Don't let students "familiarize" with Vietnamese
In the 2024-2025 school year, Sin Suoi Ho Primary Boarding School ( Lai Chau ) has 23 classes with 627 students, of which 122 are in grade 1. With 100% of students being ethnic minorities, the school has identified strengthening Vietnamese as a key task, especially for first-grade students.
Ms. Bui Thi Huong, a first grade teacher, said: “Teaching Vietnamese to children is not without its difficulties. Many children have limited ability to speak and understand Vietnamese. In the first two weeks after entering school, teachers must increase communication to create closeness, and at the same time teach the alphabet and numbers so that children can gradually get used to it.”
According to Mr. Vu Quang Thieu - Principal of the school, the limited Vietnamese communication environment is the biggest barrier. To overcome this, teachers proactively classify students' Vietnamese proficiency to have appropriate methods, ensuring that students' Vietnamese proficiency is gradually improved.
From a management perspective, Mr. Tong Thanh Hai - Vice Chairman of Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee, acknowledged: Many children of preschool age cannot speak Vietnamese, and their vocabulary is limited when entering first grade. Even primary school students do not have standard pronunciation, while the Vietnamese communication environment outside of school in many places is still lacking.
According to Mr. Hai, the reason for this situation is due to the large area, scattered population, and families mainly using their mother tongue, which makes it difficult for children to be exposed to Vietnamese at an early age. In addition, preschool teachers are lacking in both quantity and quality; facilities and learning materials for teaching Vietnamese in remote areas are still limited.
Lai Chau province currently has 225 kindergartens and primary schools with more than 91,000 children, of which more than 85% are ethnic minorities. Faced with difficulties in equipping children with Vietnamese, the province has synchronously implemented the Project "Strengthening Vietnamese language preparation for preschool children and primary school students in ethnic minority areas in the period 2016 - 2020, with a vision to 2025".
Accordingly, the Department of Education and Training of Lai Chau province issued full implementation guidelines in accordance with local realities; directed investment and supplement of facilities, equipment, and learning materials to serve the enhancement of Vietnamese language. In Phase II of the Project, the province invested in 286 sets of equipment, supplies, and learning materials, 126 projectors, and 500 televisions for preschool groups and classes.
In addition to material investment, the education sector focuses on staff training. Since 2020, more than 11,000 preschool teachers and staff have received professional training, especially in methods to enhance Vietnamese language suitable for each age group. In addition, more than 1,700 teachers have participated in training in ethnic minority languages to serve bilingual teaching - an effective approach in areas where the mother tongue is dominant.
In each school, creative models are promoted. At Sin Suoi Ho Kindergarten, teachers and parents join hands to make learning tools from familiar materials in life such as paper rolls, milk cartons, bottles, etc. to create a close learning environment. Ms. Pham Thi Thao - Principal of the school, said: "Teachers use two languages, teaching Vietnamese based on their mother tongue, thereby helping children have basic skills in using Vietnamese every day".
At Song Da Kindergarten in Nam Hang Commune, teachers focus on practicing correct pronunciation, correcting difficult words, and practicing speaking in full sentences for older preschoolers. “We also work with parents to encourage talking to children in Vietnamese at home, helping them form the habit of natural language reflexes,” said Ms. Vi Mai Anh, Principal of the school.
Expectations spread
The concerted efforts have shown clear results. The province has ensured that 50% of nursery-age children and 100% of ethnic minority preschoolers receive age-appropriate Vietnamese language enhancement. More than 31,300 ethnic minority children are supported with Vietnamese when they enter preschool; of which 100% of 5-year-olds are well prepared to enter Grade 1.
At the primary level, 100% of ethnic minority students are enhanced with Vietnamese. Students study 2 sessions/day, participate in exchange activities, and regularly practice Vietnamese, thereby forming reading habits, the ability to express, understand, and use Vietnamese more flexibly.
The “Vietnamese Corner” model has been implemented in many schools to help children learn through playing, storytelling, singing, role-playing, etc., making the language more familiar and attractive. Not only students, but parents have also gradually changed their living habits, increased the use of Vietnamese in daily life, contributing to spreading the effectiveness of the Project.
“Through the assessment, 100% of preschool children and primary school students of ethnic minorities have achieved the necessary Vietnamese language proficiency according to their age. These results are the premise for Lai Chau Education Department to continue to improve the quality of comprehensive education, especially strengthening Vietnamese language in the coming years,” said Mr. Tong Thanh Hai.
Mr. Tong Thanh Hai affirmed: “Educational institutions are doing a good job of building a Vietnamese communication environment in schools, families and communities. The Vietnamese language enhancement model is proving effective, creating opportunities for children to explore , experience and enrich their Vietnamese language skills appropriate to their age.”
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/khoi-thong-hanh-trinh-hoc-tap-tu-tieng-viet-post742191.html
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