HOW VIETNAMESE STUDENTS ARE READY FOR ENGLISH MEDIUM EDUCATION: A BRIEF REVIEW ON STUDENT ATTAINMENT
Main Article Content
Abstract
The year 2025 marks the beginning of a new phase in Vietnam’s education system, particularly in English language education. Following Conclusion No. 91 by the Politburo, which stresses the importance of improving students’ foreign language proficiency and aims to gradually establish English as a second language in schools - a goal described as both challenging and necessary (Vietnamnet, 2024), multiple policy dialogues, reviews, and reports have been conducted to lay the legal groundwork for this significant reform. Given the current state of English language teaching and learning in Vietnam and the expectations for English Medium Education (EME), it is essential for education stakeholders to assess how teachers and students are prepared for their roles in this reform. Their readiness will be crucial in achieving the goals of international integration and economic growth. This systematic review examines Vietnam’s foreign language policies, student achievement, and the opportunities and challenges in English language education. The findings aim to provide insights into students’ current capabilities, serving as a foundation for future policy developments in EME.
Article Details
Keywords
English Medium Education (EME), assess, student achievement, opportunities, challenges
References
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Ha, T. T. (2024) The Implementation of E- Materials in Schools. VNIES Conference paper.
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Le, A. V., & Luong, T. G. (2024). Implementing Integrated Programs in Schools. VNIES Conference paper.
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Le, T. T. H., Nguyen, T. T. Q., Nguyen, T. N., & Nguyen, M. D. (2021). Applying the Lesson Study Model in Developing Teaching Capability for Young Teachers in Vietnam. European Journal of Educational Research, 10(4), 1755-1768. EJ1318417.pdf
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Nguyen, D. T., & Tran, D. (2023). High school mathematics teachers’ changes in beliefs and knowledge during lesson study. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 26(6), 809-834. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857-022-09547-2
Nguyen, T. T. T., & Hamid, M. O. (2018). Bilingualism as a resource: Language attitudes of Vietnamese ethnic minority students. Current Issues in Language Planning, 19(4), 343-362.
Nguyen, T. T. T., & Hamid, M. O. (2019). Language choice, identity and social distance: Ethnic minority students in Vietnam. Applied Linguistics Review, 10(2), 137-161.
Nguyen, V. C. (2024). Policies to Use English as the Second Language in School as adopted by authorities at various levels and by school management. VNIES Conference paper.
Nguyen, T. C., & Ho, B. N. (2023). Using lesson study for teacher development: A case study of Vietnamese EFL teachers’ reflections. CTU Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 15(3), 72-80. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctujoisd.2023.052
Nguyen, T. P. L., & Vu, Q. (2020). Alignment of curriculum, outcomes, and standards in Vietnamese English language teacher education. Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal, 11(2), 3443-3449.
Nguyen, T. B., & Lo, Y. H. (2022). Perceptions of Vietnamese EFL High School Teachers and Students towards English as a Lingua Franca. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(1), 327-348. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.222120
Nguyen, T. T. T., & Nguyen, H. T. M. (2017). Thinking globally or “glocally”? Bilingual identity of Vietnamese international school students. International Journal of Educational Research, 85, 24-32.
Ngo, X. M. (2022). English assessment in Vietnam: status quo, major tensions, and underlying ideological conflicts. Asian Englishes, 26(1), 280-292. https://doi.org/10.1080/13488678.2022.2132128
Phung, N. O. (2024). Current situation, solutions to improve the quality of teaching and learning English in Primary schools in Bavi. Report at Ba Vi’s Conference on English Teaching and Learning.
Quốc hội. [National Assembly] (2019). Luật Giáo dục (Education Law). Law No. 43/2019/QH14 issued on 14/6/2019.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2008). Decision No. 1400/QĐ-TTg of September 30,2008, approving the scheme on foreign language teaching and learning in the national education system in the 2008-2020 period.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2014). Decision No. 72/2014/QĐ-TTg dated December 17, 2014, providing for teaching and learning in a foreign language at schools and other educational institutions.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2017). Decision No.2080/QĐ-TTg dated December 22, 2017, on approval of the adjustments and supplements to the Project on Foreign Language Teaching and Learning in the National Education System for the 2017–2025 Period.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2024). Decision No.1600/QĐ-TTg dated December 19, 2024 on approval of scheme for international integration in education and training till 2030.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2024). Decision No. 1705/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2024 on approval of education development strategy by 2030, orientation toward 2045.
Tran, M. N. (2024). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Supplementary or Intensive Teaching and Learning of English in Schools. VNIES Conference paper.
