On June 20, Hanoi National University of Education organized the National Conference "Innovating training and fostering teachers teaching subjects in English at the primary level in the context of international integration".
The workshop was held in the context of the Project to Make English a second language in schools in the period 2025-2035, with a vision to 2045, which has been approved by the Prime Minister.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Son - Rector of Hanoi National University of Education - said that the conference is an opportunity to look back at more than a decade of implementing the training program for Primary Education - English Pedagogy, aiming to build a team of primary school teachers capable of teaching subjects in English in general education schools.
This is an opportunity to scientifically evaluate the achieved results, identify existing limitations and draw necessary lessons learned. The achievements and accumulated experiences will be the foundation for Hanoi National University of Education, the Faculty of Primary Education and teacher training institutions to strengthen cooperation, share orientations and continue to promote the training of primary school teachers with the ability to teach in English in the coming time" - Mr. Son emphasized.
Dr. Nguyen Thuy Chung - Head of the Department of Primary Education, Hanoi National University of Education - said that teaching English as a second language at the primary level needs to avoid two extreme trends. On the one hand, it should not be widespread when it is not fully guaranteed in terms of curriculum, learning materials, teaching staff, facilities and learning environment. On the other hand, it is also not advisable to be afraid or miss the opportunity to experiment with suitable innovation models that have a basis for evaluation and the ability to be replicated.
The core issue is to find a direction that both meets the requirements of international integration, is suitable for the development characteristics of Vietnamese students, develops English proficiency, and ensures the quality of learning subjects, while absorbing international experience but still maintaining the identity, foundation and goals of Vietnamese primary education" - Ms. Chung said.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Huu - Head of the National Foreign Language Project Management Board, Ministry of Education and Training - said that three important components to implement the Project to make English a second language in schools include: Developing academic English proficiency; using English in teaching and research; and building an environment to use English in the entire educational activities of schools.
According to Ms. Mai Huu, the Project needs to be implemented according to an appropriate roadmap, ensuring feasibility and effectiveness, in which Hanoi National University of Education is expected to play a pioneering role, starting from the Faculty of Primary Education, as a basis for expanding and replicating the model throughout the system of teacher training institutions.
