Making English a Second Language in Schools: Need to Be Linked to National Language Policy

Journalist Tran Xuan Toan - deputy editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper (right cover) - presents flowers to guests attending the discussion - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

On October 2, Tuoi Tre newspaper organized a discussion "Making English the second language in schools: What to do to overcome the challenges?" with the participation of experts,education managers, and parents.

Have a plan, no rush

The seminar received many useful comments for the pilot implementation of the policy of making English the second language in schools. All experts, educators, managers, and parents participating in the seminar agreed that this is a correct policy and can be implemented if there is a specific and appropriate implementation roadmap and the consensus and determination of the entire system.

Recognizing that this policy is big, bold, strategic and especially suitable in the current context, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, head of the English Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, analyzed the socio -economic development context, bringing many favorable points, suitable for the transition from teaching English as a foreign language to using English as a second language in schools.

Similarly, Dr. Dam Quang Minh, Deputy General Director of Equest Group - the unit that is implementing a math and science teaching program in English in high schools, also said that this is a strategic decision and will profoundly change Vietnam's approach to foreign languages.

"The idea of ​​making English a second language in schools is very much supported. We see that a worker with good English will always have a salary 20-50% higher, even more than a candidate who does not know English. Therefore, parents clearly support English and will strongly support this policy," said Mr. Minh.

However, according to him, making English a second language in schools also requires legality so that implementation becomes more and more convenient and must be built step by step according to a roadmap.

"It is recommended that Ho Chi Minh City pilot the construction of a school model in which English is the second language according to levels. For example, what criteria will a level 1 school for a second language have; what criteria will a level 2 school have; what criteria will a level 3 school have... This will help schools easily identify the model and have a roadmap to strive for implementation," said Mr. Minh.

Agreeing with this opinion, Mr. Nguyen Bao Quoc, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, said that Ho Chi Minh City is not in a hurry to pilot the policy of making English the second language in schools. The implementation will be gradual, step by step, with a roadmap suitable for the locality and schools.

"The implementation will not be hasty or widespread, but will be step by step. We can start with schools that are implementing integrated programs, enhanced English programs, advanced integrated schools, private units... and then expand," Mr. Quoc informed.

In addition to Ho Chi Minh City, localities with developed socio-economic conditions such as Hanoi or localities with remarkable changes in English learning such as Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau... have a lot of potential to pilot this policy.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Binh

Need "output"

At the seminar, experts and educators from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, RMIT University, Nguyen Van To Secondary School, and Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted (HCMC) all said that there is now a legal framework to implement the policy of making English the second language in schools.

According to Ms. Bui Thi Thanh Chau, deputy head of the foreign language group at Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted, implementing this policy has many advantages for Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted.

"The advantage of Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted is that the students' English level is high. High English level meets many programs: intensive English program, integrated English. Particularly for the intensive English program, the school also promotes the direction of IELTS certificate training, students from grade 8 and above have followed this path.

The school also invites lecturers from universities to teach English subjects to students. In addition, the subject groups conduct interdisciplinary science activities with English. Recently, the school's students have also told stories about Uncle Ho in English, interacted with foreign delegations, and filmed clips in English..." - Ms. Chau said.

Students are excited to experience the "playing and learning" English application of Mr. Phan Khac Dap, an English teacher at An Tuong Dong Primary School (Hoai An district, Binh Dinh province) - Photo: LAM THIEN

At the seminar, experts also emphasized the need for "output" for learners. "Students learn English well in high school but are not compatible when they go to university. Therefore, this policy requires connectivity in training at higher levels" - Dr. Le Xuan Quynh, head of the language program at RMIT University Vietnam, expressed his opinion.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Binh proposed that the policy of making English the second language in schools should be linked to the national language policy.

"If we only develop English in schools but do not have a general policy on English in life, work..., learners will not see the practicality and effectiveness of learning this language in schools. The State needs to have a policy on foreign languages ​​associated with the policy of making English the second language in schools" - Mr. Binh said.

* DR. DAM QUANG MINH:

Parents support teaching in English

Equest actively contributes values ​​in education, including general education, university education, continuing education. And we are also fortunate to have great support from parents, so the number of schools, the number of students attending schools in the system as well as the English program is increasing.

In addition, with a certain openness in the socialization policy, we have also implemented the educational technology program well. Nationwide, there are about 146,000 students studying math and science programs in English. We are using English as a tool to teach subjects, so that students can gain new skills.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dua-tieng-anh-thanh-ngon-ngu-thu-hai-trong-nha-truong-can-gan-voi-chinh-sach-ngon-ngu-quoc-gia-20241003074016386.htm