Despite significant interest and investment in English education, Vietnam continues to face challenges in elevating English proficiency nationwide.
English was introduced as a compulsory subject in middle and high schools in 1982 and trialed in primary schools in 1996. The desire to learn English surged after Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization in 2006-07 and remains high.
Under the general education program implemented in 2008, the time allocated for English instruction increased. Primary school students are required to attend four 45-minute classes per week, while secondary and high school students have three classes per week. By the 2022-23 academic year, over 2.9 million students, accounting for two-thirds of the total student population, had studied English for at least 10 years under a Ministry of Education and Training program launched in 2008.
Despite these efforts, Vietnam’s English proficiency remains modest. The country ranked 60th out of 113 countries in the 2022 EF English Proficiency Index, placing it in the “average” proficiency category.
Experts attribute the limited progress to several factors, including outdated curricula, a teacher-centered approach that limits student interaction, and an overemphasis on grammar and vocabulary at the expense of practical communication skills. Additionally, there is a shortage of qualified English teachers, particularly in rural areas, which hampers effective language instruction.
To address these challenges, the Vietnamese government has extended its National Foreign Languages Project to 2025, aiming to improve teaching quality, update curricula, and enhance students’ practical language skills. However, experts caution that it may take decades before English becomes a second language in Vietnamese schools.
In conclusion, while Vietnam has made commendable efforts to improve English proficiency through increased instructional time and national projects, significant challenges remain. Addressing outdated teaching methods, ensuring a sufficient number of qualified teachers, and focusing on practical communication skills are essential steps toward achieving higher English proficiency nationwide.
Related
Source: Vietnam Insider