In just a short time, the trend of finding errors and analyzing accents has become a trend, causing many people to admit that they are "English mute" for fear of being criticized, even though Vietnam is aiming for the goal that by 2035, 100% of students will learn English as a second language.
Pressure to pronounce correctly when speaking English
The incident involving the pronunciation of a foreign language center director who achieved IELTS 9.0 has created a wave of debate about “speaking standard English”. A series of videos analyzing and exposing pronunciation errors quickly spread, opening up a “pronunciation market” where every mistake is publicly dissected.
From a communication tool, English is gradually becoming a measure of comparison that makes many people afraid to speak up.
Not only adults, a case study at a primary school in Da Nang in 2024 showed that 76% of third graders were worried about being negatively evaluated when learning English. Many learners also admitted to being criticized and compared to native speakers even when they were in the practice stage.
Comments, parodies and mocking comments further increase the fear of making mistakes, making young people more likely to choose silence than to dare to speak. In this context, English has gone from a communication tool to a symbol of class and judgment.
Need to change approach to English
While the fear of speaking is still widespread, the Ministry of Education and Training aims to make English the language used in learning and daily communication from now until 2035. The program will be implemented at 6 levels, aiming for all children to have access to English as a second language by 2045.
Dr. Mark A. Ashwill, Managing Director of Capstone Vietnam, believes that confidence is more important than perfection. “Learning a foreign language is a skill that needs to be practiced. Learners should not be afraid of making mistakes. With confidence and proper practice, pronunciation accuracy will come later,” he said.
When English is returned to its proper role as a communication tool, learners have the opportunity to use the language more confidently and effectively in life.
The biggest barrier for Asian learners of English is the fear of making mistakes. Learners often worry about being corrected or judged when communicating, which can reduce their confidence and limit their language practice.
Experts also emphasize the role of teachers in creating a safe learning environment that encourages cooperation rather than competition. Students should focus on improving their own skills rather than comparing themselves to native speakers. Effective communication and the ability to convey information are important factors.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/video-tranh-cai-phat-am-cua-hien-tuong-ielts-da-lam-day-len-lo-ngai-ve-tam-ly-so-sai-19625112114482176.htm
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