Head of Mandarin Chinese

Date: 10 Nov 2025

Location:Ho Chi Minh City, VN

Job ID: 7621

School: British International School Ho Chi Minh City

Company: Nord Anglia Education

British International School, HCMC

At the British International School, Ho Chi Minh City (BIS HCMC), we believe in a holistic education that fosters a love of learning, and which balances academic success with character development and wellbeing. We are a Nord Anglia Education School and the largest international school in Vietnam, educating over 2,400 students from more than 55 countries. In our most recent BSO Inspection, in November 2022, the school was rated 'Outstanding in all Categories' by the British Government. Our students achieve some of the best examination results in the world and go on to attend the top universities globally.

Our three campuses, located in the heart of Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, cater to students from 2 to 18 years of age. Split by age group, each purpose-built campus is home to state-of-the-art facilities, packed with interactive technology, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

The school is currently looking to recruit a:

Head of Mandarin Chinese

BIS HCMC requires a Head of Mandarin Chinese for August 2026 onward. The ideal candidate will have experience in teaching and leading Mandarin Chinese to Key Stage 5 level, with IBDP experience a distinct advantage.

The Head of Mandarin Chinese works with the two other subject leads in the MFL department (Spanish and French) under the direction of the Head of MFL. The Head of Mandarin Chinese leads a team of dedicated teachers and a language assistant in an exciting and challenging role with excellent opportunities for leadership development and growth.

The ManadarinChinese Department functions within a very vibrant and creative MFL Department at BIS, where French and Spanish are also offered to students. Collaboration and cooperation amongst students and staff are key to its success. The teaching of Mandarin Chinese takes place in purpose built classrooms which were fully renovated to include the very latest technology and student furniture. Lessons are lively and communicative. Teachers are able to use a significant amount of the target language and students are very responsive and open to using foreign languages.

Although the Mandarin Chinese department operates as a small team, it does so in line with other Modern Foreign Languages in the school, under the direction of the Head of MFL. Students tend to opt for a language in Primary and carry on with the language into Secondary, with most of them opting to continue with the language into their IGCSE and IBDP examinations. Student outcomes, at all levels are outstanding.

Please refer to the BIS HCMC Teaching Post 2026- for further information.

Why Choose BIS HCMC?

Our teachers are at the heart of all that we do, and you'll relish working in our diverse school community, where everyone acts with respect, care, and integrity. On each of our three purpose-built campuses, world-class facilities will bring your teaching to life, inspiring every student to fall in love with learning. Additionally, we are proud Institutional Members of the Chartered College of Teaching.

This recognises our commitment to evidence-informed teaching and learning, and CPL. Institutional membership ensures our pedagogical approaches remain up to date and reinforces the value we place on a strong professional learning community.

BIS HCMC offers a bespoke blend of British and International curricula, whilst balancing academic success and holistic development, therefore, unlocking a whole world of possibilities for our students. Our primary students follow the English National Curriculum blended with the thematic and interactive International Primary Curriculum and achieve outstanding outcomes. In Secondary, our students continue with the English National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 in preparation for their IGCSEs and later, the rigorous IB Diploma Programme. Our 2025 cohort of 107 IBDP graduates achieved an average score of 36.4 points, significantly higher than the global average of 30.3 points, with 28% of our students achieving 40 points or more and 1 student achieving a perfect score of 45. Our students are equally successful at IGCSE. Our 2025 cohort of 128 students achieved 69% of grades at A*/A with 97% of our students achieving A* - C in 5 or more subjects and 39 students achieving A*/A grades across all their subjects.

Beyond academics, we have an exceptional enrichment programme with over 100 Co-Curricular activities and expeditions both in Vietnam and globally that help our students overcome challenges, build confidence, create lifelong memories and change to the communities around them.

Further information about BIS HCMC can be obtained from our website at

Safer recruitment: We are committed to providing a world-class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people are able to thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils irrespective of race, ability, religion, gender or culture.

All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to rigorous national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years.

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging: BIS HCMC is committed to fostering an inclusive community that promotes our core values of integrity, care and respect. We celebrate diversity, nurture equity and value individuality to ensure everyone experiences a sense of belonging.

Nord Anglia Education

When you join BIS HCMC, you'll become part of the Nord Anglia global community of more than 15,000 people working together to support our students' success. As part of Nord Anglia Education (NAE), we offer you unsurpassed opportunities to innovate and develop best practice, and you'll have access to outstanding continuous professional learning including our award-winning Nord Anglia University platform, with hundreds of courses at your fingertips. At a Nord Anglia school, you will have opportunities to progress more, learn more, and collaborate more. In addition, we offer career and development opportunities that come with being part of our global organisation. Our collaborations with The Juilliard School, MIT, and UNICEF offers our teachers unrivalled access to leading experts in their fields. We also offer selected candidates from our staff worldwide an opportunity to earn their Executive Master's in International Education in an exclusive collaboration with King's College London.

Selection Process

The closing date for applications is Friday 28th November 2025 although we encourage early applications and reserve the right to pursue good applications as soon as we are ready.

Please apply for this vacancy using our recruitment portal operated by Success Factors. You will need to upload a letter of application and an up-to-date CV, which must include the contact details of three educational referees, one of whom must be your current Principal.

Interviews: will beconducted online

Start Date: We offer a professional working environment and an attractive remuneration and benefits package. The initial contract is for 2 years with a start date of August 2026

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Job Description

Please refer to the Job Description via this link BIS HCMC Head of Mandarin Job Description