Ho Chi Minh City proposes solutions and models to make English the second language in schools

Overview of the workshop "Some solutions to make English the second language in schools in Vietnam" - Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training

Attending the workshop were Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong, leaders of departments and professional offices under the ministry; Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu - Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, representative of Saigon University, head of the Department of Education and Training of Thu Duc City, heads of the Department of Education and Training of districts, principals of many primary, secondary and high schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

Need participation from all levels, sectors, educational institutions, businesses and support from parents

The workshop was held to propose solutions to implement Conclusion No. 91 of the Politburo, which sets the goal of gradually making English the second language in schools.

Through the in-depth discussions presented at the workshop, all delegates discussed and shared the current status of English teaching and learning, thereby proposing groups of synchronous, practical and effective solutions on policy mechanisms, teacher training, curriculum innovation and assessment, as well as the coordination of all levels of departments and the whole society to gradually realize this strategic goal.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu - Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City - spoke at the conference - Photo: Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu proposed a number of typical solutions such as building an English learning and using environment, innovating English teaching and learning methods, improving the quality of teachers and enhancing international cooperation in the field of English education.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu also emphasized: "To successfully implement the goal of making English the second language in schools in Vietnam, we need the joint efforts of the entire political system, the active participation of all levels, sectors, educational institutions, scientists, experts, businesses, along with the support of parents and the whole society."

Proposing 3 models for implementing curriculum frameworks

At the workshop, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Lan, Director of EMG Education, proposed a model for implementing curriculum frameworks and testing and assessment solutions based on the 3-level implementation hierarchy.

These are: Comprehensive level of implementation of teaching English as a second language; standard level of teaching English as a second language and the lowest level is to start implementing step by step.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Lan - Director of EMG Education - presented at the workshop - Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training

According to many experts, over the past years, Ho Chi Minh City has been implementing many breakthrough programs and projects such as the English enhancement program; the program "Teaching and learning math, science and English integrating the English and Vietnamese programs" under project 5695; the high-quality school model "Advanced school, international integration" in Ho Chi Minh City according to Decision No. 07/QD-UBND.

With the bright spot being the positive results of Project 5695, many experts at the workshop affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City can completely start implementing the implementation of making English the second language in schools at the highest level (comprehensive implementation) of the above model in a number of schools.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong speaks at the conference - Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong proposed a number of solutions:

"The Ministry of Education and Training will advise the Government to soon issue a national project on making English the second language in schools, including solutions on resources, policy mechanisms, teacher training, creating opportunities for native teachers to cooperate and work in Vietnam...

So we need 5 main pillars: state management, scientists - experts, trainers (educational institutions), schools, and businesses to join in giving advice to implement this national project. In my opinion, by 2025, we can complete this project and clearly define the roadmap and implementation solutions. The practical experience of Ho Chi Minh City in implementing Project 5695 of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee shows that there needs to be a strategy, a specific plan...

We need to implement synchronous solutions, in which we identify immediate, long-term and breakthrough solutions. So the way to do it is synchronous, but we must identify which are the breakthrough solutions, not spread them out horizontally, and implement them wherever there are suitable conditions. We encourage localities with sufficient conditions such as Ho Chi Minh City to be the leading force, guiding the effective teaching and learning of English."

Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuong also assessed that this was the first large-scale workshop held since the Politburo's Conclusion 91 on August 12.

That shows Ho Chi Minh City's determination to pioneer in making English the second language in schools.

Making English a second language in schools is an important, strategic goal.

Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW dated August 12 of the Politburo on continuing to implement Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW dated November 4 of the 11th Party Central Committee "on fundamental and comprehensive innovation of education and training" clearly directed the making of English the second language in schools in Vietnam.

This is an important and strategic goal, contributing to creating high-quality human resources to meet the country's development requirements in the integration period.

4 key solutions to make English a second language in schools

From international experience, Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu - Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City - assessed that to make English the second language in schools, it is necessary to focus on the following 4 main solutions:

1. Create a favorable environment for learning and using English, encourage students to use English in daily communication.

2. Innovate English teaching and learning methods, focus on developing communication skills and applying English in practice.

3. Improve the quality of English teachers, improve the quality of teachers of subjects with English proficiency to meet teaching requirements in an internationally integrated environment.

4. Strengthen international cooperation in the field of English education, learn advanced experiences from countries that have successfully implemented English as a second language teaching programs in schools and countries with developed education systems.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tp-hcm-de-xuat-cac-giai-phap-va-mo-hinh-dua-tieng-anh-thanh-ngon-ngu-thu-2-trong-nha-truong-20241012114100387.htm