English in Schools: Step by Step to a Second Language

Education and Training - Teaching and learning English in general schools is now implemented as a subject.

To make English the second language in schools, it is necessary to have a suitable roadmap with conditions for staff, enhance the English-using environment, and diversify bilingual activities outside the classroom.

Adjusting teaching and learning methods

Nguyen Hue Secondary School (Hai Chau, Da Nang) from the second semester of this school year will pilot 1-2 classes teaching the subject of Experiential Activities - Career Guidance in English. On this basis, from the 2025-2026 school year, we will start to expand and encourage teachers with master's degrees in other subjects who meet the B1 English proficiency standard/two Bachelor's degrees in English to teach Experiential Activities - Career Guidance in English and other subjects such as Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Literature, Civic Education ... in some basic warm-up activities, helping students get acquainted with basic scientific words/terms/concepts in subjects in English.

At the same time, Mr. Vo Thanh Phuoc - Principal said that he will build an English space in the classroom and library, promote English club activities and test and evaluate English proficiency for grade 9 students. To enhance the English-using environment and diversify bilingual activities outside the classroom, recently, the Foreign Language Group, Nguyen Hue Secondary School has coordinated with a number of international English centers in the area to organize monthly English club activities revolving around the topics studied.

Cao Minh Khue - a student of class 7/4 said: "Participating in club activities, I gradually become more confident when speaking English, not paying too much attention to grammar structures so I can speak better in real-life situations."

Mr. Nguyen Van Viet - English teacher, Nguyen Hue Secondary School said: To have a team to teach other subjects in English, students and teachers must be exposed to and communicate in English every day. Teachers of the Foreign Language Group and students organize reading and English communication activities in the library corner during recess on practical topics surrounding daily life to enhance students' communication skills, respond more naturally in English and create a friendly library corner.

The library has an English corner with signs, announcements, and bookshelves in English to create excitement for students to love reading, explore and use English regularly. Integrating STEM through projects in the annual STEM festival organized by the school to help students acquire new languages ​​and practice applying English in an interdisciplinary learning context.

To prepare for the project of making English the second language in schools, Tran Hung Dao Primary School (Cam Thanh, Quang Ngai ) has proactively invested in facilities and improved foreign language skills for the teaching staff. Each classroom is equipped with a smart TV with Internet connection, helping teachers easily exploit the library of learning materials and electronic lectures for teaching.

The school also built two modern foreign language classrooms with interactive boards, sound systems, computers, English learning software, etc., creating a visual and lively environment for students.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Trang - Principal said that 100% of English teachers meet the required professional standards, regularly participate in training courses on teaching methods, and are encouraged to self-study and apply technology in teaching. This is an important foundation to help the school ensure the requirements for effective project implementation.

Tran Hung Dao Primary School also socializes education, cooperates with English centers with foreign teachers to organize lessons and communication clubs to help students practice language reflexes. At the same time, technology and AI are applied in teaching to support pronunciation, practice skills and create a rich online learning environment.

The school also focuses on building a culture of using English in school life through activities such as “English Newsletter”, “Daily English Corner”, or the “One day - one English sentence” movement. Extracurricular activities, flag salutes and academic events in English are held regularly to help students confidently practice and communicate naturally.

Students of Le Dinh Chinh Primary School (Hoa Cuong, Da Nang ) compete in the presentation "I am a global citizen" in English. Photo: NTCC

Improving teacher capacity

Mr. Pham Duc Phuoc - Principal of Ly Tu Trong Pedagogical Practice Secondary School (Kon Tum, Quang Ngai) said that the policy of making foreign languages ​​the second language in schools is in line with the development orientation of the school, which is aiming at the goal of international integration and educational innovation in a modern and advanced direction.

According to Mr. Phuoc, the school's English teachers are currently qualified, 100% of classes have implemented the English program according to the project of the Ministry of Education and Training. At the same time, the facilities are increasingly improved: There are English teaching equipment, computer classrooms, electronic libraries, STEM rooms and many clubs to support the development of foreign language skills for students.

“The school's students are dynamic, have aspirations to improve and are adaptable to advanced learning programs. This is a great advantage in implementing the new content of the project,” said Mr. Phuoc.

