Reasons to choose foreign language as the third subject in grade 10

Expected 3 subjects for high school entrance exam

The Ministry of Education and Training has announced the draft Regulations on Secondary and High School Admissions. It no longer stipulates that the Departments of Education and Training must organize a lottery to randomly select the third subject for the 10th grade entrance exam as previously proposed by the Ministry. According to the draft, there are 3 methods of admission to 10th grade high school: Entrance exam, selection, or a combination of entrance exam and selection. The selection of the admission method is under the authority of the locality.

Regarding the organization of entrance exams, the draft Regulations generally stipulate the implementation of 3 exam subjects, including Math, Literature and a third exam subject or a combined exam selected by the Department of Education and Training and highereducation institutions with high schools and announced before March 31 every year.

The third subject is selected from among the subjects that are assessed by scores in the general education program at the secondary level. The selection of the third subject has changed over the years to achieve the goal of comprehensive education in the basic education stage. The exam is a combination of subjects selected from among the subjects that are assessed by scores in the general education program at the secondary level.

Foreign language is one of the 8 compulsory subjects that all students must study in high school.

Commenting on the draft Regulation stipulating that "the third subject or combined exam is selected by the Department of Education and Training and the university", Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang - Chairman of the Council of Marie Curie School ( Hanoi ) said: "If this regulation is officially issued, it will lead to the Department of Education and Training having to "draw lots" and "take the risk". It is really not advisable!".

Candidates take the 10th grade entrance exam in 2024 in Hanoi.

Mr. Khang said that with the view of making the high school entrance exam simple, stress-free and cost-effective, the number of subjects can be 2 or 3. If it is 2 subjects, choose Math and Literature. If it is 3 subjects, choose Math, Literature and Foreign Language.

"The reason why the third subject for the 10th grade entrance exam should be a foreign language is because foreign language is one of the eight compulsory subjects that all students must study in high school. In the future, if English is defined as the first foreign language, compulsory for all students from grades 3 to 12, the third subject will be English. According to Conclusion No. 91 of the Politburo, gradually making English the second language in schools, choosing a foreign language as the third subject is necessary and should not be discussed further.

Regarding admission to specialized high schools, in addition to the two compulsory subjects of math and literature like non-specialized students, the third subject is the specialized subject, with a separate exam to select students with talent in that specialized subject," said Mr. Khang.

Sharing the same opinion, a principal of a secondary school in Hanoi shared that reading the draft, there is no longer the phrase "drawing lots for the third subject" but the Ministry of Education and Training requires the third subject to change every year, so the Departments of Education and Training have no other choice but to draw lots to choose the third subject. "The best option is to let students choose the third subject themselves. However, the disadvantage of this option is that it will cause difficulties in creating and grading exams.

Therefore, in my opinion, we should keep 3 subjects fixed: Literature (representing the Social Science group), Math (a subject that assesses thinking), English for international integration. Besides, fixing 3 subjects is both neat, fair and has no element of luck. As for other subjects in the Natural Science and Social Science groups, students will still study in class. When they reach high school, they will be differentiated to choose according to their subject strengths to serve the university entrance exam and future career guidance. Don't add more complexity and don't create more burden for students."

Ms. Vu Phuong Thuy - a homeroom teacher of grade 9 in Phu Tho province believes that any change will bring progress but there needs to be a roadmap for parents and students to prepare. "The 3 subjects of Literature, Math and English should be fixed in the 10th grade entrance exam (localities that are implementing these 3 subjects should still maintain it) to help parents feel secure and students feel less pressured".

Mr. Tran Manh Tung - a Math teacher in Hanoi said that in the immediate future, the entrance exam for grade 10 should be organized with 3 compulsory subjects: Math, Literature and English because these are all "backbone" subjects needed by all students, necessary for studying at high school. In addition, compulsory English exam at this time is also consistent with the Politburo's conclusion No. 91 on making English the second language in schools, aiming to build a generation of global citizens.

Source: https://danviet.vn/ly-do-nen-chon-ngoai-ngu-la-mon-thi-thu-ba-vao-lop-10-20241021144543547.htm