To make English a second language in schools

*Students can be introduced to English through skills club activities, STEM... In the photo: Students in a skills class at Nguyen Hue Secondary School (Hai Chau ward). Photo: NHAT HA.*

Change the way you teach

Mr. Nguyen Van Viet, English teacher at Nguyen Hue Secondary School ( Da Nang ) shared that for a long time, students have been learning English as a subject, not as a second language because there are still many difficulties in solutions and people.

To have a team that teaches other subjects in English, students and teachers must be exposed to and communicate in English every day.

In addition, in addition to maintaining clubs, schools can gradually make English a second language by creating an environment for students to use it in some suitable clubs such as STEM, Mathematics, and piloting teaching in English in some subjects...

Regarding the requirements for foreign language proficiency standards for teachers of some subjects that can be taught in a foreign language, according to Mr. Viet, young teachers can meet the requirements without spending much time on additional training. Currently, most young teachers in high schools improve their professional capacity by studying for a master's degree. In particular, they must meet the conditions for foreign language proficiency, so the requirements for competency standards are not too difficult.

Teachers participate in seminars and forums related to making English a second language in schools. Photo: NHAT HA

The remaining issue is to create a favorable environment for students to practice listening and speaking skills, increasing the frequency of using English communication in schools. It is possible to recruit more foreign volunteers so that not only students but also teachers have the opportunity to communicate in English, promoting the movement of learning and speaking (using) English.

Ms. Nguyen Phuoc Huyen Khai Thu, English teacher at Kim Dong Secondary School (Hai Chau Ward) believes that making English a second language is very beneficial for students. However, initially there will be certain difficulties such as facilities, creating an environment for students to be confident and bold in listening, speaking and communicating in English.

Besides, the current common mentality is that English is considered as a subject and now when switching to learning/using English as a second language, teachers are required to speak entirely in English, making it difficult for students to listen and fully understand what teachers teach in class.

Therefore, to help students get used to this, teachers can suggest open-ended questions to help them get used to reflexes and thinking in English, gradually forming the habit of speaking and using English.

Capacity building for teachers

Making English the second language in the national education system is the central content of Conclusion No. 91 dated August 12, 2024 of the Politburo continuing to implement Resolution No. 29 dated November 4, 2013 of the 11th Party Central Committee "On fundamental and comprehensive innovation of education and training, meeting the requirements of industrialization and modernization in the conditions of a socialist-oriented market economy and international integration".

Students in an extracurricular activity at primary school. Photo: NHAT HA

Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Training has concretized the policy through practical projects, programs and action plans, aiming to synchronize solutions from policy development, innovation of training programs, training of teachers, to improving teaching methods and assessing foreign language proficiency.

According to Dr. Huynh Ngoc Mai Kha, Vice Principal of the University of Foreign Languages (University of Danang), improving teachers' capacity is a core factor in implementing the project to make English the second language in schools.

In particular, universities can organize training to improve teaching capacity for teachers of English and other subjects in English through short-term and long-term courses, regular training to create a large network of teachers. There are many diverse forms of training such as forums, live seminars, online seminars (webinars)....

Universities also need to play a role in supporting high schools in international cooperation. It is necessary to effectively exploit digital transformation in all training and development activities such as learning materials systems, open learning materials, interactive applications, teaching tool applications, etc.

In addition, educational institutions can also open training programs taught in English; implement regular training courses, research focused on training, develop curriculum, programs, solutions, and teaching methods; connect with international cooperation in collaboration with high schools, etc.

Vice President of Danang University - Associate Professor, Dr. Le Thanh Bac said: “Danang University is a national key regional university, oriented towards research, with a strategic position in the Central Highlands. Danang University is always a pioneer in training high-quality human resources, especially focusing on improving foreign language skills for students, lecturers and educational managers.

At the same time, we always accompany the major policies of the Ministry of Education and Training, implementing many international cooperation programs, including promoting English as a second language in schools. This is a strategic orientation to prepare high-quality human resources, meeting the requirements of international integration and national development in the new period.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/de-tieng-anh-tro-thanh-ngon-ngu-thu-hai-trong-truong-hoc-3300324.html