Tran, T. H. G. (2024). Learning Foreign Languages and Assessment of Learning in General Education Schools in Vietnam. VNIES Conference paper.
Tran, L. H. N., Nguyen, T. P. A., Nguyen, T.A., & Nguyen, T. M.D., (2023). Graduates’ Feedback on the Contribution of General English Courses to Their English Skills for Work Purposes. In English Language Education for Graduate Employability in Vietnam (pp. 207-232). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Tran, L. H. N, Tran, T. L., & Ngo, T. M. (2023) English Language Education for Graduate Employability in Vietnam. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Viện Khoa học Giáo dục Việt Nam [VNIES]. (2023). Báo cáo tổng kêt tình hình dạy và học tiếng Anh tại Viet Nam năm 2023 (Summary report on teaching and learning English in Vietnam 2023).
Viện Khoa học Giáo dục Việt Nam [VNIES]. (2024). Báo cáo tổng kêt tình hình dạy và học tiếng Anh tại Viet Nam năm 2024 (Summary report on teaching and learning English in Vietnam 2024).
Vietnamnet. (August 17, 2024). Making English Vietnam’s second language: A challenging but necessary task.https://vietnamnet.vn/en/making-english-vietnam-s-second-language-a-challenging-but-necessary-task-2312817.html
Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo. [Ministry of Education and Training] (2014). 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam. Circular 01/2014/TT-BGDDT of Ministry of Education and Training date issued 24/01/2014
Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo. [MoET] (2018). Circular No. 21/2018/TT-BGDDT dated August 24, 2018 prescribing the regulation on organization and operation of foreign language and computer training centers
Bộ Giáo Dục và Đào tạo. [MoET] (2019). Giáo dục Ngoại ngữ: Báo cáo thường niên năm 2019 (Foreign language education: 2019 annual report).
Dang, T. (2022). A Mediated Learning Experience Perspective on Engagement with Feedback Through a Sequence of Tasks. International Journal of TESOL Studies, 4(4), 125-145. https://doi.org/10.46451/ijts.2022.04.08
Do, D. L. (2024). Teaching Maths and Science in Schools. VNIES Conference paper.
Ha, T. T. (2024) The Implementation of E- Materials in Schools. VNIES Conference paper.
Ho, M. H. T., & Nguyen, H. T. (2019). English as a lingua franca for Vietnam. In V. C. Le, H. T. M. Nguyen & R. Barnard (Eds.), Building teacher capacity in English language teaching in Vietnam: Research, Policy and Practice (pp. 166-183). Routledge.
Ho, T. B. (2024). The Feasibility of Teaching English from Grade 1. VNIES Conference paper.
Ho, T. B. (2024). The Feasibility of Teaching English from Grade 1. VNIES Conference paper
Hoang, V. V. (2020). The Roles and Status of English in Present-day Vietnam: A Sociocultural Analysis. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 36(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.25073/2525 2445/vnufs.4495
Hoang, V. V. (2022). Interpreting MOET'S 2018 General Education English Curriculum. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 38(5), 1-22.
Kien, L. T., & Nghia, T. L. H. (2023). The Contribution of English Language Education to Students’ Development of Soft Skills and Personal Attributes. In English Language Education for Graduate Employability in Vietnam (pp. 165-184). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Lam, L. T. (2018). General English for non-majors in Higher Education. In J. Albright (Ed.), English tertiary education in Vietnam (pp. 86-101). Routledge.
Le, A. V., & Luong, T. G. (2024). Implementing Integrated Programs in Schools. VNIES Conference paper.
Le, T. K., Tran, L. H. N. (2023). The Contribution of English Language Education to Students’ Development of Soft Skills and Personal Attributes. In English Language Education for Graduate Employability in Vietnam (pp. 207-232). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Le, T. T. H., Nguyen, T. T. Q., Nguyen, T. N., & Nguyen, M. D. (2021). Applying the Lesson Study Model in Developing Teaching Capability for Young Teachers in Vietnam. European Journal of Educational Research, 10(4), 1755-1768. EJ1318417.pdf
Le, V. C. (2017). An Evaluation of the Project to Improve School Teachers’ Language Proficiency and Pedagogic Competency. NFLP report, Hanoi.
Ly, C. K. (2022). English as a Global Language: An Exploration of EFL Learners’ Beliefs in Vietnam. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 3(1), 19-33. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.23312
Nguyen, C. D., & Ha, X. (2023). ‘Even studying higher, we just end up with earning a living by picking coffee cherries’: challenges to educational equity for ethnic minority students in Vietnam. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 53(6), 967-985.
