Integrating English to equip learners for success

Integrating English to equip learners for success

To continue to help Vietnam's learning community achieve their goals in life and work, the recent decision to make English the second language taught in schools is a significant step forward.

Mr Jonny Western, Head of Program (New Initiatives), School of English and University Pathways at RMIT Vietnam, provides further insights. 

What is the current state of English proficiency in Vietnam? 

Based on the EF English Proficiency Index, which is a large-scale ranking of countries by proficiency, Vietnam is ranked 58th out of 113 countries (it is 7th of 23 in Asia). It is ranked as having Moderate Proficiency.  

Mr Jonny Western, Head of Program (New Initiatives), School of English and University Pathways, RMIT Vietnam Mr Jonny Western, Head of Program (New Initiatives), School of English and University Pathways, RMIT Vietnam

How can we improve Vietnam’s English language proficiency? 

It is essential to invest in the development of educators and to make teaching an attractive career path.  

For a nationwide impact on proficiency, young learners should have access to high quality language instruction. To achieve this, Vietnamese educators need excellent levels of English proficiency and pedagogical knowledge so that they can provide high quality instruction and model effective use of English. This requires teacher training programs that nurture language teachers and support their professional development. 

While teaching is a highly respected profession in Vietnam, financially it is not as attractive as other career paths. As a result, many talented Vietnamese people with exceptional English-speaking skills are often attracted to other industries due to the financial stability they offer.   

Another challenge for language development in Vietnam is that learners often focus on learning English to achieve their target score on a proficiency test, such as IELTS, to apply for overseas travel, university admission, or exemption from school classes. 

When an exam result is the motivation for learning, students can obsess over tips and tricks, and repeatedly take practice exams, which does not support meaningful language learning. While achieving the target result in a proficiency test is important, and an achievement to celebrate, it is crucial to develop the language skills to cope once they commence study on a degree program in English or begin employment in a company where communicating in English is essential to the role. 

Therefore, the best approaches prepare students with the language, intercultural, communication, and study skills that enable them to integrate and thrive in English-speaking contexts.  

An enhanced commitment to high quality training and professional development for Vietnamese educators, and a greater emphasis on producing language learners with a strong command of the language as opposed to a test score, could have a dramatic impact on English proficiency in Vietnam. These can be driven by government policy development, such as the greater integration of English into school curricula as a medium of instruction.  

The key to achieving fluency in a second language lies in discovering interests and passions that can be enjoyed in English. The key to achieving fluency in a second language lies in discovering interests and passions that can be enjoyed in English.

Can we draw any lessons from other countries, such as the Philippines and Singapore?

The Philippines is ranked 20th out of 113 countries in the EF English Proficiency Index, and Singapore is second. For both countries, some of this success can be linked to the use of English as a lingua franca in schools. Theoretically, this ensures that all students can develop their English while studying their core subjects at school, rather than needing to enrol in additional classes at extra expense to learn the language. 

To have the best chance of success in mastering a language, it is helpful to start learning at a young age, and for it to be a purposeful and engaging process. Integrating language learning into schools or studying extracurricular language courses are common ways for children to start learning early.   

Greater integration of English into school curricula will provide learners with strong and well-rounded language skills that allow them to excel in their future studies and careers. In turn, this will help ensure that young people in Vietnam have the language skills required to meet its international goals.  

At RMIT, we are delivering high-level English language courses, to help learners develop language skills. We are focused on much more than just preparing for language proficiency tests. We want to provide learners with the skills to be able to effectively communicate in English and interculturally. 

Additionally, our degree programs are delivered in English (known as English Medium Instruction (EMI)). This means our students graduate with both expertise and language skills ready to excel in their chosen career paths. Developing the language ability of graduates and our industry partners contributes to improving English proficiency in Vietnam.

Story: June Pham

10 October 2024
Engage

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