Teaching some subjects in foreign languages ​​from primary school

Primary education institutions teach and learn some subjects in foreign languages, with priority given to subjects in the fields of natural sciences.

The above content is in Decree No. 222/2025/ND-CP dated August 8, 2025 of the Government regulating teaching and learning in foreign languages in educational institutions.

For general education institutions implementing the Vietnamese general education program, some subjects, educational activities, or some contents of some subjects and educational activities can be taught and studied in foreign languages, with priority given to subjects in the fields of mathematics, natural sciences , technology and information technology.

Teaching some subjects in foreign languages from primary school has specific regulations to be implemented in the coming time.

PHOTO: NL

For higher education , programs, curricula, subjects, modules, and credits of higher education approved by competent authorities are taught partly or entirely in a foreign language.

Textbooks and university education materials used for teaching and learning in foreign languages are approved by the director or principal of the university based on the appraisal results of the appraisal council established by the principal, ensuring compliance with the textbook and document appraisal process....

The Decree also encourages the application of information technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in teaching and learning in foreign languages in educational institutions through the use of technology tools and platforms.

Teachers must have at least level 4 foreign language proficiency.

The Decree details the requirements for expertise, professional skills and foreign language proficiency for teachers. Accordingly, teachers must meet the requirements for expertise, professional skills, training and fostering levels as prescribed for each level of education and training level.

Regarding foreign language proficiency, primary and secondary school teachers must have a minimum foreign language proficiency of level 4 according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam, or equivalent; high school and vocational education teachers must have a minimum foreign language proficiency of level 5.

Lecturers teaching at university levels must have foreign language proficiency that meets the teaching requirements of the training program, at least level 5.

"People who have received full-time university, master's, or doctoral training abroad with a foreign language as the language of instruction and have a recognized diploma according to regulations or a bachelor's degree in foreign languages or foreign language pedagogy in Vietnam are exempt from foreign language proficiency requirements," the Decree states.

Regarding tuition fees, the Decree stipulates: For public general education and continuing education institutions , tuition fees for organizing teaching and learning in foreign languages are collected according to the principles of correct calculation, full calculation, revenue to offset expenditure and with the consent of learners.

The collection, use and management of these tuition fees shall comply with the regulations of the People's Councils of provinces and centrally-run cities.

For higher education institutions public , based on the level of financial autonomy and the ability to pay of learners to determine tuition fees on the basis of economic and technical norms according to the provisions of the Law on Higher Education and the Government's regulations on tuition fee management mechanism for public higher education institutions in the national education system.

Currently, the Ministry of Education and Training aims to have all high school students learn English as a second language by 2035, at levels 1, 2, 3. At university level, it is levels 4, 5, 6. Some large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are piloting teaching and learning in English in public schools, focusing on natural science subjects.

However, localities all stated that the biggest difficulty in implementation is the lack of teachers with foreign language proficiency requirements to teach subjects in foreign languages.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/day-mot-so-mon-bang-tieng-nuoc-ngoai-tu-tieu-hoc-185250809164854873.htm