Confused about choosing subjects for grade 10

Ms. Nguyen Bao Khuyen, a parent of a student at Ernst Thälmann High School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), said: "When registering for grade 10, my daughter and I filled in the information about choosing a group of elective subjects based on her strengths and interests in natural sciences without paying attention to her future career orientation." Therefore, the school is currently in need of advice to choose a more accurate subject combination based on her abilities and university entrance exam groups.

According to the new General Education Program, students choose elective subjects that match their career trends. Many parents and students are confused and bewildered when they have not clearly defined their wishes.

Mostly for students to choose by "combo"

According to records, most high schools will build subject combinations and students will choose one of those subject combinations instead of choosing each subject individually to have 4 elective subjects.

In theory, students have 126 choices, but in reality, each high school usually has about 4-8 combinations, mainly divided into 2 groups of natural and social sciences, depending on the number of teachers and facilities. Students will be able to choose 4 subjects, but because they are arranged in a "combo", it is inevitable that each combination will have subjects that students do not want but still have to choose.

In Hanoi, Kim Lien High School this year only built 4 choice groups with 2 models: mass class and IELTS English combined class. In each model, the school built 4 groups including compulsory subjects and 4 choice subjects for students to choose one of those 4 groups.

Viet Duc High School offers twice as many options, with 8 subject groups for students to choose from. Notably, this is a rare public high school in Hanoi that includes music and fine arts in one of the 8 groups. Ms. Nguyen Boi Quynh, the school's principal, said that although not many students choose this option, the school has tried to recruit and contract teachers for these two subjects to meet the needs of students.

Le Quy Don High School (Ha Dong) has implemented the 10th grade curriculum for the 2024-2025 school year into 3 groups: natural sciences 1, natural sciences 2 and social sciences; along with elective subjects and elective topics. Parents and students were sent notices in advance to learn, on July 28, the school's board of directors directly provided career counseling to help students choose a class model that suits their interests and abilities.

Building subject groups according to university entrance exam blocks

In Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Nguyen Hung Khuong, Principal of Ernst Thälmann High School (District 1), said that based on regulations on subject combinations and high school graduation exam methods applied from 2025, the school builds subject combinations for parents and students to choose from to suit their career orientation and learning ability.

Teachers of Vo Van Kiet High School (District 8, Ho Chi Minh City) guide and advise students on submitting applications and choosing appropriate elective subjects on July 16.

Ernst Thälmann School introduces parents to the 2028 General Education Program, selects subject combinations according to career orientation and high school graduation exams compatible with this program. After that, the school will assign teachers and consultants to answer questions and provide specific instructions to each parent and student before making an official decision on subject combinations for 3 years of high school.

Mr. Khuong said that since the high school graduation exam from 2025 will have 4 subjects, of which 2 subjects are compulsory, math and literature, and the remaining 2 subjects are optional for students, the school has built 3 groups of combinations: natural sciences, social sciences and combined groups... Each group will ensure 3 traditional exam blocks for admission to universities. This helps students diversify their combinations for admission to professions and universities.

Similarly, the leader of Le Quy Don High School (District 3) said that this year's 10th graders have a "long-term" mentality to prepare for the graduation exam and university entrance exam. Based on the selection trends of students over the previous 2 school years, this year the school has expanded the subject combinations to meet students' wishes. In particular, each combination will have a maximum of 2 core subjects combined with 2 compulsory subjects of the high school graduation exam so that students have more opportunities to choose the subject combinations for university entrance exam.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Mai, Principal of Nguyen Huu Cau High School (Hoc Mon District), said that the selection of 4 subjects for students will be balanced for both natural and social fields to meet the requirements of the graduation exam while ensuring the admission combination according to the exam blocks of universities and general knowledge to participate in the competency assessment exam.

CHOOSE ACCORDING TO YOUR ABILITIES, INTERESTS AND CAREER ORIENTATION

At Tran Dai Nghia Secondary and High School (HCMC), Ms. Tran Thi Hong Thuy, Principal of the school, said that the announcement of the high school graduation exam plan from 2025 onwards is extremely important for subject selection counseling for 10th graders. Therefore, for this year's 10th grade students, the school focuses on advising on choosing subject combinations that are both suitable for their abilities and promote their strengths and love of the subject so that they can have the most suitable career orientation and have many opportunities to compete in the future career environment.

According to Ms. Hong Thuy, determining that computer skills are necessary for students, the school includes this subject in the groups. Then, depending on their abilities, orientation and interests, students choose the remaining 3 subjects for their high school studies.

Vinschool (Hanoi) lets students choose subjects according to the following steps: the field of study they will study when they go to university, the training major, the type of university and the admission method, then they will decide on the subject.

FACTORS TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUBJECT

After 2 years of implementing the new General Education Program, every year schools have a situation where many students choose inappropriate subjects.

Ms. Do Thi Viet Phuong, Vice Principal of Vo Truong Toan High School (District 12, Ho Chi Minh City), said that in the 2023-2024 school year, the school has 2 grade 10 students requesting to switch from the natural science subject group to the social science subject group. These students must spend time studying at home and reviewing at school with teachers to ensure that they meet the requirements of the transferred subject for grade 11.

From there, Ms. Viet Phuong pointed out 3 factors to choose the right combination of subjects. One is based on interests so that learning does not become boring. Two is ability so that learning does not become pressure. Three is family circumstances, professional traditions... to ensure that future learning is favorable. Students absolutely must not listen to friends or anyone's wishes. Parents should not "force" their children to follow their wishes but should share and accompany them.

Similarly, Vinschool (Hanoi) also gives 3 important factors that students need to consider when choosing a subject: the first is their own learning ability. The second is the training orientation that students intend to pursue. The third factor that students need to consider when choosing a subject is the university's admission method.

Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), advised: "Parents and students should "listen" to strengths to minimize disruption. In addition, students need to practice two skills in foreign languages ​​and information technology to adapt to the development of modern life."

Master Pham Le Thanh, teacher at Nguyen Hien High School (District 11, Ho Chi Minh City), said that to choose the right subject, students need to clearly identify their long-term career passion and current abilities. It is important to note that long-term passion is different from temporary interest.

Can students change electives?

The 2018 General Education Program at the high school level has 8 compulsory subjects and educational activities (literature, mathematics, foreign language 1, history, physical education; national defense and security education; experiential activities, career guidance, local educational content). In addition, each student is required to choose 4 subjects out of 9 subjects, including: geography, economic and legal education; physics, chemistry, biology, technology, information technology, music, and fine arts.

The Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that students' subject choices must remain stable until the end of grade 12. However, in special cases, students who wish to change their elective subjects must do so at the end of the school year based on their commitment to self-supplement their knowledge and skills in new subjects. The school principal will consider and decide whether to allow students who wish to change their elective subjects to suit the school's organizational capacity.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lung-tung-lua-chon-mon-hoc-vao-lop-10-185240716224146999.htm