Step by step towards making English a second language

*Students of Le Dinh Chinh Primary School (Hoa Cuong Ward) were excited during the activity "I am a global citizen". Photo: THU HA*

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to synchronously deploy solutions, especially strengthening the teaching staff, building a bilingual learning environment and expanding English activities outside the classroom.

Create a bilingual environment

Last October, Le Dinh Chinh Primary School (Hoa Cuong Ward) organized the model "I am a global citizen of Le Dinh Chinh Primary School". This is an English speaking playground for all students of the school, the content is presented in English for 3-5 minutes, attracting the participation of many students of all grades.

Ms. Huynh Thi Thu Nguyet, Principal of Le Dinh Chinh Primary School, said that this is one of the activities to gradually promote English activities in schools. To prepare for the activities of the model "I am a global citizen", the school has added bilingual books to the library so that students have more reference materials.

Through specific content and topics, students enhance their learning and confidently present their test results in English, thereby significantly improving their skills, making them more confident and fluent in speaking.

*Joining clubs helps students become more confident in communication. Photo: THU HA*

To increase the effectiveness of teaching and learning, the school has an English club, which plans to organize monthly themed activities. In addition to the 5 English teachers at the school, the school also takes advantage of the source of foreign students who come to the school for internships every year to coordinate activities for students, creating opportunities for them to interact and speak English with foreigners.

Through research, many primary schools in the city have been forming club models with regular monthly activities to enhance knowledge and skills for students such as Hung Vuong Primary School (Hai Chau ward) organizing an English club with the theme "English around us" for 5th grade students with diverse and fun content such as: relay racing to show quick wit, high team spirit, storytelling competition, presentation in English...

Bao Han, a student of class 5/2, said that the club's activities give her the opportunity to demonstrate her English skills and practice communication and teamwork skills.

In order to create a useful and creative playground for students who love English, Pham Nhu Xuong Primary School (Dien Ban Dong Ward) launched an English Club with the motto "Learn - Play - Shine". This is a place for students to practice listening - speaking - reading - writing skills through interesting activities; helping them to confidently communicate, boldly express themselves in a friendly, dynamic environment... contributing to fostering a passion for foreign languages, arousing the spirit of integration and confidence to shine for students.

Improving the quality of English teachers

From the second semester of this school year, Nguyen Hue Secondary School (Hai Chau Ward) 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 begin to expand and encourage teachers with master's degrees in other subjects who meet the B1 English proficiency standard, and two Bachelor's degrees in English to teach the subject of Experiential Activities - Career Guidance in English.

*Students confidently present and tell stories in English. Photo: THU HA*

Other subjects such as Math, Natural Sciences , Literature... can familiarize students with basic scientific words and concepts in English in some subject-opening activities.

Mr. Nguyen Van Viet, an English teacher at Nguyen Hue Secondary School, believes that in order to have a team that can teach other subjects in English, students and teachers must be exposed to and communicate in English every day. English teachers can organize reading and English communication activities in the library corner during recess, and discuss practical topics related to daily life to improve students' communication skills and English reflexes.

Mr. Vo Thanh Phuoc, Principal of Nguyen Hue Secondary School, said that the school will build an English space in the classroom and library, promote English club activities and test and evaluate English proficiency for grade 9 students.

*Pham Nhu Xuong Primary School (Dien Ban Dong Ward) launched an English club. Photo: NTCC.*

To enhance the English-using environment, recently, the Foreign Language Department of the school has coordinated with a number of international English centers in the area to organize English club activities revolving around the topics studied. With the whole school's teaching staff, to foster English communication, the Foreign Language Department of the school has also coordinated to implement language teaching methods, basic communication in English in the classroom, helping teachers of other subjects to approach and develop interaction 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 (University of Danang ), improving the capacity, training and developing the teaching staff is a key factor in implementing the project "Making English the second language in schools". In particular, universities can organize training to improve the teaching capacity of English teachers who teach other subjects in English through short-term and long-term courses, regular training to create a large network of teachers...

Source: https://baodanang.vn/tung-buoc-huong-toi-dua-tieng-anh-thanh-ngon-ngu-thu-hai-3309741.html