Applying technology to make English a second language in schools

On November 7, Permanent Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong chaired a meeting with the British Council on making English the second language in schools using artificial intelligence software technology.

At the working session, Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong said that the upgrading of Vietnam-UK relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership opens up many new opportunities and room for cooperation, including cooperation in teaching and learning English.

In the Joint Statement, the UK affirmed that it will continue to support Vietnam in promoting English teaching and training, towards the goal of making English the second language in Vietnamese schools by 2035.

The Deputy Minister expressed his hope that the two sides will increase exchanges and propose specific and effective solutions to realize the common goal of developing and improving the quality of English teaching and learning in schools.

According to Mr. Tim Hood - Director of Global Strategy, British Council, in the strategy of supporting and accompanying the Ministry of Education and Training to implement English as a second language in schools, British Council will implement testing of English proficiency of Vietnamese teachers; build a program focusing mainly on listening and speaking skills.

The British Council also aims to support Vietnam in integrating artificial intelligence software into the Ministry of Education and Training's educational program; and deploy teacher training on methods and the use of artificial intelligence in teaching English in schools.

Commenting that implementing digital learning methods will create an equal learning environment for students, Thai Van Tai, Director of the General Education Department, noted the need to clarify solutions for integrating artificial intelligence into teaching and deploying digital textbooks. During the implementation process, it is necessary to carefully study the orientation of converting textbooks to digital textbooks that Vietnam is perfecting. At the same time, clarify control tools when applying artificial intelligence into teaching.

Highly agreeing with the goal of assessing the English proficiency of the current teaching staff, according to Director of the Department of Teachers and Educational Managers Vu Minh Duc, this will help the Ministry of Education and Training orient the training and development of English teachers in the coming time. Supporting and accompanying the implementation of artificial intelligence applications in English teaching is of great significance, especially in shortening the educational gap, helping teachers in remote and isolated areas access more effective teaching methods.

Permanent Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong discussed at the working session.

Appreciating the useful sharing of the British Council, Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong emphasized: "Both sides must take action"; in particular, they must be ready to prepare for technical requirements.

The Ministry of Education and Training's viewpoint is to speed up the Project but it must be truly effective. Therefore, synchronous implementation of solutions is necessary.

With the British Council's international experience in cooperating with other countries around the world in implementing English teaching and learning in schools, the Ministry of Education and Training hopes to learn from this experience to implement it better and faster in Vietnam.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/ung-dung-cong-nghe-dua-tieng-anh-tro-thanh-ngon-ngu-thu-hai-trong-truong-hoc-post755804.html