Volunteering for ABVN since December 2017, I have seen about 170 Vietnamese learners, ranging in age from 11 to 67-years, some of them more than 75 times. My "official" contribution is helping students build confidence by improving their English pronunciation, but there is so much more. As we meet week after week, and share the "ups and downs" of our lives, student and teacher develop friendships, gain a deeper understanding of our respective cultures and share our multi-generational experiences. It is worthwhile and fun! For prospective students and teachers, if you’re up for it, give it a try, it could change your life.

Conversations and discussions with ABVN students are very rewarding. I really enjoy my interactions with students as it provides an opportunity to learn and discover more about a country that I have never visited while providing students the opportunity to converse with a native English speaker. The students are all engaged, motivated and hard working in their desire to improve their English skills.

The A Better Viet Nam project is an invaluable resource which enables students to develop their speaking and listening skills, and their level of understanding, by engaging in conversation with native

"A Better Vietnam" is more than "English for Vietnamese": it develops a dialogue across language and culture that can enhance human understanding in profound ways. I am excited by this electronic opportunity to help students gain more English and understand a little more about America as well.

My enjoyment comes from teaching a large number of students who inspire me with their energy and enthusiasm for learning. They are very grateful to have teachers who are dedicated in their desire to improve their English speaking and pronunciation skills. I am honored to be a member of the ABVN team.

Since becoming a volunteer teacher with A Better Viet Nam i have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people, from the dedicated team running the project to the enthusiastic hard working students. I have made many Vietnamese friends across the country and learnt so much about Viet Nam and its culture. Now whenever I travel around the country I have friends and students to meet and this connection has opened the door to experiences I could not have had otherwise. I am sure I am the one achieving most benefit from my involvement with A Better Viet Nam.

Teaching with ABVN has been a very enjoyable experience. The students are all self-motivated, optimistic, and so delighted to have contact with a native English speaker. Their enthusiasm is contagious! Even though I am not a teacher by profession, I have found that just by speaking, listening, and giving the students feedback on their English skills I can help them gain confidence and improve their level of fluency. Through our conversations, I have learned a great deal about Vietnamese culture and met many people I now consider friends.

I have been teaching with ABVN as a volunteer since May 2025. At last count, I have had about 140 sessions. From the beginning, I have been very pleased with the students' enthusiasm and dedication. Their level of English is quite high, and they are usually able to converse about almost any subject. I particularly enjoy meeting with the Engineering and Information Technology students. My focus is on building confidence, so the students can have a conversation with a native English speaker without hesitation. While the pronunciation of all the words might not be perfect, I want the students to realize that it is acceptable to make errors and that we will learn from them. I have learned a great deal about Vietnam (the differences between the North, Central, and South, and between urban and rural areas). I developed strong friendships with many of the students and look forward to our weekly lessons

Volunteering for ABVN since December 2017, I have seen about 650 Vietnamese learners, ranging in age from 11 to 67-years, some of them more than 75 times. My "official" contribution is helping students build confidence by improving their English pronunciation, but there is so much more. As we meet week after week, and share the "ups and downs" of our lives, student and teacher develop friendships, gain a deeper understanding of our respective cultures and share our multi-generational experiences. It is worthwhile and fun! For prospective students and teachers, if you’re up for it, give it a try, it could change your life.

Teaching English online to ABVN students in Vietnam on a one to one basis has been a valuable experience. Working individually with each student allowed me to tailor instruction to their specific goals, proficiency levels, and learning styles. This personalized approach strengthened student engagement and supported steady, measurable progress in speaking, listening, and overall communication skills. The students demonstrated dedication and professionalism, balancing their studies with work and personal responsibilities while maintaining a commitment to improvement. Through these individualized sessions, I refined my ability to design targeted online lessons, provide clear feedback, and adapt teaching strategies to meet diverse needs. I am grateful for the opportunity to support each student’s development and to contribute to their continued success in English.

Teaching with A Better Vietnam has been a purposeful journey. My overall experience has been positive, as the organisation creates a supportive environment where teachers and students grow together. I’m consistently impressed by Vietnamese students. They are respectful, and eager to learn, even when they feel shy at first. Over time, I’ve seen many of them become more confident in speaking, clearer in pronunciation, and more natural in conversation. Knowing that I’ve helped them express themselves more freely through critical thinking is deeply rewarding. Personally, I’ve gained a richer appreciation of Vietnamese culture, built warm friendships, and enjoyed many moments of laughter in class. This experience has reminded me that teaching is not just about language skills, but about connection, offering encouragement, and a shared learning cross culturally.