Spreading knowledge, connecting cultures.

The "Coach For College" (CFC) program is being implemented in several junior high schools in Can Tho City, helping many students from disadvantaged areas confidently learn English with native speakers. For students from the United States, it's an opportunity to learn about the unique local culture.

A creative and experiential learning environment.

At Ngo Quoc Tri Secondary School (Vi Thuy commune, Can Tho city), each cultural lesson in the "Student Training" program creates a new transformation in the approach to knowledge: creative, lively, and connected to practical applications. Classrooms for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders become multicultural spaces where English is no longer a barrier but a bridge for communication, exploration , and self-development.

Students at Vi Thuy Secondary School in Vinh Thuan Dong commune are learning English with guidance from students from the United States.

Vo Ngoc Tuyet Vy, an 8th-grade student, shared: “Initially, I was very worried because I had never studied with a foreigner before, but after just a few sessions, I felt much more confident, learned many new vocabulary words, and had the opportunity to practice English every day.”

The classroom atmosphere is always filled with laughter, with natural English conversations between students. They learn not only from textbooks but also participate in games, work in groups, and discuss real-life situations.

Liliane Guerrera, a student from Mount Holyoke College, shared: “This is not only an opportunity for me to share knowledge and inspire, but also a journey of discovering the culture and life with its unique characteristics from the students and the local community. The best part is that I can learn more Vietnamese from the students themselves.”

The program is meaningful for international students.

Launched in 2008, the "Student Coaching Program" is a community education initiative connecting Vietnamese and American students to work together in teaching and coaching middle school students in rural areas. With a philosophy of experiential learning, CFC not only imparts knowledge but also builds a foundation of life values: self-confidence, responsibility, willpower, and teamwork.

Olivia Gree, a student at Indiana University, expressed: “Coach For College is a journey of spreading love and knowledge. I came to Vietnam to teach, but I learned even more from the students about effort, the small joys of learning, and the power of community. Those moments gave me faith in the value of sustainable education.”

After 17 years of operation, CFC has expanded its scale, reaching 1-5 junior high schools each summer. Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Thuy Tien, Program Coordinator, stated: "The program develops an integrated educational model combining knowledge, life skills, and sports , contributing to making students dynamic, confident, and ambitious. CFC creates sustainable value for all three parties: students are inspired to learn and broaden their worldview; Vietnamese students hone their pedagogical, leadership, and foreign language skills; and international students have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese people, culture, and education, thereby spreading the spirit of serving the global community."

The "Student Training" program was implemented from May 31st to August 17th in 5 schools: Thuan Hung Secondary School (Xa Phien commune), Him Lam Ethnic Boarding School (Thanh Xuan commune), Ngo Quoc Tri Secondary School (Vi Thuy commune), Vi Thuy Secondary School (Vinh Thuan Dong commune), and Hoa An High School (Hoa An commune).

Each school has approximately 140 students from grades 6, 7, and 8 participating for 3 weeks, under the guidance of 5-6 American students and 6-7 Vietnamese students.

Text and photos: MY XUYEN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/lan-toa-tri-thuc-ket-noi-van-hoa-a188765.html