Survey of English proficiency of teachers needs to be more serious and substantial

The plan to survey English proficiency for teachers of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City was implemented quite unexpectedly, many teachers were confused, what should be done to make the survey more substantial?

Students of Luong The Vinh High School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City during an English class - Photo: NHU HUNG

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training is implementing a plan to survey English proficiency for teachers from primary to high school, in the last week of April, which has created many mixed opinions.

An estimated 73,000 teachers across the city participated in the survey. Many agreed, but many also expressed concerns and complaints.

Reader My Dung, a primary school teacher in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, sent Tuoi Tre Online an article to contribute another perspective on this issue.

Concerns

Wishing to contribute a small part to the work of improving the quality of education, I support the survey and project "Gradually making English the second language in schools".

However, this implementation still causes many concerns and pressures for teachers.

The plan to survey English proficiency for teachers of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City this time was implemented quite unexpectedly.

In fact, many teachers are confused by this survey.

When there was only information about the survey and it had not been officially implemented, many teachers passed around information about opening foreign language and IT training classes.

This makes many people worry that if they fail, they will be forced to take those courses.

Even though the Department of Education and Training leaders affirmed that the survey results are not intended to grant certificates or evaluate teachers, many people are still worried that low results could lead to elimination in the current situation of mergers and streamlining.

Another problem is that schools are in the midst of year-end testing.

Therefore, teachers will not have much time to do surveys or cannot concentrate on doing them seriously.

That's why the survey will give rise to countermeasures such as teachers will take photos, create answer files... to send to those who do it later, or ask relatives (or even hire someone to take the test for them), do it hastily...

Thus, the survey results certainly do not reflect the true level of current teachers, and even less so, do not achieve overall honesty in the overall results of the whole city.

Previously, when the Ministry of Education and Training required English proficiency to be included in teacher recruitment and teacher evaluation for promotion, there was a situation where teachers were taking courses at unprestigious centers, or taking English bachelor's classes in the style of "requiring a degree, not knowledge".

This is understandable because not everyone needs to use English in their teaching profession.

I have seen two friends who, in addition to their professional degrees, studied for a second degree in English at a university, mostly online.

Even though they have been granted a degree, when they meet a foreigner they cannot communicate, even basic greetings are very awkward.

Opportunities from surveys

In addition to some shortcomings as mentioned, it can be said that the survey is also an opportunity for teachers, reflecting the true status of English proficiency, and is an important basis for determining the need for training and development of the teaching staff.

From this English survey, teachers can improve their foreign language skills systematically, with a clear roadmap according to the direction of the department.

Being able to communicate in English as a second language demonstrates a teacher's true level and ability, contributing to improving the quality of education.

To make the survey more serious, reasonable and substantial, it is advisable to reschedule the survey to a time when teachers are relatively relaxed, such as after completing the year-end documents (maybe the end of May because this year students finished the program early).

And need to survey focused at school.

It is important to help teachers understand the purpose of the survey, and to call for teachers' honesty during the survey process to obtain correct and accurate results.

We believe that with the appropriate support from the education sector, we teachers will not hesitate to change for the better every day.

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LE THI MY DUNG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khao-sat-nang-luc-tieng-anh-giao-vien-can-nghiem-tuc-va-thuc-chat-hon-20250426115622951.htm