Need a step-by-step implementation roadmap

In the past 10 years, the implementation of foreign language teaching and learning in Vietnam has developed very rapidly, especially in regions with favorable socio-economic conditions and large cities. Along with the development in scale, the quality of teaching and learning has also increased, reflected in the diversity and richness in the ways learners and teachers approach.

Experts say that gradually making English the second language in schools will not be easy at first. However, it is not impossible because the legal foundation, practical effectiveness, and investment in expertise and facilities are also good foundations to implement this meaningful policy.

At the seminar, Associate Professor, Dr. Ha Le Kim Anh, Vice Principal of the University of Foreign Languages ​​(Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said that over the past 10 years, English teaching in Vietnam has had many positive changes. A number of legal framework regulations related to foreign languages ​​in general and English in particular have been issued. Along with the active activities of the 2020 foreign language project with the attention of the Party, Government, Ministry of Education and Training, English teaching and development of English teachers at high school and university levels have received attention and achieved certain results.

In the 2023 Annual Report Conference of the Ministry of Education and Training, the survey results showed that most students are interested in learning English. This is a favorable condition to promote English teaching in high schools, gradually making English a second language.

Director of Marketing and Communications, British University Vietnam (BUV), Vo Hong Hanh, British University Vietnam (BUV) said that if students are proficient in English, there will be many educational opportunities open. For example, good English will open doors for you to countries that use English. Typically, the world's leading countries in education are all using English such as the UK, the US, Australia, Canada... When you have good English, of course English will become a tool to help you find suitable opportunities, opportunities related to scholarships... If conditions do not allow you to study abroad, English will still open up similar opportunities right in Vietnam.

From the perspective of local education management agencies, Head of the Department of Education and Training of Ba Dinh District (Hanoi), Dr. Le Duc Thuan said that the common difficulties in teaching foreign languages ​​in general and English in particular are mainly due to two issues. Firstly, the teaching staff lacks both quantity and quality. The delegates have analyzed many reasons, from salary issues to university enrollment sources.

Second, the 2018 general education program’s goals are there, but when implemented, there is a situation where teachers teach for exams. Students study for exams, parents also let their children study for scores… so the goal of teaching foreign languages ​​has deviated. With the four skills of listening-speaking-reading-writing, students can be very confident in reading and writing, but communication is still limited.

In order to achieve the goal of making English the second language in schools, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education Nguyen Thi Mai Hoa said that the first issue is to continue to perfect the legal framework. In addition, there must be policies and strategies, which must be concretized into specific projects, and in these projects, priority must be given to projects on teacher training. Next are projects related to facilities.

Affirming that English is considered a global communication tool, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Representative Newspaper Le Thanh Kim emphasized that this is the "key" to accessing the enormous amount of knowledge and understanding of world civilization.

Understanding and using English fluently helps improve the quality of education and training, contributing significantly to promoting the country's development and international integration.

There are many countries that consider English as a second language such as: India, Singapore, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines... The basic difference between English as a foreign language and English as a second language lies in the level, level of use and its importance in social life and administrative activities. In places where English is only a foreign language, it is not widely used outside the learning environment. However, the transition from a foreign language to a second language is entirely possible if there are changes in policies and social needs, as in the cases of Singapore and India.

On August 12, 2024, the Politburo issued Conclusion 91-KL/TW on continuing to implement Resolution 29-NQ/TW dated November 4, 2013 of the 11th Party Central Committee "On fundamental and comprehensive innovation of education and training, meeting the requirements of industrialization and modernization in the context of a socialist-oriented market economy and international integration". An important content mentioned in Conclusion 91-KL/TW is: "Focus on improving foreign language skills of students, gradually making English the second language in schools".

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dua-tieng-anh-tro-thanh-ngon-ngu-thu-2-trong-truong-hoc-can-lo-trinh-trien-khai-tung-buoc-post833348.html