Teacher training must become a breakthrough

To realize these goals, the starting point must be teacher training – the cradle that nurtures the team of teachers, the core element that determines the quality of education .

THE CURRENT SITUATION OF TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGES

For eight decades, the teaching profession has accompanied the development of the country. From literacy campaigns and universal education to training millions of teachers across the country, the mark of the teaching profession has always been linked to historical turning points. During wartime, teachers were symbols of dedication; in peacetime , they persevered in adapting and innovating, contributing to helping Vietnamese students assert their international standing through the Olympiads, PISA, and scientific research.

- Ảnh 1. — Future teachers must have mechanisms for continuous professional development, the application of digital technology and AI, and lifelong learning.

Currently, there are more than 60 universities nationwide that train preschool, primary, and technical teachers. Of these, nearly 20 are teacher training and technical teacher training universities, and 18 are teacher training colleges distributed across the country.

However, in the new context, the teacher training system revealed many limitations. The training network was fragmented, with many small-scale schools and uneven quality, leading to localized teacher shortages and surpluses.

The teaching staff mostly holds postgraduate degrees and is dedicated, but there are limitations in scientific research and international publications. The connection with secondary schools is not strong, while facilities, digital learning materials, and modern laboratories are lacking. Regular professional development for teachers does not meet requirements.

THE LAW ON TEACHERS AND ITS IMPACT ON TEACHER TRAINING

The enactment of the Law on Teachers is a fundamental turning point. The law sets clear professional standards regarding qualifications, competence, and qualities, requiring teacher training colleges to innovate their curricula and training methods so that graduates can meet professional demands.

The law also establishes a close linkage mechanism between teacher training colleges, education and training departments, and secondary schools in ordering, internships, training, and recruitment. As a result, training is aligned with practical needs, reducing supply-demand imbalances, and creating opportunities for students to gain professional experience.

- Ảnh 2. — Teachers in this new era need to have good foreign language skills and be proficient in using technology.

The law has affirmed the social status of the teaching profession, ensuring rights, high income, and career development opportunities, thereby attracting talented students to the field. In the future, teachers will not only impart knowledge but also act as guides, preserving national identity while embracing an integrated mindset to train Vietnamese citizens – global citizens.

The law also promotes quality assurance in teacher training, increasing accountability for training institutions. Teacher training schools need to raise the standards of their lecturers, especially in foreign language proficiency, facilities, digital learning materials, and scientific research.

TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGES MUST BE LEADING CENTERS FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

While the Law on Teachers provides the legal foundation, Resolution 71 establishes a strategic aspiration: by 2045, Vietnam's education system will be among the top 20 in the world.

To achieve a top 20 ranking in education, the teaching staff must also meet international standards. This requires teacher training programs to align with OECD standards and draw on the experiences of advanced education systems. Teacher training admissions need a fundamental change, selecting only outstanding students with exceptional foreign language skills and a global mindset.

Teacher training colleges must become leading centers for educational research, producing internationally recognized works that serve educational policy and innovation. Cross-border cooperation, faculty and student exchanges, and advanced program linkages should become the norm. Future teachers must have mechanisms for continuous professional development, the application of digital technology and AI, and lifelong learning.

INNOVATING THE BILINGUAL TRAINING PROGRAM

In the 2045 vision, it is particularly important to make English the second language in schools. This requires not only highly qualified English teachers, but also a team of teachers in other subjects capable of teaching in English. By 2030, approximately 22,000 English teachers will be needed for preschool and primary school, and 200,000 teachers will require further training.

International experience

Many countries have succeeded by placing teacher training at the heart of their development strategies. Post-war South Korea recognized that "investing in teachers is investing in the future," building a high-quality teacher training system with rigorous selection criteria and fair compensation. As a result, within just a few decades, South Korean education rose to the top in Asia, becoming a driving force for economic development.

Singapore emphasizes both professional expertise and strong foreign language skills and adaptability. Teachers must be proficient in English as the primary language of instruction and regularly participate in training courses on pedagogical methods, educational technology, and global thinking. The "standardization - professionalization - internationalization" policy has helped Singapore build an advanced education system with high international prestige.

Finland stands out for its training model closely linked to scientific research. Students wishing to become teachers must complete a master's degree and undergo rigorous practical training. Teachers are both scientists, empowered to be creative, and not constrained by heavy examinations and tests.

To achieve this, teacher training colleges need to standardize foreign language proficiency in their training and increase the number of English teacher training programs. English teacher training students should achieve a C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, while students in other fields should also take specialized English courses. Foreign language entry requirements should be widely applied (IELTS 5.0 or higher), prioritizing students with strong English skills for science and technology programs to train bilingual teachers.

To make English a valuable professional tool, it's not enough to just offer foreign language classes. Teacher training colleges need to strengthen academic English and pedagogical English, while also offering some specialized courses in English. Students should be encouraged to write reports, conduct research, and give presentations in English, within the context of their studies.

Applying digital technology and AI to enable lecturers and students to build bilingual learning materials and online classes connecting with international experts is also a viable path for students to not only learn English, but also use English as a tool for learning, teaching, and research.

To train a generation of bilingual students, we first need lecturers with strong foreign language skills. This requires training current lecturers, sending young lecturers to study abroad, and attracting international experts and overseas Vietnamese to participate in teaching. Some key universities could establish bilingual departments and teacher training programs, and then expand them.

It's impossible to expect students to achieve high foreign language proficiency without encouragement. Scholarships, tuition fee waivers, and internship opportunities in international environments are necessary. Graduation requirements should be linked to foreign language proficiency to ensure that teaching degrees are highly valued. Furthermore, better compensation for teachers with strong foreign language skills is essential to retain talent and prevent brain drain.

If Vietnam wants to make English its second language and elevate its education to the top 20 in the world, teacher training must become a breakthrough area, linked to high standards, a research environment, and sustainable incentive policies.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dao-tao-su-pham-phai-tro-thanh-khau-dot-pha-185251114183926318.htm