Apollo IH Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is a large group of language schools predominantly based in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In each city there are a number of branches, each with 8 – 12 classrooms, well-resourced teachers rooms, and modern reception areas with grassy knolls and reading areas where parents can wait after dropping off their kids.

Most of the english language students at each branch are young learners, so there is a real buzz and excitement to the centres when they are coming and going from class. As a teacher, or as a trainee teacher, you can’t help to feel the excitment and energy!

The centre in District 3 is where teacher training happens. This is about equidistant between the airport and the city centre in a local, residential area. Should you have time at the weekend and be looking for more action, it’ll take you about 20-25 minutes to head south into the cosmopolitan District 1, home of HCMC’s famous restaurants and nightlife.

What is the CELTA?

The CELTA is a TEFL qualification which prepares you to teach English as a foreign language. You don’t need any existing English language teaching experience or training. It’s usually a 4 or 5 week full time course (but you can also take it part time).

Standing up in front of a class for the first time is a daunting prospect, so you need to make sure you have the skills you need to teach effectively. The CELTA prepares you for the classroom in these ways:

1. Taught sessions on methodology, lesson planning, language analysis and language skills. (In total, you’ll have 120 hours of input.)
2. The opportunity to observe experienced teachers in a real-life language classroom situations – so you can see the different skills and techniques they use.
3. Teaching yourself – with helpful and detailed feedback from your tutors. This practical experience is invaluable when you start your first job.

You’ll have to complete some written assignments as well, but when it’s all successfully completed you’ll be ready for your first job and first students!

Read more about the CELTA here

CELTA at IH Ho Chi Minh City

Having operated as a Cambridge CELTA centre for well over 10 years, we train around 180-200 new teachers per year on Apollo International House CELTA courses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Our experienced team of trainers have worked with trainees from all corners of the world, helping brand new as well as experienced teachers to increase their confidence and competence within the classroom. We are proud to uphold the Cambridge standard for teaching quality and will always go the extra mile to support our hardworking trainees through what can be a demanding course.

The centre has a bright and modern environment for study, with fully equipped classrooms containing whiteboards, computers, projectors and sometimes interactive whiteboards.

There is a ‘CELTA trainee room’ available in the evenings and weekends with computers, printers, reference books and resources to aid in lesson preparation. Trainees also have access to a photocopier while preparing for class. Light refreshments (coffee, tea and biscuits) are provided every day. Trainees will also have access to a kitchen, fridge and hot water if they wish to bring their own food.

What will fellow students be like?

Although the CELTA is an entry-level qualification, you will likely find yourself on the course with both trainees who have never taught before and those with several years of teaching experience. Our trainees come from a variety of backgrounds and countries the world over. You will usually find a mix of native and non-native speakers on our courses. The majority of our trainees are in their 20s and 30s but we have had trainees anywhere from 19-to-65 years old.

We truly believe that this mix of personalities and experiences generally makes for a unique and extremely beneficial learning environment.

The CELTA is internationally recognised and will open doors to employment opportunities around the world. Right now is a particularly good time to be an English teacher in Vietnam and we can say with certainty that our trainees will have no problem finding employment in either Hanoi or HCMC. There are many options for employment in language centres, local public schools and beyond. Towards the end of the course, we will be happy to offer advice to our trainees on reputable schools in the local area.

Apollo International House is a large language school with around 30 centres nationwide and growing! As a result, Apollo have regular opportunities for CELTA-qualified teachers to join their team. Apollo will give successful CELTA trainees a 12,800,000 VND refund on their course fees if they sign a full-time 12-month contract with Apollo within the last month of completing their CELTA course.

This offer depends on job availability and a successful job interview. The money will be refunded in two halves – in the first salary payment and at the end of the contract.