Preserving the Tay language through "voluntary classes"

Established in November 2024, the Then singing club in Cho Giai village, Phuc Loc commune, has become a cultural center and a "voluntary class" helping many generations, especially students, learn and preserve the Tay language through Then songs, Sli, and Luon melodies.

Báo Thái Nguyên•04/06/2026

The students are taught the language by the adults in the village through songs.

Artisan Hoang Van Co (68 years old) - who directly teaches at the club, said : Without healthy recreational activities during the summer, children can easily become engrossed in phones , computers, and other electronic devices, gradually distancing themselves from traditional culture.

Based on that experience, the club has attracted more than 10 students , aged 8 to 15, to participate in weekly activities with adults in the village. Here , the Tay language is taught through traditional songs , making it easier for the children to learn and remember.

Twelve-year-old Hoang Phuong Thao shared: "I learned how to pronounce and understand the meaning of many ancient words in the Tay language. These words are quite difficult; if an adult didn't explain them, I wouldn't understand ."

You may also like

2026 High School Graduation Exam: Students will no longer focus on familiar subject combinations.(Chinhphu.vn) - The simultaneous increase in STEM, technology, and social science subjects in the 2026 high school graduation exam shows a noteworthy trend: students are choosing subjects that are increasingly aligned with their abilities, strengths, and career aspirations. These changes also reflect the initial impact of the 2018 General Education Program after two years of implementation at the high school level.

Some of the club's youngest members.

The highlight of this model is its multi-generational connection. Currently, the club has 63 members of various ages. Not only young children, but many parents also participate to expand their vocabulary and communicate with their children in their ethnic language.

Ms. Tran Thi Thanh, 39 years old, said : "Although I'm not a member of the club, I still lack knowledge of many archaic words, so I had to come and learn more. Knowing more words helps me communicate more openly with other generations in my family . "

With the spirit of "those who know more teach those who know less , " rain or shine, the members maintain regular activities at the Hoang family's stilt house. These voluntary learning sessions show that preserving ethnic languages cannot rely solely on support programs but must begin with the community's own awareness of preservation.