Choosing subject combinations for 10th grade: Careful consideration is needed.

Students and parents of 10th-grade students review the announcement regarding elective subject combinations. Photo: D. Quyen.

The school stands alongside its students.

In preparation for the 2024-2025 school year, many high schools have organized counseling and support sessions for 10th-grade students to choose their subject combinations. At Yen Phong 2 High School (Bac Ninh), this year the school will have 15 10th-grade classes with a total of 676 students. Immediately after students were admitted, the school disseminated information and provided counseling to students and their families to help them make the most appropriate choices. To date, 361 students have registered to choose the natural science subject combination, and 315 have registered to choose the social science subject combination. Mr. Nguyen Duy Nam, the school's Vice Principal, stated: "The 2018 general education program aims at competency-based learning and career orientation, so the school considers counseling for 10th-grade students very important because it has a long-term impact on their studies and future."

Ms. Nguyen Boi Quynh, Principal of Viet Duc High School ( Hanoi ), informed that August 15th is the last day for students to change their subject combination choices. The school is ready to create all conditions for students to study according to their passions and desires. There have been cases where students, after registering, reconsidered their choices; whether it's once, twice, or three times, we are always ready to accommodate them.

Similarly, Ms. Dang Ngoc Tu, Vice Principal of Kim Lien High School (Hanoi), said that during the three years of implementation, the school has simultaneously implemented many measures to provide in-depth counseling to students and parents. In addition to school-wide counseling, there are also group counseling rooms to ensure more thorough guidance. The school's counseling team consists of heads and deputy heads of subject departments, as well as experienced teachers currently teaching those subjects. Furthermore, students have the right to change their subject combination choices before the official class assignment and teaching begins.

Students choosing the wrong subjects and having to re-select them has happened in previous school years. According to regulations, changes to subject combinations can only be made at the end of the school year. While other students learn the material in class under the guidance and instruction of their subject teachers, those who chose the wrong subject combination and now wish to re-select must independently acquire the necessary knowledge to pass the school's exams. In reality, this is not easy and requires great determination and effort from both the students and their families.

Nevertheless, many schools have stated that they will provide maximum support to students who wish to change their subject combinations. Ms. Nguyen Boi Quynh said that last school year, Viet Duc High School only had two cases of students requesting to change their subject combinations, and the school advised them on how to change in a way that would reduce the number of subjects they had to retake. The school arranged for remedial classes for these students, but generally, when students switch to a different subject combination, they need to carefully consider it because they have to retake the knowledge of the new subjects to ensure continuity and connection in their learning. If they have to retake many subjects, 2-3 subjects in total, it will actually be very difficult for them to grasp the knowledge in the following school years.

Notes on future direction

From 2025, the high school graduation exam will follow a new format regarding subjects and exam structure, therefore candidates need to make accurate decisions to have wider opportunities in the future. This exam will consist of four subjects: two compulsory subjects (Mathematics and Literature) and two elective subjects from the remaining subjects studied in grade 12. Therefore, according to experts, the choice of subject combination must also take into account this exam as well as the requirements of separate entrance exams for universities from 2025 onwards.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam ( Military Technical Academy), to choose the right combination of subjects, students need to base their choices on their abilities and aptitudes. After selecting subjects that match the first two factors, students should choose subjects that best serve their future careers. For example, if they intend to study a profession related to the arts, knowledge of fine arts and music will clearly be beneficial for their future career development, so they should study those two subjects as well.

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Education experts suggest that choosing the right subject combination should be based on students' interests and abilities. This is crucial because when students study subjects they enjoy or excel in, they will be more motivated and their learning will be more effective. Furthermore, it's important to define long-term learning goals and future career aspirations.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/lua-chon-to-hop-mon-hoc-lop-10-can-nhac-can-trong-10288147.html