Make English the primary language at the university.

The National Economics University (NEU) has recently issued a plan to develop English as the second language within the university.

Students of the National Economics University receive their graduation diplomas - Photo: NEU

Speaking with a reporter from Tuoi Tre newspaper, Dr. Le Anh Duc, head of the training management department at NEU, said that unlike teaching English simply as a foreign language, NEU's project aims to develop English as an official language in the university environment, meaning it will be used not only in the classroom but also in academic activities, research, and university administration.

The key emphasis is on English becoming a tool for thinking, communicating, and handling academic tasks, rather than just a language proficiency requirement. This aligns with the university's vision of building a bilingual environment, providing students with opportunities to practice English continuously in a natural setting.

Dr. Le Anh Duc

Based on the demands of the labor market.

* Sir, what has the actual use of English at NEU been like in recent years? What is the current ratio of English-taught to Vietnamese-taught programs?

- NEU currently has many favorable conditions to implement and develop the project of making English the second language in schools. In particular, since 2012, NEU has proactively built and applied a system of output standards for full-time undergraduate students, considering this as one of the key criteria to improve the quality of education and ensure integration after graduation.

As of 2024, NEU has 25 undergraduate programs taught in English, and it is projected that this number will increase to 35 programs between 2025 and 2030, accounting for 65% of the total number of training programs.

Notably, in 2024, approximately 75% of students admitted to NEU had already met the English proficiency requirements upon enrollment. However, a significant challenge remains, as a segment of students, particularly in Vietnamese-taught programs, have not met the standards on schedule, necessitating increased support and adjustments to teaching methods during their training.

So, what factors led NEU to decide to make English the official language of instruction at the university, sir?

- The urgency of implementing the project stems from three factors.

Firstly, the global job market demands high levels of foreign language skills, especially in economics and management fields. Students with strong English proficiency for academic and research purposes will have expanded job opportunities and career advancement prospects.

Secondly, the capacity for international academic integration of faculty and students needs to be enhanced through a bilingual academic environment.

Thirdly, the strategy of developing a world-class university, oriented towards research and deep integration, requires a strong and stable foundation in academic language.

Implementation in 3 phases

* Could you explain how NEU will achieve its goal of using English in academic, research, and administrative settings?

According to the plan, NEU will implement the program in three phases. In 2025, surveys will be conducted, assessment tools will be issued, and staff will be trained; in 2026-2027, the use of English will be piloted in some courses and administrative units; specialized language skills training will be organized; from 2028 onwards, it will be expanded nationwide, integrating English into academic processes, administrative services, charts, forms, and the e-office system. The use of English will be accompanied by technological support, personalized training, and regular quality monitoring.

To ensure English gradually becomes a second language alongside Vietnamese – meaning it is widely used in teaching, research, academic exchange, and extracurricular activities – NEU aims for 100% of its training programs to have at least 30% of their courses taught in English from 2028; and students must achieve a minimum English proficiency level of B2 or equivalent (IELTS 6.0) by 2030.

* One of the notable aspects of the project is the inclusion of English in administrative documents within the school. Could you elaborate on this point?

- NEU will develop regulations to encourage the use of English in administrative documents, internal announcements, and signage at its units, especially at international training units or those with a large number of students enrolled in EMI programs.

The core objective is to standardize the internationalized working environment, enabling staff to communicate and work with foreign partners and handle international student records. Simultaneously, it aims to provide access to international documents, standards, and quality systems.

NEU will not impose the changes immediately, but will implement them in stages over 2025-2030, with a roadmap for each unit and department. This includes specialized English training programs for administrative staff, especially those working with international students, media, testing, and training.

In addition, AI applications that support self-learning, such as chatbots and bilingual automated email responses, help to make the process of improving skills more convenient and practical.

Creating an environment for students

* When using English, one of the obstacles is that some instructors lack sufficient English proficiency. How will this be addressed?

- The project does not "homogenize" the entire staff but designs a tiered mechanism - a roadmap. Accordingly, lecturers with good English skills will be prioritized for training in EMI teaching methods, supported with learning materials, and have their standard teaching hours reduced.

For lecturers who are not yet ready, a 2-3 year training program will be arranged, focusing on specialized vocabulary and academic presentation skills in English. Most importantly, NEU does not require a sudden transition, but rather creates a mechanism of encouragement, support, and recognition.

* One of the project's goals is for students to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 as a graduation requirement by 2030. What is the basis for setting this standard, and how does the university encourage students to improve their English skills?

- An IELTS score of 6.0 by 2030 is a reasonable and achievable goal, as currently 75% of students admitted to NEU have achieved B1 level or higher, and many already have IELTS scores of 5.5 - 6.5.

When students are admitted to the university, NEU has a four-stage process, including: entrance examination - appropriate class placement; basic and specialized academic English training; preparation for standardized tests at the end of the course; and financial support for disadvantaged students through IELTS scholarships and tuition fee reductions for supplementary classes.

To encourage the formation of habits and a culture of using English in daily communication, NEU will establish "English Zones," areas that encourage English communication such as libraries and open spaces.

Simultaneously, organize English forums, clubs, competitions, and specialized seminars for students in their respective fields. Utilize AI chatbots and 24/7 virtual academic assistants to help students practice their reflexes, ask questions, and simulate professional scenarios.

How are the learning resources and facilities for English-language training being prepared?

- At NEU, the digital learning resource library in English has been updated and linked to international data repositories such as ProQuest, Scopus, ScienceDirect, etc.; digital and internal learning materials will be developed bilingually.

In terms of facilities, NEU has built EMI classrooms, language labs, an English-integrated LMS platform; invested in academic chatbots, AI tutors, and a speaking practice system...

Many universities both domestically and internationally have adopted it.

In Vietnam, several universities have pioneered the use of English as the primary language of instruction and operational language, similar to international universities, including RMIT University Vietnam, British University Vietnam, and Vin Uni; some private universities have implemented comprehensive English-language teaching and learning based on international cooperation models, such as Fulbright University Vietnam, the International University - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnamese-German University, and the University of Science and Technology Hanoi...

In Asia, many countries have adopted English as an official language in higher education , including those where English is not the native language, such as Singapore (all public universities like NUS and NTU), Japan (universities like Akita International University and Ritsumeikan APU), etc.

A natural part of academic life

* In your opinion, what is the most important factor for the successful implementation of the project?

- It is the collective determination of the teaching staff and a transformation in mindset throughout the entire system. Only when English is no longer a "subject" but becomes a natural part of academic life will we truly enter the global university culture.

This project is not just about language goals, but a strategy to transform the university model – from teaching and learning to connection and integration.

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NGUYEN BAO

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dua-tieng-anh-thanh-ngon-ngu-chinh-o-dai-hoc-20250809223920604.htm