'Foreign language self-study month' in Hanoi: Affirming the pioneering position of the capital's education sector

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training awarded 42 certificates of merit, 129 certificates and rewards to 35 groups and 136 individuals for their achievements in the Foreign Language Self-Study Month movement at high schools in the 2024-2025 school year.

The “Foreign Language Self-Study Month” movement in Hanoi has achieved impressive results, continuing to affirm the pioneering position of the capital’s education sector in improving foreign language proficiency and promoting the spirit of self-study among students and teachers. This is a timely and correct strategy, reflecting the determination of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training in making solid strides in foreign language training through the application of digital technology in training.

Taking place from February 20 to March 20, 2025, "Foreign Language Self-Study Month" recorded encouraging results with 623,928 registered accounts, of which 601,002 were student accounts and 22,936 were teacher accounts. The number of students completing the city-wide English proficiency test: 480,575, equivalent to 79.96% of the total number of registered students. This is an impressive number, demonstrating the strong response of teachers and students throughout the city.

During the first week of Self-study Month, the system recorded a total of about 415,000 students choosing courses and at many times the number of students and teachers studying at the same time on the system reached more than 300,000.

These proud numbers are the result of the tireless efforts of the students, the companionship and dedicated guidance of the teachers, the attention of the management levels and most importantly, the decisive participation of the leadership of the Hanoi Department of Education.

The program has been implemented systematically and synchronously. On January 18, 2025, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training organized a training conference and established 46 Working Groups with the participation of leaders of the Departments of Education and Training, cluster heads of high school clusters and teachers and technicians of high schools in the city. Support work was carried out quickly, promptly, continuously, ensuring efficiency and quality.

The "Foreign Language Self-Study Month" movement has not only been effectively implemented in inner-city schools but has also spread widely to suburban schools, helping to narrow the gap in foreign language teaching and learning quality between areas in the city.

Ms. Ta Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Head of the Department of Education and Training of Ung Hoa district, shared: "The Foreign Language Self-Study Month movement is a practical initiative to encourage students to improve their self-study ability and language skills, creating a creative and positive learning environment. The movement also opens up opportunities for suburban districts, especially Ung Hoa district, to access advanced foreign language learning resources, methods and experiences applying modern technology, encouraging students and teachers to develop their self-study ability, self-exploration and application of new learning methods to improve foreign language proficiency and lifelong learning skills. The Foreign Language Self-Study Month has had a positive impact on students, helping them to be more confident in their studies, especially improving their listening and speaking skills."

"Self-study foreign language month" has recorded encouraging results with 623,928 registered accounts, of which 601,002 are student accounts and 22,936 are teacher accounts.

Foreign language self-study activities have been organized throughout, effectively combining classroom learning and online learning on a modern technology platform. Many typical initiatives have been put forward to effectively implement the movement such as organizing concentrated entrance test sessions for students in the computer room; dividing shifts to support students, organizing self-study classes after regular school hours, and providing maximum support for students lacking learning equipment. This is a testament to the creativity and initiative in applying new educational methods of the Hanoi Department of Education and the entire city's education sector in the period of international integration.

On February 20, 2025, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training held a conference to activate "Foreign Language Self-Study Month 2025". Attending the conference were Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong; Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training Tran The Cuong; Deputy Directors of the Department of Education and Training; Leaders of the Department of Education and Training of districts; Miss Do My Linh as the program's ambassador. The conference was connected to more than 500 bridges of educational institutions in the city.

Sharing about the impressive results of the movement, Mr. Tran The Cuong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, said: "The self-study foreign language month is one of the practical contents of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training to narrow the educational gap between inner and outer city areas, focus on improving the foreign language skills of students, gradually making English the second language in schools as stated in Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW dated August 12, 2024 of the Politburo on continuing to implement Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW dated November 4, 2013 of the 11th Party Central Committee".

One of the students who achieved excellent results in the program, Trinh Uyen Nhu, a student of class 12A1 at Thach Ban High School (Long Bien) shared that after a month of self-studying English, she has improved a lot in her speaking ability, she feels more confident when communicating in English, and communicates more fluently and coherently.

Participating in the “Foreign Language Self-Study Month” not only as a leader but also as a student, Ms. Le Thi Hong Gam, Vice Principal of Dai Mo Secondary School, said: “The Foreign Language Self-Study Month movement has promoted a vibrant competitive atmosphere in secondary and high schools across the city. For students, this is an opportunity, creating motivation for them to study proactively, and teachers are also actively competing to improve not only their professional qualifications but also their English skills in line with the current integration trend.”

At the Commendation and Reward Conference, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training presented 42 certificates of merit, 129 certificates and rewards to 35 groups and 136 individuals who achieved achievements in the Foreign Language Self-Study Month movement at high schools in the 2024-2025 school year. In addition, more than 1,800 outstanding individuals received gifts from sponsors.

Representative of Five-Star E-Learning Joint Stock Company (FSEL) awarded 250 Reach or the Stars scholarships to middle and high school students in Hanoi.

Also at the event, representatives of Five-Star E-Learning Joint Stock Company (FSEL) and Tam Long Viet Fund also awarded 250 Reach or the Stars scholarships to secondary and high school students in Hanoi, each scholarship worth 2.4 million VND. The program aims to encourage the study of English and create the best learning conditions for students of secondary and high schools in the public school system in 30 provinces/cities nationwide.

Truong Quoc Huy, a student at Dong Anh High School, shared that the Foreign Language Self-Study Month movement is very meaningful to students like him, especially those who are passionate about learning English. Students learn a lot of new knowledge through online lessons. The program has truly inspired them to continue learning and practicing every day.

During the Foreign Language Self-Study Month, students and teachers study online on the AI ​​- FSEL artificial intelligence technology platform, a platform that allows users to study according to international standards and comprehensively develop 6 groups of knowledge and language skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar) in a systematic way. The platform uses copyrighted textbooks from Cambridge University Press, UK with quality textbooks, new learning methods, creating positive motivation to help students maintain the habit of effective foreign language self-study.

The month of self-study of foreign languages ​​in Hanoi has ended, but it is a highlight to activate and open a new page in the self-study movement of teachers and students in Hanoi, not only in foreign languages, but also in all subjects. This is a drastic direction, bringing the capital's education closer to the goal of standardization, modernization, democratization and international integration, while also affirming Hanoi's commitment to narrowing the gap in education quality between regions, creating equal learning opportunities, not only for students but also for all those who have a desire to learn and develop, aiming to become a UNESCO Global Learning City by 2025.

Minh Ngoc

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/thang-tu-hoc-ngoai-ngu-tai-ha-noi-khang-dinh-vi-the-tien-phong-cua-nganh-giao-duc-thu-do-102250404211223672.htm