n nov 2003, i was told that rv hanoi needed a teacher for math and physics. having idled for ten months, i took up the post and flew to hanoi. on the first day, i was brought to the centre and asked to start lesson the very evening. i couldn't and asked if i can start the next day instead. i was to teach 'a' levels math and physics. i was to picked up everything i've learnt during jc within a short time and teach. it was tough! moreover, my teaching hours exceeded thirty. i had to teach everyday, except sunday, for four to eight hours. the students were cleverer than i thought. i was outwitted by diligent university and high school students. i was not sure if i could survive there. i had thought of giving up on the second day but one class changed my mind because of those humorous and interactive students.

I persevered on, 'smoking' my way on many occasions through the first few months. i was not a good teacher but i did my best. roel, my only teacher-colleague, told me that it was only two months more before this peak period ends. everyday was class after class and i was tired out, not physically but mentally and emotionally.

Vietnamese students are clever. the students i met have strong foundation in math and physics, with knowledge even better than what we learnt in jc. it was a pro then, that they understand easily what i teach, but their questions are difficult and challenging. i have prayed in each class that no difficult qn be asked as it would be embarrassing not being able to answer. however, i have been asked many questions which i have no answer to, and students remain respectful.

The teaching materials used were not of suitable quality. they were photocopied from an assessment book easily bought at the popular bookshop. since vietnam has no copyright laws (or maybe there is, but no one enforces them), it was easy -- simply buy a book from the bookshop, photocopy and there, you have the materials. the books were too easy for the students, even some jc tutorials questions were easy for them. they asked for more challenging questions and i have limited resources. i did asked for a numbers of new materials in the end and it would take some time before the materials get properly organised. to think each student paid about four to six hundred usd to get such materials in turn, it is a shame! the teaching job in xi'an has given me a bad impression and my boss assured me that rv hanoi has a better established system. but i don't see a difference, everything is still in a mess.

Teaching in vietnam is always challenging. not only is the materials in a mess, there is no proper programme structure, timings, plans etc. on many occasions, classes commence without prior notice to teachers. even the training manager knows not what is going on. there is no systematic planning and it leads to many frustrations. the office manager decides the programme duration and teachers are expected to come out with a syllabus and teaching materials according to it. it is totally nonsensical!

My happier times in hanoi are properly with the students and the office staffs. the students are easy to communicate and interact with. we went on outings and usually students offered to pay for the teachers. they are not critical about my teaching ability and since my boss and manager never appraise my teaching, i have little to worry. i enjoyed chatting with the staffs and picking up vietnamese from them.

I stayed alone in a small hotel located along a food street. it is a good location being in the central of the city. In april 2004, my family paid a visit to hanoi. we went touring to halong bay and around hanoi. on most off days, i went around on foot, usually to hoan kiem lake and the old quarter. Occasionally there are film festivals when tickets are given out free. i have always longed for an open and quiet spot in hanoi where i can come back to myself, but i never did find one.

Hanoi is a place i never really liked. i experienced loneliness, got ill several times, and lost my money twice. however I realised the reason when i ended up here - so i can learn to change my outlook and accept everything for what they are. in a society where there is not guarantee that everything would work out, i have to let go and sail along with the flow. in a way it made me more relaxed - i am less affected by what happens around me. perhaps that's how the vietnamese remain positive despite the many wars they underwent.

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