Learning English in school, taking international certification exams: Should coordinate instead of choose

GD&TĐ - After the 2025 High School Graduation Exam, many parents are reconsidering their children's English learning strategy and asking the question: Should they continue to invest in learning English at school or focus on studying to achieve international certificates such as IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge?

Important background

Mr. Dong Quang Thuan - teacher at Phenikaa Secondary and High School (Hanoi) said: This is a practical question, reflecting the change in the approach to foreign language education of students, parents and schools. However, instead of seeing these two options as two opposing paths, it is important to correctly identify the role, goals and timing of each option to have an effective and sustainable learning strategy.

Affirming the important and indispensable role of English in schools, considering it as “an academic foundation and an important learning skill”, Mr. Dong Quang Thuan commented: The general English program has had many positive adjustments; not only focusing on grammar and vocabulary, but also developing reading comprehension, academic writing and critical thinking skills in English. These are essential skills for students to study well at university level, especially in the context of more and more fields of study applying English as the language of instruction and research.

Furthermore, the high school graduation exam in recent years has tended to approach actual language proficiency - not only testing knowledge, but also assessing the ability to apply English in situations. This encourages teachers to innovate teaching methods, helping students develop comprehensive language thinking. Learning English in school therefore not only serves the exam, but also plays an important role in building an academic foundation and the ability to use language in a post-secondary learning environment. From 2025, foreign language certificates will be used to exempt the graduation exam, but will not be converted into 10 points. This clearly reflects the orientation of the Ministry of Education and Training : Not encouraging chasing after scores but promoting real ability through serious, systematic learning in school.

Mr. Le Van Luc - Principal of Nguyen Trai High School for the Gifted ( Hai Phong ) affirmed the importance of learning English in school, helping students have a solid foundation of knowledge, easily accessing many different learning channels. From class lessons, students practice language thinking skills, reflexes, and confidence when working in groups. Teachers are companions, inspiring interest and helping students learn systematically, avoiding learning in a biased way just to "get a certificate". If they only study IELTS outside without basic knowledge in school, students are likely to have "gaps" in basic knowledge, especially grammar and academic vocabulary.

Photo illustration INT.

Flexible coordination

“Parents should see international certificates as a means, not the only goal. Teaching their children IELTS is necessary, but cannot replace the systematic, comprehensive and fundamental educational role that the general education program provides.”

Expressing this point of view, according to Mr. Dong Quang Thuan, the combination of serious English learning in school and international certification training in the right direction can bring the best results. Each student will have a different goal: Some need a certificate for admission, some need an academic foundation to continue studying at a higher level, some need practical communication. Therefore, instead of "giving up this to choose that", flexible coordination according to ability, orientation and learning stage is a smart choice.

Parents can consult with subject teachers to develop a suitable English learning plan, while creating conditions for their children to practice all four skills, maintain a positive and proactive attitude towards language learning. Most importantly, students need to develop a love and interest in English, instead of learning just for scores or exam pressure. When they have internal motivation, they will learn more effectively and maintain their ability to use English in the long term.

The principal of Nguyen Trai High School for the Gifted (Hai Phong City) advised that if possible, students should still study and take international language certificates; however, they should not take English learning lightly at school, because this is a compulsory foundation and direct support for the High School Graduation Exam and university admission. Parents should encourage their children to develop a love for English, not just to study for "high scores". The most important thing is to turn English into a tool, a means to explore the world, not just an "exam subject".

High school graduation exams are tending to test practical English proficiency (such as: Reading comprehension, academic vocabulary, phrases, sentence structure). Therefore, students should combine studying for the exam with studying for practical use. Students should read more practical documents, newspapers, short essays; practice reading comprehension skills, guessing meaning based on context; learn vocabulary in phrases, instead of individual words; practice writing sentences and short paragraphs (although the exam does not have a writing section, it will support language thinking).

“For teachers, it is necessary to shift from teaching “exam tips” to teaching comprehensive foreign language development; integrating teaching communication skills, English reflexes through group activities and presentations. Teachers design lessons based on real-life topics, arousing interest and increasing students’ access to authentic documents such as articles, podcasts, and videos. In particular, it is necessary to pay attention to guiding students on how to self-study, self-read, self-look up, not just depending on textbooks,” said Mr. Le Van Luc.

Also paying attention to this content, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha - teacher at Tran Quang Khai High School (Trieu Viet Vuong, Hung Yen) shared: The innovative high school graduation exam requires changes in English teaching in schools. The exam aims to assess the ability to apply knowledge, not just test memorization. Therefore, teachers need to guide, orient, help students grasp basic knowledge and develop comprehensive capacity. Students learn the knowledge according to the program requirements, in textbooks, understand the nature; at the same time, practice the skills of analysis, synthesis, logical thinking and problem solving.

In particular, rote learning and memorization are no longer appropriate; instead, it is necessary to practice being proactive, learning all parts of the program comprehensively; developing reading comprehension and information processing skills; exploiting advanced vocabulary sources... Besides getting acquainted with the new exam format early, students should be encouraged to read newspapers and watch reputable English programs to grasp hot issues happening in the world, thereby improving their vocabulary.

International certificates such as IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge… are widely recognized and play an important role in many situations: university admission, studying abroad, applying for scholarships, serving personal learning needs. Giving students access to international certificates is a modern trend, helping them practice comprehensive skills, get acquainted with international language standards, and increase confidence in communication.

However, this is a tool to assess proficiency at a certain point in time, not a substitute for a long-term learning process. If too much focus is placed on practice tests and test-taking techniques without an academic foundation built from the general education program, students may encounter difficulties in later intensive learning contexts. - Teacher Dong Quang Thuan

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/hoc-tieng-anh-trong-nha-truong-thi-lay-chung-chi-quoc-te-nen-phoi-hop-thay-vi-lua-chon-post741896.html