Learning English is not just about listening, speaking, reading and writing.

English teachers from 11 universities and colleges nationwide participated in the EnglishWorks! project launch event on the morning of March 13 - Photo: TRONG NHAN

On March 13, the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Training Center (SEAMEO RETRAC) in collaboration with the Regional English Language Office (RELO) of the US Embassy in Hanoi and the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City launched the career English project, "EnglishWorks!".

Ms. Lori Shea, English teaching expert at SEAMEO RETRAC, shared that the current trend of teaching English in the world is not only about teaching how to use the language, but also integrating many skills. Some textbooks are divided into listening, speaking, reading, and writing sections, but the skills are not limited to that.

Expert Lori Shea gives an example of an English passage in a reading lesson. Reading to understand the content and taking notes on vocabulary is the "traditional" way of teaching. However, with the same passage, teachers can teach students skimming, speed reading, selection skills, data analysis, summarizing skills, etc.

Or with a listening exercise, teachers should not only guide students to listen, but also practice their judgment skills, note-taking skills, etc.

According to Ms. Lori Shea, this method can be applied even in educational environments with large numbers of students and limited time like in Vietnamese public schools.

"It is not necessary for teachers to integrate skills into every lesson. They can start with one lesson per week. In that lesson, they only need to include one or two intentional activities by the teacher, such as discussions, games, presentations, etc. The most important thing is that teachers need to have a plan for what skills they will include in the lessons," said Lori Shea.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai from the University of Missouri (USA) said that more and more English teaching programs are linked to other fields, including STEM. Learning English from there is not just learning grammar and vocabulary, but also going along with a specific field.

However, according to Mr. Hai, one of the challenges of this teaching method lies with the teachers, because not all English teachers are also good at other subjects such as STEM. To do so, teachers will also need a plan to learn and improve themselves.

Similarly, Ms. Vo Pham Trinh Thu, Deputy Director of the Foreign Language Center of Can Tho University, sees the current challenge for English teachers as having to always be updated. It is impossible to teach in the "give and take" direction as before, teachers at English centers need to be flexible in their lectures according to learners' tastes.

For example, with the same speaking assignment on the topic of famous people for a class of young people, if choosing a scientist, it will be harder to attract as many people as a "hot" artist. According to Ms. Thu, teachers are required to monitor the media and social networks to constantly search for new teaching materials.

"In addition, English learners at the centers also want to receive stories and experiences from teachers in class to broaden their life experiences and perspectives," said Ms. Thu.

English project for disadvantaged people

The purpose of the "EnglishWorks!" project implemented by SEAMEO RETRAC and RELO of the US Embassy is to help learners improve their English proficiency in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, while supporting learners to perfect their vocational and soft skills to develop their expertise, or seek career opportunities.

The program targets young people who are or have studied engineering, are in difficult circumstances, are working or unemployed, have aspirations to excel in their studies, and have the potential to contribute to the socio-economic development of the locality.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-tieng-anh-khong-chi-co-nghe-noi-doc-viet-20240313152713252.htm