47,000 HCMC teachers take 90-minute English test: 'Don't worry'

What do teachers survey?

Teachers of public schools from primary to high school in Ho Chi Minh City must take an English test in the form of an objective multiple-choice test, within 90 minutes. The test includes listening, reading, and writing skills to assess English proficiency according to the European reference framework CEFR (from A1 to C2). The test is designed and standardized with Cambridge Assessment English, ensuring objectivity, science , and high reliability.

Teachers do the test online on computers or smart mobile devices. The Department of Education and Training also provides a link for teachers to participate in the survey. The test is available from 8am to 9pm every day and teachers can do it at any time.

Teachers and students in Ho Chi Minh City take the entrance exam at the beginning of the school year: Photo: Nguyen Hue

The Department of Education and Training also divided shifts for teachers at all levels and districts to take the test. On April 23, teachers at high schools and high schools with many levels will take the test; on April 24, teachers in districts 7, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, and Cu Chi district will take the test; on April 25, teachers in districts 6, 11, Go Vap, and Hoc Mon district will take the test. On April 26, teachers in districts 3, 4, 8, and Binh Tan district will take the test. On April 27, teachers in districts 10, 12, Tan Binh, and Nha Be district will take the test. On April 28, teachers in districts 1, 5, Tan Phu, and Binh Chanh district will take the test. Teachers in Thu Duc city, Can Gio district, and the rest will take the test on April 29.

Responding to VietNamNet, many readers commented that this is the end of the school year, schools are busy reviewing for final exams. 9th and 12th graders are reviewing for 10th grade and high school graduation exams. Teachers are focusing their efforts on taking care of students, so the English test should be moved to the summer.

“Adding a contest is more worrying, and worrying is unnecessary at this stage. Why not wait until students are on summer vacation to survey teachers?” – reader Trung Van stated. Sharing this view, reader Duong Pham said that, currently in the final stage of the semester, students are preparing for stressful exams, but the Department of Education and Training is making teachers worry about testing English, is it really necessary?

Sharing with VietNamNet reporter, Mr. Vo Kim Bao, a Literature teacher at Nguyen Du Secondary School (District 1) said that when he first heard about the English proficiency test, he was quite confused. However, after the Department of Education and Training explained that this was not a personal proficiency test, and the results would not be used for any other purposes such as competition assessment, salary consideration, discipline or other personal purposes, Mr. Bao thought this was quite good.

“This does not make it difficult for us, but is also suitable for having data as a basis for building a teacher support program. Through the survey, we can also test our English proficiency for free,” said Mr. Bao.

What Mr. Bao worries about is that the survey is online, so there will be teachers who do it without being serious, just doing it for the sake of it, or there will be teachers who are not good at English but do not understand the purpose of the survey, asking others to do it for them, this affects the accuracy of the results.

Teachers don't have to worry.

In response to teachers' concerns, VietNamNet reporters contacted the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training about this issue. Mr. Ho Tan Minh, Chief of the Department's Office, affirmed that the English survey is used to collect data, so teachers can do it at any time of the day. As for why at this time, the survey must be conducted according to a plan to assess the practical impact, and hand it over to the next department to develop a project to gradually make English the second language in schools.

Mr. Ho Tan Minh, Chief of Office of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: HV

According to Mr. Minh, the Department of Education and Training conducted the survey because it wanted to see the reality that Ho Chi Minh City is capable of implementing the project of making English the second language in schools or not. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the city's implementation. When starting to implement, what is the level of teachers? For example, how many English lessons are built in schools, what activities are organized in English, it is necessary to have an overall perspective, calculating data based on scientific analysis.

Mr. Minh affirmed that the survey was properly planned, and public primary, secondary and high school teachers all had to participate, but there was no need to worry.

“Teachers only need 90 minutes to complete this survey. We do not require teachers to review, practice or spend a lot of time. Teachers just go to the survey link and complete it. They will receive results as they complete it. The Department of Education and Training does not evaluate teachers' results but uses them as a scientific basis to analyze the current English proficiency of teachers in Ho Chi Minh City,” said Mr. Minh, adding that the survey results are the basis for developing a project to gradually make English a second language in schools. Teachers will be included in the training content or how to organize English teaching and English activities in schools.

"Therefore, teachers do not have to hesitate or worry, just take 90 minutes to complete the survey," said Mr. Minh.

The Chief of Office of the HCM City Department of Education and Training also predicted that there would be teachers who would not participate in the survey because they were old and would retire in 5-10 years. When the project is completed, they may be close to retirement age, so the Department will have to consider surveying their successors. In addition to teachers, the Department of Education and Training will also conduct a survey of 9th and 11th grade students to implement output standards. In addition, the Department will also collect data on facilities, integrated English programs, and enhanced English programs to research and develop scientific and effective projects.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/giao-vien-tphcm-lam-bai-kiem-tra-tieng-anh-trong-90-phut-khong-phai-lo-lang-2392930.html