However, besides the advantages, Mr. Phuoc pointed out many difficulties and challenges that need to be recognized in reality. Many local students have difficult circumstances and lack the conditions to learn foreign languages ​​after school.

The gap in English teacher capacity, especially the ability to teach interdisciplinary integration in English, remains a major problem. There are currently not enough specialized teachers to teach natural sciences in English - an important requirement if English is to become a real second language.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Van Viet commented that regarding the requirements for foreign language proficiency standards for teachers of some subjects that can be taught in foreign languages, young teachers can meet the requirements without spending much time on additional training. Currently, most young teachers in high schools improve their professional skills by studying for a master's degree.

In particular, the requirements for foreign language proficiency must be met, so the standard requirements are not too difficult. However, to use English as the language to teach other subjects, teachers need more communication environments, for example, it is possible to increase the number of foreign volunteer teachers for high schools.

To train English communication skills for teachers in the whole school, the Foreign Language Department of Nguyen Hue Secondary School cooperates with English centers with foreign teachers to train basic English communication skills for teachers in the whole school at least once a month.

The training content focuses on language teaching skills and methods, familiarizing teachers with pedagogical situations and basic communication in English in the classroom, helping teachers of other subjects approach and develop interactive skills with students so that they can apply them to integrated teaching of English and other subject knowledge.

According to Dr. Huynh Ngoc Mai Kha - Vice Principal of the University of Foreign Languages, Danang University, improving teachers' capacity is a core factor to implement the Project of Making English the Second Language in Schools.

In particular, universities can organize training to improve teaching capacity for English teachers teaching other subjects in English through short-term and long-term courses, regular training to create a large network of teachers.

Training forms need to be diverse, from forums, seminars, webinars. Universities also need to promote their role to support high schools in connecting with international cooperation. It is necessary to effectively exploit digital transformation in all training and training activities such as learning materials systems, open learning materials, LMS, interactive applications and teaching tools...

English lesson at Ly Tu Trong Pedagogical Practice Secondary School (Quang Ngai). Photo: Nguyen Dung

Narrowing regional gaps

Ms. To Vu Thi Bich Van - Vice Principal of Phuoc Loc Primary School No. 1 (Tuy Phuoc, Gia Lai) said that making English the second language in schools is a correct policy, which needs to be implemented early and with clear direction.

However, according to Ms. Van, in order for the policy to be implemented, it is necessary to pay attention to the differences in teaching and learning conditions between regions. In rural and mountainous areas, the physical facilities are limited, English teachers are lacking and their capacity is not equal, making the implementation of the new program difficult.

Therefore, the State needs to have a policy of investing in training and fostering qualified teachers. At the same time, it needs to support funding, materials, and modern teaching equipment to create a favorable and equal learning environment for students in all regions.

“The implementation needs to have a reasonable roadmap, suitable to the capacity of students at each level and each locality. We should not focus on achievements or create pressure to study, but should aim to create love and interest in learning English,” Ms. Van shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc - Head of the Foreign Language Group, Duc Pho High School No. 2 (Khanh Cuong, Quang Ngai) said: "Almost every year, the English test scores in the school's 10th grade entrance exam are low. In particular, when re-examining students, their knowledge and skills are almost zero. Usually, after the mid-term test of grade 10, the professional group must make quality statistics to develop appropriate teaching solutions. In particular, focusing on additional tutoring for average and weak students."

Duc Pho High School No. 2 is building a pilot plan to organize each grade to have about 1-2 classes with high English input scores to build an environment to increase the use of English as a language instead of just stopping at it as a subject.

During the teaching and learning process, teachers must create situations for students to practice listening and speaking reflexes. Written exercises are mainly for students to do at home, and teachers will mark and correct each student.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Trang - Principal of Tran Hung Dao Primary School (Cam Thanh, Quang Ngai): "The effectiveness of the project lies not only in language proficiency, but also in the innovation of modern teaching methods, application of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching.

A dynamic, friendly and open English learning environment will help students access international knowledge, study and communicate more effectively. The project aims to develop Vietnamese people comprehensively, capable of mastering global technology, knowledge and culture.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/tieng-anh-trong-truong-hoc-tung-buoc-den-ngon-ngu-thu-hai-post754898.html