Many university students in Da Nang choose to try their hand at different jobs to improve their skills and knowledge, as well as earn extra money. Among them is teaching assistant job that are chosen and pursued by university students.

A class located at K21/15 Nguyen Nhu Hanh, Hoa Minh Ward, Lien Chieu District is taught by a freelance teacher Tran Thi Co. Photo: D.P

This job requires students to assist lecturers and teachers in preparing materials, managing classes, and even guiding students to learn one-on-one or in small groups. In addition, the teaching assistant periodically notify parents of their children’s learning situation. Depending on the requirements of each training center, activities of teaching assistant changes weekly, thereby stimulating learners to reflect on what they are learning and engage in the lesson.

According to Tran Le Bao Han, a second year student, majoring in Korean Language of the Da Nang University of Foreign Languages, has worked as a teaching assistant at the AMES English School for two years. Daily her job is to help teacher bring learning tools to class, take attendance in her classroom, as well as help foreign teachers translate their intrusions into Vietnamese if Vietnamese learners don't understand what they say, and support learners to do their exercises. At the end of the session, the teaching assistant help teacher hand in homework for learners and wait for their parents to pick them up.

"This job is suitable to me as it relates to the major I'm studying. I think that working in an educational environment will be more suitable than working at a restaurant," added Han.

Huynh Ba Hoang Hung, a third year student of the Da Nang University of Science and Technology said: "I used to work as a teaching assistant at the Hoang Hang English school through my friend's recommendation. During the 90-minute class, I supported the teacher in managing the classroom, instructing assignments, and synthesizing bonus points for learners who volunteer to speak or do well. I chose this job with the purpose of improving my communication skills, conveying new knowledge to listeners and learners."

Meanwhile, Nguyen Ho Hoang Ngoc, a third-year student, majoring in Tourism and Travel of Duy Tan University, said he encountered many difficulties in his job as a teaching assistant.

According to Ngoc, his working shift lasts from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, with a wage of VND 50,000 per shift. "Teaching assistant job is quite interesting, but communication with learners is not always smooth as they are students grades 9 to 12 who have big egos and rarely listen to their teachers," Ngoc said.

In addition to paying attention to each learner in class, university students working as teaching assistants are required to welcome and discuss with parents of learners over the phone about make-up class schedules, tuition fees, or get requests for their children’s absences. Besides, the teaching assistant is required to participate in extracurricular activities in the park and going to the movies with learners by some training centers.

Ms. Tran Thi Co, a freelance teacher who teaches Math and Vietnamese at home located at K21/15 Nguyen Nhu Hanh, Hoa Minh Ward, Lien Chieu District remarked: "Students grades 1-9 will participate in 3 sessions per week, and each session lasts 2 hours. In my efforts to improve knowledge and skills for learners, as well as monitor their learning results, I has recruited a student from the University of Education to work as a teaching assistant to help me manage the class, and support learners who get bad grades in class to do exercises. She works quite well and support me effectively."

According to teacher Co, the teaching assistant job is suitable to students majoring in education, as it helps them to gain practical teaching experience, learn intuitive teaching methods, and improve their professional skills. In particular, the role of a teaching assistant is also very important, as they help the teacher to observe the classroom in an attempt to ensure the quality of each lesson, and they act as a bridge between learners and teacher in the classroom.

Reporting by DIEM PHAN – Translating by H.L