Warm 'zero-dong' foreign language classes in Ho Chi Minh City

Over the years, Thien Nhon Free Foreign Language Center at La Pagoda (An Hoi Tay Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) has become a bright spot in inspiring the passion for learning for thousands of students and working people.

Realizing the "dream" of learning foreign languages ​​for free for many people

Established since 2010, the free foreign language classes of Thien Nhon Foreign Language Center founded by Mr. Thich Nhuan Tam, are still regularly lit, bringing knowledge to many generations of students in accessing foreign languages ​​for international integration.

For many years, free foreign language classes at Thien Nhon Center in La Pagoda have always attracted a large number of students from students to working people.

According to the children, every day going to English class is a joy and happiness.

After studying at the Center, students have confidently communicated in English.

The Center is currently teaching six foreign languages ​​for free: English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German for students of all ages, from children to students and the elderly from many provinces and cities. Normally, each class will study about two hours per day, from 7:30 to 21:30 on weekdays. Each course will last three months, with about 3,000 students participating.

Lan Anh, a student of the Korean language class at Thien Nhon Free Language Center, shared: “I learned about the center through my sister, who studied here about 6 years ago. Although it is a free center, the quality is very good. The teacher not only teaches vocabulary or grammar in a dry way, but also lets us practice listening and speaking continuously. Thanks to that, my speaking ability has improved significantly, something that many other centers cannot do.

Although I have only studied for a month, my ability to communicate in Korean has improved a lot. When I mispronounce, the teacher always patiently corrects me and guides us to speak each sentence. Therefore, I feel that studying here is very effective and really suitable for beginners like me."

Foreign language students at the Center are diverse in age and gender.

Every foreign language lesson is a joy for students studying at the center.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Van, who has been studying English at the Center for about 2 years, said that the highlight of the class is the teaching method closely related to real life, helping students easily absorb and remember. The integration of activities, games and daily communication situations makes him feel that his English level has improved significantly and he is much more confident.

“I used to study at university, but due to economic and financial difficulties, I had to reserve all my grades. Seeing many students from far away provinces and cities come to Ho Chi Minh City to study, wanting to learn a foreign language but because the tuition is too high, it is difficult to access the study. Therefore, I decided to establish a free foreign language center to help them have the opportunity to study,” said Mr. Thich Nhuan Tam.

Thien Nhon Foreign Language Center is not only a place to learn foreign languages ​​but also has very humane orientations. “Learning foreign languages ​​is not only for communication, but also to bring the quintessence from other cultures to apply to our country, and at the same time, not forgetting our cultural and ethnic roots wherever we go,” said Mr. Thich Nhuan Tam.

Not only teaching foreign languages, the center also maintains many charitable activities such as donating books, supporting children in difficult circumstances and bringing classes to remote areas. "In the near future, I plan to establish a vocational training center for those who have made mistakes," Mr. Thich Nhuan Tam added.

"Teachers" and "aunts" who inspire language

Accompanying the center's foreign language teaching activities are enthusiastic young teachers and volunteers. Teacher Ben, an English volunteer, said: "A friend introduced me to La Pagoda and Thien Nhon Foreign Language Center. Since then, I have been attached to the center for about a year, everyone here is very friendly and warm like a family."

Mr. Ben, an English volunteer, always takes time to talk and communicate with students to help them become more confident in speaking English.

Students are excited to be able to directly chat and communicate in English with foreign teachers at the center.

According to Mr. Ben, to improve English proficiency, the most important thing is to practice communication as much as possible, always be ready to communicate with both teachers and classmates. In addition, students can also learn by themselves through books, social networks, YouTube or TikTok, but going to the center will be more practical, creating opportunities for direct communication and pronunciation practice.

“A few years ago, I happened to learn about La Pagoda, which often opens free foreign language classes for Vietnamese people. At that time, I lived in Vung Tau and only had the opportunity to visit once to observe. Later, when I moved to Ho Chi Minh City, I wanted to contribute by teaching classes, helping Vietnamese people learn Korean better. I don’t care about income, what makes me happiest is helping people improve their Korean communication skills,” a volunteer Korean teacher shared.

According to the Korean teacher at the center, Vietnamese students are very intelligent, hard-working and also very bold in communicating with teachers.

Thien Nhon Center's free foreign language learning space is small but always filled with laughter and love.

Although teaching is free, the teachers at the center are very enthusiastic and always come up with new teaching methods to attract students.

Ms. Hong Xuan with students of Thien Nhon Free Foreign Language Center.

According to Ms. Hong Xuan, in addition to focusing on consolidating basic knowledge for students, she is fortunate to always have the companionship of teachers and students in teaching and learning English communication effectively. The learning environment here is organized in a friendly and close direction, everyone feels happy and comfortable when learning, not constrained.

“Even if we do something small, if we do it with all our love, it will certainly bring great value. We must know how to share, because when we help others, we are also helping ourselves,” Ms. Xuan expressed.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/nguoi-tot-viec-tot/am-ap-nhung-lop-hoc-ngoai-ngu-0-dong-tai-tp-ho-chi-minh-20251117164410339.htm