Why do some schools not accept international language certificates for output standards?

Student of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport

Compulsory English learning at school

Thanh Nien Newspaper received feedback from students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport regarding foreign language output standards in graduation exams.

According to a student of the K20 course, in 2020, Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport issued Decision 670/QD-DHGTVT on September 25, 2020, allowing students to submit TOIEC 500 certificates for consideration of recognition of meeting foreign language output standards. Currently, on the student page, the output standard information is still TOIEC 500.

However, this student said: "Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport has issued Decision 333/QD-DHGTVT abolishing regulations contrary to previous regulations, requiring students to study English at school. This change causes difficulties and delays the graduation progress of students. I contacted the training department directly and received the answer that studying at school is mandatory."

This student cited the regulations on English output standards; programs, study organization, final exams of general English subjects; recognition of meeting English output standards issued by Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport in early 2023. These regulations apply to students studying English language training programs, foreign languages, regular programs from the 2020 enrollment period.

According to Article 2 on English output standards, the school stipulates that students must achieve English level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam of the Ministry of Education and Training and have specialized English knowledge to ensure that students are capable of researching specialized documents and working in the field of transportation.

To recognize English output standards, the school periodically organizes English output standards recognition for students at the end of each semester's final exam. Students are recognized as meeting English output standards when completing English B1.4 - 006118 modules.

Students are only exempted from taking the course when they fall into one of the following cases: studying specialized training programs in the field of maritime science and using a maritime English certificate from the school at level 2 or higher in lieu of the condition of being recognized by the school as meeting the English output standards when considering graduation recognition; Studying a second training program with the first training program in the field of English language.

"With the above regulation, the school does not accept international language certificates submitted by students to consider foreign language output standards. Students are required to study and complete English courses organized by the school," said this student.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport explains the reason for not accepting international language certificates in output criteria

What does the school say?

In response to students' feedback, a representative of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport said that the change in the school's English output standards has a roadmap and is communicated to students of the 2020 course in many forms: training meetings with management departments/institutes, departments/institutes holding professional meetings with lecturers, program managers... This conversion is carried out by the school by arranging entrance English proficiency tests, arranging English courses according to students' levels right in the training program so that students can complete according to the roadmap of the English output standards and everything takes place publicly.

"After issuing Decision No. 333, the school received some feedback from students about English output standards. At this time, the school has and continues to create conditions for students by accepting the conversion of general English courses, combining specialized English exams in the training program with English courses in the regulations on English output standards (Decision No. 333). At the same time, according to the training plan, by 2023, students will have achieved level 6 after being converted. Therefore, this is the best solution to support students, the school has applied to ensure that they graduate on schedule," the school representative added.

Regarding the regulation of not accepting international language certificates in the output criteria, a representative of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport explained: "The school trains in a number of specific fields, which require specialized English proficiency such as maritime, logistics, traffic construction, etc. Over many years of training management, there has been a situation where many students have been scammed by outside groups, provided with fake foreign language certificates, leading to delays in graduation. Even students with real abilities only pass the general English test, not meeting the specialized English requirements of the transport sector."

This representative added: "The school's English training program is built on the basis of integrating general English (meeting the output standards of the Ministry of Education and Training) and specialized English according to the regulations of international organizations on transportation."

"Thus, with the school's English output standards along with the specialized knowledge and skills accumulated during the study process, the school's students are confident in participating in the labor market and adapting in the context of the entire transport industry integrating internationally," the representative of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport further affirmed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-co-truong-khong-chap-nhan-chung-chi-ngoai-ngu-quoc-te-xet-chuan-dau-ra-185241011101421.htm