On October 11, 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training (DOET) in collaboration with EMG Education organized a seminar on "Some solutions to make English the second language in schools in Vietnam".

The seminar was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong, leaders of departments and specialized agencies under the Ministry, Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of HCMC DET, representatives from district Departments of Education and Training, and educational institutions.

A presentation at the seminar

The seminar aimed to propose solutions for implementing the Politburo's Conclusion No. 91, which sets the goal of gradually making English the second language in schools. Through in-depth presentations at the seminar, delegates discussed and shared about the current status of English teaching and learning.

From these discussions, they proposed comprehensive, practical, and effective solutions concerning policy mechanisms, teacher training, curriculum innovation, assessment methods, as well as the coordination of all levels of departments, sectors, and the whole society to realize this strategic goal.

In his opening remarks at the seminar, Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City DOET, outlined some key solutions such as building an English-speaking and learning environment, innovating English teaching and learning methods, improving the quality of teachers, and strengthening international cooperation in English language education.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of HCMC DOET, speaks at the seminar

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu emphasized, "To successfully achieve the goal of making English the second language in schools in Vietnam, we need the collective effort of the entire political system, active participation from all levels of government, sectors, educational institutions, scientists, experts, businesses, along with the support of parents and the whole society."

The seminar also proposed a model for implementing curriculum frameworks and testing and evaluation solutions based on the three-level implementation stratification, including the level of comprehensive implementation of teaching English as a second language, teaching English as a second language at the standard level, and the lowest level of starting to implement step by step.

Over the past years, Ho Chi Minh City has been implementing many breakthrough programs and projects such as the English enhancement program; the program “Teaching and learning Mathematics, Science and English integrating the English and Vietnamese programs” under Project 5695; the high-quality school model “Advanced Schools, International Integration” in Ho Chi Minh City according to Decision No. 07/QD-UBND.

These successes demonstrate that Ho Chi Minh City is well-positioned to begin comprehensive implementation of English as a second language in select schools.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong speaks at the seminar

Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Minister Phạm Ngọc Thưởng underscored the Ministry's commitment to advising the government on developing a national-level proposal to make English the second language in schools. This proposal will include solutions for resource allocation, policy mechanisms, teacher training and development, and opportunities for native English-speaking teachers to work in Vietnam.

"We need five main pillars: state management, scientists and experts, educators (educational institutions), schools, and businesses, to contribute ideas for this national-level project. In my opinion, this proposal can be completed by 2025, with a clear roadmap and implementation solutions. The practical experience of Ho Chi Minh City in implementing Project 5695 shows that we need a strategy and a specific plan…

We must implement comprehensive solutions, identify immediate, long-term, and breakthrough solutions. We should not adopt a uniform approach but focus on conditions where they are suitable. Encouraging localities with favorable conditions like Ho Chi Minh City to lead and guide effective English teaching and learning," emphasized Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong.

According to Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong, “Some Solutions to Make English the Second Language in Schools in Vietnam” is the first large-scale seminar organized since the Politburo's Conclusion No. 91 was issued on August 12, 2024. It demonstrates Ho Chi Minh City's determination to pioneer in making English the second language in schools.

Source: Media and Events Center (Ministry of Education & Training)