Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Thanh Thao - Principal of Thanh Do University shared solutions to improve English skills for students, meeting the needs of society in the integration trend.

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Students of Thanh Do University can participate in activities: English Club, English Speaking Contest...

Need a specific roadmap

- Madam, how do you evaluate the advantages and difficulties in realizing the goal of "making English the second language in schools" today?

In the context of globalization, English has become a bridge to bring the country to the world. This language is necessary in all fields and professions. Therefore, "making English the second language in schools", as stated in Conclusion 91-KL/TW of the Politburo, is a correct decision. English cannot become the second language in Vietnam immediately, but moving towards this is very necessary.

Currently, most private schools have bilingual programs, using English for learning. This model will strongly promote the process of making English the second language in schools. However, when implementing these programs, according to current regulations, schools must go through many steps and take a long time for approval.

Besides, currently, human resources for foreign language training are still uneven in localities and regions. This is also a challenge in the process of popularizing English.

Given the above reality, in order to gradually make English the second language, we need to come up with specific steps and roadmaps to prepare resources. First of all, priority should be given to training a new generation of teachers; including breakthroughs in the mechanism of recruiting, training and using educational human resources.

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Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phan Thi Thanh Thao - Principal of Thanh Do University

Building an English language development environment for lecturers and students

- How does Thanh Do University build an English language development environment for lecturers and students through specific educational activities, madam?

Aiming at the goal of English becoming the second language in schools, the school organizes many activities to create an environment for students to use English regularly. Specifically, the school includes courses taught in English in the curriculum, uses learning materials in English; regularly organizes workshops, seminars, and competitions using English as the language of communication. Slogans, communication boards on campus, and the website are written in both English and Vietnamese.

The school uses English communication standards as a criterion in recruiting staff, salary increase and rewards; at the same time, it periodically tests the English proficiency of staff and lecturers; and increases cooperation with foreign partners for each unit.

However, in my opinion, the most important factor is still self-study, not only with English but it is also the key to success in all fields of study.

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Thanh Do University organizes many attractive and interesting playgrounds for students to have the opportunity to communicate in foreign languages.

- To improve the quality of English teaching and learning in schools, lecturers and facilities play an important role. At Thanh Do University, does the school have any special requirements in selecting lecturers, improving facilities, and creating a foundation for English teaching and learning?

At Thanh Do University, the school always focuses on improving the quality of English teaching and learning through two key factors: teaching staff and facilities.

Regarding the selection of lecturers, the school sets high standards for the English teaching staff. Lecturers need to meet the standards of training level and national professional and technical competence standards; especially the ability to self-study, self-direct teaching and help learners develop self-study ability. Lecturers must have solid professional qualifications, graduate from prestigious universities at home and abroad, have teaching certificates and international certificates is an important goal. In addition, the school also prioritizes lecturers with practical experience in teaching and the ability to apply modern methods to help students develop foreign language skills comprehensively.

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Student of Chengdu University

In terms of facilities, the school continuously invests in upgrading English classrooms to international standards, fully equipped with teaching aids such as smart boards, sound systems, online learning software, and building a learning material system to help learners self-study and research. Students also actively participate in English clubs, helping to improve their ability to use the language in real-life environments.

In addition to improving the quality of teaching and investing in facilities, Thanh Do University also organizes many competitions and seminars such as: English Olympic Competition, National Seminar with the theme "Towards the goal of English becoming the second language in schools: What do educational institutions and teaching staff need to prepare?"... to support students in improving their English skills and updating modern teaching trends.

These efforts not only help improve the quality of teaching but also create a solid foundation for Thanh Do students to confidently integrate into the international working environment.

Thank you!

Aiming to realize the goal of teaching, learning and using English, on February 24, Thanh Do University is scheduled to organize a national conference with the theme "Towards the goal of English becoming the second language in schools: What do educational institutions and teachers need to prepare?". Register to attend at: https://forms.gle/Lqojax6qUAMJGX8E8.

Thu Nga (Performed)