FOCUS ON MATH AND LITERATURE
The draft of the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that the number of subjects to be tested is 3, including math, literature and 1 subject randomly drawn by the Department of Education and Training from the subjects that are scored at the secondary school level. Therefore, many students in Ho Chi Minh City are currently focusing on math and literature while waiting for information about the third subject.
Many 9th grade students have started planning their studies and review, ready for all "scenarios" for the 3rd exam in 10th grade.
PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH
Phan An Nhien, grade 9, Nguyen Huu Tho Secondary School (District 7, Ho Chi Minh City), said she registered to study two more subjects, math and literature, since the summer, and has now completed the second semester program. With literature, she learned how to practice thinking to do well in the argumentative section according to the new exam structure. As for math, she started solving problems in parallel with learning the knowledge in the program. "With the goal of being a specialized school, I tried hard from early on, I had to spend time reviewing the specialized subject, physics," the female student added.
Also starting to review for the entrance exam in the summer, Nguyen Tien Dung, a 9th grader at Le Quy Don Secondary School (District 3), said he spends 5 days a week studying math and literature. The remaining time he spends studying Japanese, his favorite subject. Dung said: "Although foreign languages are my passion, with the Ministry's draft, I will spend less time on them to focus on math and literature because I don't know if there will be a foreign language exam or not."
FOCUS MORE ON "SECONDARY SUBJECTS"
In the case of the third subject being drawn as an integrated subject such as natural science including physics, chemistry, biology or history - geography, the amount of knowledge that students have to take the exam is quite heavy. Anticipating this, some students have changed their attitude towards studying "secondary subjects". According to An Nhien, she is no longer negligent and subjective in history and geography lessons.
"Before, I always thought that history and geography were subjects that I had to memorize, so it wasn't too late to study them near the exam. But now, I pay close attention to the teachers' lectures and take notes to gain background knowledge. If I accidentally get this combination, I won't have to work too hard to review," the female student said.
Sharing the same "fear" of history and geography, Tran Thien An, grade 9 at Colette Secondary School (District 3), said that this is a combination that requires a solid knowledge foundation, while the recently proposed lottery plan makes it difficult for students to have enough time to prepare. "However, I often proactively look for history lectures on YouTube and TikTok on weekends to remember historical timelines and events, which is convenient for future review," Thien An said.
Assessing himself as weak in the natural science group, Tien Dung shared that he would have to "run a marathon" if the third subject was in this group. "Currently, I still study by myself by doing exercises and watching lectures online, but if there is information that the third subject is natural science, I will immediately register for extra classes to promptly supplement the missing knowledge and review more advanced types of exercises," the male student confided.
The draft of the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that the number of subjects for the 10th grade exam is 3, including math, literature and 1 subject randomly drawn by the Department of Education and Training from the subjects with scores at the secondary school level.
PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH
SCHOOL MAKES GENERAL PLAN, WAITS FOR INSTRUCTIONS
Meanwhile, leaders of secondary schools in Ho Chi Minh City said teaching and learning remain the same as before while waiting for professional guidance from the Department of Education and Training.
Mr. Cao Duc Khoa, Principal of Huynh Khuong Ninh Secondary School (District 1), said that studying all subjects is still going on normally. Teachers as well as students must teach and study all subjects to ensure the graduation exam. Normally, every year, students are prepared to review knowledge to take the 10th grade exam after March 31. At the same time, knowing in advance that the third subject is a foreign language, of which English is the main subject, schools are more proactive in reviewing for students. This year, if there is a lottery, in a passive situation, the school plans to plan a general implementation time in advance, and when there is information about the third official exam subject, it will be applied immediately.
Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dac, Principal of Hoang Hoa Tham Secondary School (Tan Binh District), also said that basically, whether there is a lottery or a stable third subject like every year, all subjects must still be taught and studied normally. "But it must also be said that if the 10th grade entrance exam for 9th graders this year is stable in the method with 3 subjects like every year, students will be more proactive, not worrying about the change besides the pressure of being the first group of candidates taking the exam according to the 2018 General Education Program," Mr. Dac commented.
However, the Principal of Hoang Hoa Tham Secondary School added that the 10th grade exam is an entrance exam with specific targets for each school, so if there is a change, it is a general change, difficulty is a general difficulty and vice versa. Therefore, students should rest assured, focus on studying to demonstrate their abilities and personal qualities, from which they will have a basis for choosing elective subjects when entering 10th grade.
Teachers adjust teaching plans during exam review
Mr. HTTan, a math teacher in District 4, said that the draw for the third exam subject was not only a surprise for students but also for teachers. Although math was still in the exam regulations, he proactively adjusted the teaching plan to suit the situation. Specifically, in the review and exam preparation class, he "accelerated" to the knowledge of the second semester and started practicing practical math.
"Practicing the test early helps students get familiar with the format and have more time to review for the third exam. If the lottery plan is approved, the third exam will be held around March, when the second semester is in full swing, forcing students to rush to prepare. Therefore, students who have studied math in advance will be less stressed and have more time for the next exam," Mr. Tan analyzed.
A natural science teacher in District 4 commented that the third exam drawing method encourages students to focus on all subjects and not take any subject lightly. However, this teacher is concerned about the huge amount of knowledge that students will have to face, especially when they are drawn into the natural science group. At that time, students will have to take exams in 5 areas including math, literature, physics, chemistry, and biology.
"Not only are students under pressure, teachers themselves are also very stressed when they have to ensure knowledge for students in important exams. Teachers who only specialize in one subject now have to provide students with 3 subjects. Although teachers have received training in the other 2 subjects, teaching in class and reviewing for entrance exams are 2 different issues. Not to mention, many weak students need extra tutoring, teachers have to spend more time supporting them, this creates a lot of pressure for both teachers and students," a natural science teacher confided.
Students with lopsided learning will have difficulty solving the 10th grade math exam in Ho Chi Minh City.
Mr. Ho Tan Minh, Chief of Office of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, said that for many years now, the Department has implemented a policy of increasing questions requiring candidates to apply the knowledge they have learned to solve real-life situations. The exam does not only stop at testing the knowledge of the subject but also focuses on testing the ability to apply, read and understand, and think logically of students. In addition, the goal of the 2018 General Education Program is not to evaluate students based on knowledge of a subject but to focus on assessing their qualities, abilities, and ability to apply knowledge to solve real-life problems. Therefore, if students study lopsidedly or only study math, literature or English, it will be difficult for them to solve problems when the math exam may require them to apply the knowledge of physics, chemistry, etc. learned in the program to solve problems related to real life.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/du-kien-boc-tham-mon-thu-3-thi-lop-10-hoc-sinh-len-ke-hoach-san-sang-185241013224954722.htm
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