Preparation for children entering first grade.

To prepare students for entry into first grade, from August 4th to August 29th, primary schools and combined primary and secondary schools throughout the province will simultaneously implement a week-long Vietnamese language familiarization program for children from ethnic minority areas before the start of the 2025-2026 school year, as directed by the Department of Education and Training in document No. 126/GDĐT-GDPT, dated July 23, 2025.

The preparations for first grade for students at Y Bang Primary School, My Lam Ward.

Help children become proficient in Vietnamese.

The introductory week for teaching and learning Vietnamese to students from ethnic minority areas is a very important phase. This is the time to help them get acquainted with the new learning environment and come into contact with the Vietnamese language naturally and effectively. The aim is to help students adapt to the new learning environment, stabilize their psychology, and form basic learning habits and routines.

The content of these educational activities focuses on strengthening Vietnamese language skills so that students can effectively participate in the 2018 General Education Program, contributing to narrowing the language gap and improving the quality of teaching and learning, especially in Vietnamese language in the first year of primary school. At the same time, it helps teachers to identify students' difficulties and limitations early on so that appropriate support measures can be taken.

According to Mr. Chu Van Vu, Principal of Sung Tra Ethnic Boarding Primary School in Sung Mang commune, the biggest challenge in teaching ethnic minority children is their limited Vietnamese language skills (especially those attending remote schools). At home, they mostly communicate in their mother tongue. Therefore, teachers must use both Vietnamese and the language of their ethnic minority group to help them understand the lesson content. Thus, implementing a week-long Vietnamese language familiarization program is essential and important to help students overcome their initial apprehension before entering first grade.

The teaching content is flexibly structured around three main activities: Warm-up - Connection, Exploration - Practice, and Application - Experience. Diverse methods are employed, including learning vocabulary and sentences, storytelling, role-playing, learning games, singing and dancing, reciting poetry, coloring, and real-life communication, creating a positive, engaging, and friendly learning environment. Through these activities, ethnic minority children enhance their Vietnamese language skills, build confidence in communication, develop basic learning habits, and are ready to integrate into the 2018 general education program upon entering first grade.

In addition to improving Vietnamese language proficiency, the program also focuses on early identification of students' difficulties and limitations in order to provide timely support during their studies. The school closely collaborates with families and social organizations such as the Youth Union and the Association for the Promotion of Learning, etc., in mobilizing and maintaining student enrollment and creating conditions to support effective learning.

Mr. Pham Thanh Tri, Principal of Yen Nguyen Primary School, emphasized: Organizing a week of familiarization and teaching Vietnamese to ethnic minority children not only helps them stabilize their psychology and form learning habits, but also contributes to achieving the goal of developing education in ethnic minority and mountainous regions, creating a solid foundation for the comprehensive educational reform of the country.

During the orientation week, students will become familiar with images and objects that are familiar to them in their local area. This helps them feel more at ease and less apprehensive. In addition, they will participate in activities such as playing traditional games and singing simple Vietnamese songs. These activities not only help them relax but also teach them vocabulary and sentence structures naturally.

Contributing to improving the quality of education.

Initial observations indicate that during the first week of school, schools consulted with local Party committees and authorities, and coordinated with local organizations, villages, and parents to encourage children to attend classes, provide transportation, and prepare accommodation and meals for boarding students during their studies. They meticulously prepared facilities, assigned administrators and teachers to welcome students and parents to familiarize themselves with the new learning environment; attendance rates were high, children were enthusiastic about attending class, and were confident and assertive when communicating in Vietnamese.

In addition, teachers prepare lesson plans well and have many initiatives to build trust with students and parents, such as: sending open letters; creating background models for children to take beautiful photos; preparing learning materials, videos , and real objects to illustrate the lessons; and diligently guiding students in holding pens and writing their first letters. Many schools also organize group activities to introduce the new school year to all students, going to each class to encourage students and helping parents clean up, creating a green, clean, and beautiful environment. Parents feel more at ease knowing their children are getting acquainted in a friendly and safe educational environment.

Mr. Vu Van Dung, Head of the Department of General Education, Department of Education and Training, assessed: This is an important activity to prepare children for entering first grade in the 2025-2026 school year. For children from ethnic minorities, this activity will contribute to consolidating and developing Vietnamese language skills in communication and learning in Vietnamese; helping students avoid pressure when entering a new learning environment, and at the same time reducing the rate of weak students and dropouts in the early years of primary school.

The week-long Vietnamese language familiarization program before entering first grade is not only a technical solution but also demonstrates the close attention of the Tuyen Quang provincial education sector in improving the quality of education in ethnic minority areas and ensuring equity in access to education.

Text and photos: Minh Hoa

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202508/hanh-trang-cho-tre-vao-lop-1-bb75e00/