Efforts to bridge the gap in foreign language teaching.

TPO - Training and improving foreign language skills for students and teachers is one of the strong solutions that schools in Hanoi have implemented in recent times.

Mr. Phung Ngoc Oanh, Head of the Education and Training Department of Ba Vi District (Hanoi), said that in reality, the locality is a suburban district with an education system that still faces many difficulties compared to the general level of the city, especially in foreign languages.

Recognizing the difficulties arising from this reality, since 2019, the Department of Education and Training has implemented the project "Improving the Quality of Foreign Language Teaching and Learning," the first step of which was signing a cooperation agreement with the University of Foreign Languages (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) to train and improve the qualifications of teachers.

Hanoi: Efforts to narrow the gap in foreign language teaching (image 1)

The People's Committee of Ba Vi District signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Foreign Languages (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) to train and improve the qualifications of teachers.

According to the plan, the program to improve foreign language skills for primary and secondary school students will initially be piloted in only 10 out of 35 schools.

After evaluating its effectiveness, the project was implemented in all 35/35 junior high schools and is expected to be implemented in all 69/69 junior high and primary schools by 2025. The plan is considered a breakthrough in improving the quality of English in schools.

Mr. Oanh believes that to have excellent students, one must first have excellent teachers, so efforts are being made to raise the standards for teachers. Teachers are trained by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, lecturers from universities, and especially core English teachers from Ba Dinh district, Nguyen Tat Thanh High School & Junior High School (Hanoi Pedagogical University); and the Foreign Language Junior High School (Hanoi University of Foreign Languages) through the movement "Schools working together for development - Teachers sharing responsibility".

Another important factor in encouraging students to learn a foreign language is creating an English language development environment for both teachers and students.

"To help students become familiar with and develop their English language skills through specific activities such as: approaching English through drawings, images, and slogans; singing and dancing during breaks to English songs; organizing cultural and artistic activities, group games, English booths; an outdoor English library…," Mr. Oanh said.

Schools also expand geographical and historical knowledge in English about local and international landmarks through communicative practice during field trips and experiential activities.

For junior high school students, in addition to the above activities, schools also organize book promotion sessions, introduce Vietnamese culture in English, hold English public speaking competitions; and arrange for junior high school students to interact with elementary school students...

These activities are organized as extracurricular English classes, integrated with practical sessions and other school activities.

200+ Club

According to the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, in addition to teacher training and professional development , there is also a 200+ club that brings together core English teachers from various schools.

The club was founded with the common goal of improving the quality of English language teaching, building a united and supportive educational community, based on the belief that only when all teachers and students, regardless of location, have access to equal learning opportunities will the quality of education truly be sustainable.
Therefore, the club's activities are not limited to the inner city areas of Hanoi but also extend to remote areas where foreign language education faces many challenges.

Hanoi: Efforts to narrow the gap in foreign language teaching (image 2)

Hanoi aims to improve the quality of English language teaching in schools, especially in disadvantaged areas.

Throughout the IELTS teacher training course, drawing on their accumulated experience and knowledge, the members of the 200+ Club wholeheartedly supported the teachers by sharing materials, experiences, and directly guiding them on learning strategies, teaching skills, and test-taking techniques.

These training sessions not only improve foreign language skills but also help teachers access modern teaching methods and technology applications, thereby effectively applying them to their teaching practice.

In particular, there was a teacher who, despite holding support classes very late at night (from 10:30 PM to 11:30 PM), attracted many colleagues to participate enthusiastically for several consecutive weeks.

In addition, the club also organizes specialized training sessions and online classes to support teachers in Yen Bai , teachers in disadvantaged areas, and students. For these groups, the club develops teaching materials, tests, and refresher courses tailored to the specific needs of the locality.

Mutual support not only helps individuals progress but also contributes to creating a positive learning environment.

According to the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, the club has yielded positive results after a period of operation.

Specifically, the number of teachers in schools across Hanoi participating in IELTS certification courses has increased to thousands; many teachers have obtained international certificates, demonstrating their professional competence; students in suburban and disadvantaged areas have increasingly more opportunities to access effective English learning methods, helping them confidently participate in major exams; and teachers from schools in the city center, suburbs, and other localities share teaching materials and methods.

TPO - Training and improving foreign language skills for students and teachers is one of the strong solutions that schools in Hanoi have implemented in recent times.

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