Nguyen, C. D., & Tran, T. N. T. (2024). Languages and Ethnic Minority Students’ Access to Education in Vietnam: Problems Turned into Opportunities from the Perspective of Translanguaging. In L. H. Phan, B. Dat, J. Windle (Eds.), Vietnamese Language, Education and Change in and Outside Vietnam (pp. 159-180). Springer Nature Singapore.
Nguyen, D. T., & Tran, D. (2023). High school mathematics teachers’ changes in beliefs and knowledge during lesson study. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 26(6), 809-834. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857-022-09547-2
Nguyen, T. T. T., & Hamid, M. O. (2018). Bilingualism as a resource: Language attitudes of Vietnamese ethnic minority students. Current Issues in Language Planning, 19(4), 343-362.
Nguyen, T. T. T., & Hamid, M. O. (2019). Language choice, identity and social distance: Ethnic minority students in Vietnam. Applied Linguistics Review, 10(2), 137-161.
Nguyen, V. C. (2024). Policies to Use English as the Second Language in School as adopted by authorities at various levels and by school management. VNIES Conference paper.
Nguyen, T. C., & Ho, B. N. (2023). Using lesson study for teacher development: A case study of Vietnamese EFL teachers’ reflections. CTU Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 15(3), 72-80. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctujoisd.2023.052
Nguyen, T. P. L., & Vu, Q. (2020). Alignment of curriculum, outcomes, and standards in Vietnamese English language teacher education. Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal, 11(2), 3443-3449.
Nguyen, T. B., & Lo, Y. H. (2022). Perceptions of Vietnamese EFL High School Teachers and Students towards English as a Lingua Franca. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(1), 327-348. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.222120
Nguyen, T. T. T., & Nguyen, H. T. M. (2017). Thinking globally or “glocally”? Bilingual identity of Vietnamese international school students. International Journal of Educational Research, 85, 24-32.
Ngo, X. M. (2022). English assessment in Vietnam: status quo, major tensions, and underlying ideological conflicts. Asian Englishes, 26(1), 280-292. https://doi.org/10.1080/13488678.2022.2132128
Phung, N. O. (2024). Current situation, solutions to improve the quality of teaching and learning English in Primary schools in Bavi. Report at Ba Vi’s Conference on English Teaching and Learning.
Quốc hội. [National Assembly] (2019). Luật Giáo dục (Education Law). Law No. 43/2019/QH14 issued on 14/6/2019.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2008). Decision No. 1400/QĐ-TTg of September 30,2008, approving the scheme on foreign language teaching and learning in the national education system in the 2008-2020 period.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2014). Decision No. 72/2014/QĐ-TTg dated December 17, 2014, providing for teaching and learning in a foreign language at schools and other educational institutions.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2017). Decision No.2080/QĐ-TTg dated December 22, 2017, on approval of the adjustments and supplements to the Project on Foreign Language Teaching and Learning in the National Education System for the 2017–2025 Period.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2024). Decision No.1600/QĐ-TTg dated December 19, 2024 on approval of scheme for international integration in education and training till 2030.
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. [The Prime Minister] (2024). Decision No. 1705/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2024 on approval of education development strategy by 2030, orientation toward 2045.
Tran, M. N. (2024). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Supplementary or Intensive Teaching and Learning of English in Schools. VNIES Conference paper.
Tran, T. H. G. (2024). Learning Foreign Languages and Assessment of Learning in General Education Schools in Vietnam. VNIES Conference paper.
Tran, L. H. N., Nguyen, T. P. A., Nguyen, T.A., & Nguyen, T. M.D., (2023). Graduates’ Feedback on the Contribution of General English Courses to Their English Skills for Work Purposes. In English Language Education for Graduate Employability in Vietnam (pp. 207-232). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Tran, L. H. N, Tran, T. L., & Ngo, T. M. (2023) English Language Education for Graduate Employability in Vietnam. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Viện Khoa học Giáo dục Việt Nam [VNIES]. (2023). Báo cáo tổng kêt tình hình dạy và học tiếng Anh tại Viet Nam năm 2023 (Summary report on teaching and learning English in Vietnam 2023).
Viện Khoa học Giáo dục Việt Nam [VNIES]. (2024). Báo cáo tổng kêt tình hình dạy và học tiếng Anh tại Viet Nam năm 2024 (Summary report on teaching and learning English in Vietnam 2024).
Vietnamnet. (August 17, 2024). Making English Vietnam’s second language: A challenging but necessary task.https://vietnamnet.vn/en/making-english-vietnam-s-second-language-a-challenging-but-necessary-task-2312817.html