Confused about choosing subjects for 10th grade?

Ms. Nguyen Bao Khuyen, a parent of a student at Ernst Thälmann High School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), said: "When registering for 10th grade, my daughter and I filled in information about our planned choice of elective subjects based on her strengths and interests in natural sciences, without paying attention to future career orientation." Therefore, we now urgently need the school's guidance to choose a more accurate subject combination that matches our abilities and university entrance exam subjects.

According to the new General Education Program, students choose elective subjects that align with career trends. Many parents and students are confused and uncertain about their choices, as they haven't yet clearly defined their aspirations.

Most students choose based on "combos".

According to observations, most high schools will structure subjects into subject combinations, and students will choose one of these combinations rather than selecting individual subjects to complete their four elective courses.

Theoretically, students have 126 choices, but in reality, each high school usually has about 4-8 subject combinations, mainly divided into two groups: natural sciences and social sciences, depending on the number of teachers and facilities. Students will choose 4 subjects, but because they are arranged in "combos," it is unavoidable that every combination will include subjects that students don't want but still have to choose.

In Hanoi , Kim Lien High School this year only offers four subject combinations with two model options: a regular class and an IELTS-based English program. In each model, the school offers four combinations consisting of compulsory subjects and four elective subjects, allowing students to choose one of these four combinations.

Viet Duc High School offers twice as many choices, with 8 subject combinations for students to choose from. Notably, this is one of the rare public high schools in Hanoi that includes music and fine arts as one of the 8 combinations. Ms. Nguyen Boi Quynh, the school's principal, said that although not many students choose these subjects, the school has made efforts to recruit and contract teachers for these two subjects to meet student demand.

Le Quy Don High School (Ha Dong) is implementing the 2024-2025 10th grade curriculum into three groups: Natural Sciences 1, Natural Sciences 2, and Social Sciences; along with elective subjects and elective specialized topics. Parents and students were notified in advance to learn more. On July 28th, the school's management team provided direct career guidance to help students choose a class model that suits their interests and abilities.

Construct subject combinations based on university entrance exam blocks.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Nguyen Hung Khuong, Principal of Ernst Thälmann High School (District 1), said that based on the regulations on subject combinations and the method of high school graduation exams applied from 2025, the school has developed subject combinations for parents and students to choose from, ensuring they are suitable for their career orientation and academic abilities.

Teachers from Vo Van Kiet High School (District 8, Ho Chi Minh City) guided and advised students on submitting applications and choosing suitable elective subjects on July 16th.

Ernst Thälmann School introduces parents to the 2028 General Education Program, helps them choose subject combinations based on career orientation, and selects high school graduation exams compatible with this program. The school will then assign teachers and counselors to provide individual guidance and answer questions before a final decision is made regarding subject combinations for the three years of high school.

Mr. Khuong stated that because the high school graduation exam from 2025 onwards will have four subjects, with mathematics and literature being compulsory and the remaining two being optional, the school has developed three subject combinations: natural sciences , social sciences, and a combined group… Each combination will ensure coverage of the three traditional exam blocks for university admissions. This allows students to diversify their subject combinations for admission to various majors and universities.

Similarly, the leadership of Le Quy Don High School (District 3) believes that this year's 10th-grade students have a more "long-term" preparation mindset for the high school graduation exam and university entrance exam. Based on the students' choices over the previous two years, this year the school has expanded the range of optional subject combinations, closer to students' wishes. Each combination will include a maximum of two core subjects combined with two compulsory subjects from the high school graduation exam, giving students more opportunities to choose their subject combinations for university entrance.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Mai, Principal of Nguyen Huu Cau High School (Hoc Mon District), said that the selection of the four-subject combination for students will be balanced across both natural and social sciences to meet the requirements of the high school graduation exam, ensure the subject combinations are suitable for university entrance exams, and provide comprehensive knowledge for the aptitude test.

CHOOSE BASED ON ABILITIES, INTERESTS, AND CAREER FUTURE

At Tran Dai Nghia Secondary and High School (Ho Chi Minh City), Ms. Tran Thi Hong Thuy, the school's principal, said that the announcement of the high school graduation exam plan from 2025 onwards is extremely important for advising 10th-grade students on subject choices. Therefore, for this year's 10th-grade students, the school is focusing on advising them on choosing subject combinations that are both suitable for their abilities and maximize their strengths and interests, so that they can have the most appropriate career orientation and more competitive opportunities in their future careers.

According to Ms. Hong Thuy, recognizing the necessity of computer skills for students, the school included this subject in the subject combinations. Then, depending on their abilities, orientation, and interests, students choose the remaining three subjects for their high school studies.

At Vinschool (Hanoi), students choose their subjects in steps: the field of study they will pursue at university, the chosen major, the type of university, and the admission method, and then they decide which subjects to choose.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A SUITABLE SUBJECT

Over the two years since the implementation of the new General Education Program, every year schools have seen a situation where many students choose subjects that are not suitable for them.

Ms. Do Thi Viet Phuong, Vice Principal of Vo Truong Toan High School (District 12, Ho Chi Minh City), said that in the 2023-2024 school year, the school had two 10th-grade students who requested to switch from the natural science subject combination to the social science subject combination. These students had to spend time studying at home and reviewing at school with their teachers to ensure they met the required learning outcomes for the 11th-grade subjects.

From there, Ms. Viet Phuong outlined three factors for choosing a suitable subject combination. First, base it on interests to prevent learning from becoming boring. Second, consider abilities to avoid pressure. Third, take into account family circumstances, professional traditions, etc., to ensure smooth future studies. Students should absolutely not follow their friends or anyone else's wishes. Parents should also avoid "forcing" their children to follow their own desires, but instead share and support them.

Similarly, Vinschool (Hanoi) also outlines three important factors students should consider when choosing subjects: firstly, their own academic ability; secondly, the career path they intend to pursue; and thirdly, the university's admission process.

Meanwhile, Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), advised: "Parents and students should 'listen' to each other's strengths to minimize disruption. In addition, students need to develop two skills: foreign languages ​​and computer skills to keep pace with the development of modern life."

According to Ms. Pham Le Thanh, a teacher at Nguyen Hien High School (District 11, Ho Chi Minh City), to choose a suitable subject, students need to clearly identify their long-term passion for the field and their current abilities. It's important to note that long-term passion is different from fleeting interests.

Can high school students change their elective subjects?

The 2018 General Education Program at the high school level includes 8 compulsory subjects and educational activities (Vietnamese language and literature, mathematics, foreign language 1, history, physical education; national defense and security education; experiential activities, career guidance, and local educational content). In addition, each student is required to choose 4 subjects from 9 options, including: geography, economics and law education; physics, chemistry, biology, technology, informatics, music, and fine arts.

The Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that students' subject choices must remain stable until the end of grade 12. However, in special cases, if students wish to switch elective subjects, this can be done at the end of the school year based on a commitment from the student to independently acquire knowledge and skills in the new subjects. The school principal will consider and decide whether to allow students to switch elective subjects, taking into account the school's organizational capacity.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lung-tung-lua-chon-mon-hoc-vao-lop-10-185240716224146999.htm