Have you lost motivation to study?

LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IS NOT JUST FOR GRADUATION EXAM

Phuong Anh, an 11th grade student at Quang Trung High School (Dong Da, Hanoi), said that when she read the news that the Ministry of Education and Training decided to test 4 subjects, her whole class cheered with joy. This student shared that although foreign language is not a compulsory subject, almost the whole class will still choose this subject as the third subject to test, and there will probably be many different options for the fourth subject.

A foreign language lesson with foreigners for students in Ho Chi Minh City

On groups and forums for Hanoi students, the atmosphere has been "bustling" since the Ministry of Education and Training made a decision on the number of subjects to be tested. Most opinions do not care much about the fact that foreign languages ​​are not a compulsory subject because students in the city have strengths and need to study this subject, so they said they still choose English to take the test.

When foreign languages ​​become an optional subject for the high school graduation exam, Lam Vinh Khon, a 9th grade student at Hong Bang Secondary School (HCMC), said that he would have less burden because he would not have to bury his head in studying for the exam. However, according to the male student, English is still a very necessary tool to "access" the future world, so he will continue to practice this ability, especially in a more practical way.

Nguyen Ngoc Bao Hoang, an 11th grade student at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School (HCMC), is concerned because she thinks the exam is an important milestone for students to re-evaluate their English proficiency after many years of studying. "If compulsory exams are eliminated, schools can "do it" by designing the final exam for grade 12 English as a high school graduation exam," the female student suggested.

STUDY FOR REALITY INSTEAD OF CLOSING TO TEST

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang, Principal of Marie Curie School (Hanoi), said that when his students learned about the four-subject exam plan, they all said they would choose to take the foreign language exam because they would not only graduate from high school but also invest in studying and taking the exam to get an international foreign language certificate. The biggest purpose of studying is to use that knowledge in life and to start a career.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Linh, a teacher at Nguyen Trai High School (Hanoi), also said that it does not mean that if there are no exams, students will not study, but they still have to learn foreign languages ​​and complete daily and weekly study programs according to the school's educational program and timetable.

As an English teacher, Ms. Pham Thi Thu Trang, Kim Boi High School (Hoa Binh), shared her wish that the exams for students would both meet the long-term requirements of society regarding knowledge and abilities of learners; and avoid causing burden and pressure for students. That is also the reason why she agrees with the high school graduation exam plan of 4 subjects. Ms. Trang said that she will increase counseling on learning orientation; implement teaching to fully develop listening - speaking - reading - writing skills; apply many other active teaching methods... As for the graduation exam as it has been for a long time, it only assesses the grammar of the subject mainly, not comprehensively compared to the subject's objectives.

According to experts, the fact that foreign languages ​​are no longer a compulsory subject in high school exams will have a big impact on teaching in the future, but in a more positive direction.

Mr. Ha Huu Khuong, Principal of Minh Ha High School (Hanoi), also expressed his opinion: "It is not true that when a foreign language is a compulsory subject, students will learn a foreign language and vice versa. In fact, for many students, the main foreign language is English but they are good at other foreign languages. Learning a subject is not necessarily for the exam but is related to the career orientation and future study path of students. If students study only for the exam, their learning attitude will be perfunctory, not substantial, and long-term."

An English teaching expert (currently working at colleges and universities in Ho Chi Minh City) said that the high school graduation exam cannot comprehensively assess the listening - speaking - reading - writing skills of candidates. Colleges and universities require a certain level of English proficiency in their output standards, consider English subjects when enrolling students or require international English certificates at the entrance.

"Therefore, considering English as an optional subject does not mean that students' English proficiency will decline or hinder their international integration. Reality also proves that the current general education program cannot help students become good at English, especially in communication. Only when colleges and universities remove foreign language requirements will it be alarming," the expert commented.

Sharing the same opinion, Master Nguyen Nhat Quang, Head of the Foreign Languages ​​- International Cooperation Department of Nova College (HCMC), said that the high school graduation exam in foreign languages ​​does not help students improve their foreign language skills because it only aims to review what they have learned, mainly grammar and vocabulary.

According to Mr. Quang, the fact that foreign languages ​​are no longer a compulsory subject in high school exams will have a big impact on teaching in the future, but in a more positive direction. Because teachers will be "untied", no longer teaching for exams but teaching for students to meet the requirements of the labor market. In the long term, this will increase the rate of real learning instead of just coping with exams. "But in the short term, students' foreign language skills in grammar and vocabulary will decrease and many exam preparation centers will face difficulties," Mr. Quang predicted.

Investment must be made to improve the quality of foreign language teaching and learning.

The high school graduation exam for foreign languages ​​of students is very different between regions in terms of facilities and investment in human resources. For example, in English, the localities with the highest average scores are Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hai Phong. The localities with the lowest average scores are Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Son La, Dak Nong... This difference has been observed for many years, so even though it is a compulsory subject for all students, if there is no increased investment in facilities and human resources, foreign language learning results will still be difficult to improve. Thus, to improve the quality of foreign language learning, the Ministry of Education and Training determined that it must be based on the foundation of improving facilities and investment in human resources in teaching and learning this subject.

Mr. Huynh Van Chuong

(Director of Department of Quality Management, Ministry of Education and Training)

It will be more positive when there is internal motivation.

Mr. Hoang Anh Khoa, a master's degree holder in English teaching at St. Andrews University (UK), currently the Academic Director of The M-english Home (HCMC), believes that students who do not have the conditions to develop foreign languages, especially in "lowland areas", can still pass the high school graduation exam and study at a higher level with their own strengths.

Mr. Khoa also commented that the 2+2 option will not lead to the prospect of everyone abandoning foreign languages, but even the opposite. "English teachers will no longer teach tricks to cope and English learners will also proactively strive for their goals. Because learning English is their choice, and the university is also their choice. Everything will be more positive when there is motivation from within," said Mr. Khoa.

Mr. Dang Tu An, Director of the Fund for Supporting Innovation in General Education, agreed and commented: "The absence of a foreign language subject will not affect the encouragement of students to actively study foreign languages ​​for international integration. Being good at foreign languages ​​depends on the subjectivity of students and their families, not on the orientation and decision of the graduation exam."

Students in mountainous and rural areas will rarely choose foreign languages?

An English teacher at Vi Xuyen High School (Ha Giang) expressed his concern because for a long time, Ha Giang's foreign language exam scores have been "at the bottom" compared to the whole country, and not requiring foreign language exams will surely make students lose motivation to study. If in the city, students clearly see the need to learn foreign languages ​​for university admission, to study abroad or to study advanced programs in English... then students in the mountainous areas do not see the practical significance of this subject.

According to this teacher, the percentage of students choosing English as a subject for the high school graduation exam from 2025 will still exist but will be very low. Only those who truly see the importance of foreign languages ​​and have early orientation for university admission in a group with this subject will choose it.

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