE, etc.)
• Is your degree related to education or languages?
• Have you completed any formal teacher training programs?
• Do you have experience with online teaching?
• Have you attended professional development workshops or conferences?
   

3. Teaching Experience

• In which countries have you taught before?
• Which age groups have you taught the most?
• What is the largest class size you have managed?
• Have you taught exam preparation classes (IELTS, TOEIC, Cambridge exams)?
• Have you worked in public schools, international schools, or language centers?
   

4. Teaching Methodology

• What teaching methods do you prefer?
• How do you keep students engaged during lessons?
• How do you usually prepare your lesson plans?
• Are you familiar with student-centered learning?
• How do you incorporate games or group activities into your lessons?
   

5. Classroom Management

• How do you manage a large class of students?
• What would you do if students are distracted or not paying attention?
• How do you maintain discipline in your classroom?
• How do you handle uncooperative or disruptive students?
• Have you ever taught classes with mixed English proficiency levels? How did you handle it?
   

6. Student Engagement & Relationship-Building

• How do you build positive relationships with your students?
• How do you encourage shy students to participate?
• Do you have experience teaching young learners (kindergarten, primary)?
• How would you respond to a parent who complains about their child’s progress?
• Have you ever taught students with special educational needs?
   

7. Cultural Adaptability & Teamwork

• Have you lived or worked in another culture before?
• What do you think will be the biggest challenge of teaching in Vietnam?
• How would you collaborate with local teachers?
• Are you willing to join extracurricular school events and activities?
• Are you flexible in adapting lessons to local cultural contexts?
   

8. Commitment & Long-Term Goals

• How long do you plan to teach in Vietnam?
• What are your career goals for the next five years?
• Would you be open to extending your contract if offered?
• What makes you stay with a school long-term?
• What do you expect from your employer to help you succeed?
   

9. Problem-Solving & Scenario-Based Questions

• How would you deal with a student who constantly disrupts the class?
• What would you do if a student didn’t understand any English at all?
• How would you react if students resisted your teaching methods?
• What would you do if you had a conflict with a colleague about teaching approaches?
• How would you handle being asked to cover another class at short notice?

10. Expectations & Feedback

• What kind of support do you expect from the school or center?
• What are your expectations for the work environment here?
• What are your salary and benefits expectations?
• How do you prefer to receive feedback from supervisors?
• Would you be interested in joining teacher training programs provided by the school?

Interviewers in Vietnam look beyond teaching certificates, they assess teaching strategies, classroom management, adaptability, teamwork, and long-term commitment. By familiarizing yourself with these common interview questions for ESL teachers in Vietnam, you can prepare more effectively and make a strong impression during your job interview.