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| English Speaking Contest - one of the solutions to help improve students' English proficiency. |
In recent times, English has been taught in 100% of primary, secondary and high schools; national foreign language teaching projects such as Project 2020, Project on teaching and learning foreign languages in the national education system 2025 (Project 2080), Pilot Project on strengthening English teaching in general schools in Nam Dinh province in the period 2015-2020 (Project 1965), Project on strengthening English teaching in general schools in Nam Dinh province in the period 2021-2026 (Project 1792) have been widely and effectively implemented; English teaching models have been actively developed in cooperation with foreign teachers; an elective English program has been implemented for 26.06% of students in grades 1 and 2; Piloting the implementation of teaching English through teaching Math and Science in English in some primary schools... Since 2016, the Department of Education and Training has coordinated with the British Council to foster pedagogical skills and improve teaching capacity for English teachers from primary to high school levels...
The implementation of solutions to improve students' foreign language skills has brought about many positive results. Schools have proactively developed plans and arranged English teaching time reasonably, flexibly and closely following the new generaleducation program. English teachers are encouraged to innovate their methods and develop lessons in a way that maximizes students' communication and creative thinking skills. English lessons do not only focus on theory and grammar but also pay more attention to experiential and practical activities, helping students to communicate boldly and confidently use English in real-life situations.
In particular, the effective implementation of many national foreign language projects such as Project 2020, Project 2080, Project 1965 and Project 1792 is an important foundation for improving the quality of English teaching and learning; creating opportunities for students to access modern learning methods, close to international standards. Through the implementation of the projects, teachers are trained, improve their pedagogical skills, and update advanced teaching methods. Students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, English competitions, exchange programs, and connect online with international friends, thereby practicing communication skills, expanding vocabulary and enhancing the ability to respond to English.
Since the 2022-2023 school year, schools in the province have signed cooperation agreements to teach English with foreign teachers. Bringing foreign teachers into direct teaching contributes to bringing a new atmosphere, practical approaches and international standards in learning foreign languages for students; further developing listening, speaking and pronunciation skills. Thanks to that, students have access to native English, practice their reflexes and use foreign languages naturally and effectively. In addition to native teachers, the provincial Department of Education also accepts international volunteers to participate in supporting teaching at educational institutions, helping students broaden their horizons and understand more about the culture and customs of English-speaking countries. Students are inspired with passion and interest in learning, practicing self-study and self -discovery habits. The change in students' awareness and learning attitude has created a solid foundation for English to become a close, familiar and important language in the school environment.
To make students interested in learning foreign languages, along with innovation in formal teaching, schools also organize attractive extracurricular activities such as "Ring the Golden Bell", "Catching the Word", "English Festival", English Club... to help students practice communication skills and English thinking in a natural and comfortable way; organize "connecting classes" across borders, typically Giao Thien Primary School (Giao Thuy), Tran Quoc Toan Primary School (Nam Dinh city)... Every year, maintain the organization of the Provincial English Speaking Contest, attracting the participation of hundreds of students from primary, secondary and high schools, creating a playground and motivation for students.
The Education and Training sector also promotes the application of information technology, builds digital school models, develops digital learning materials, organizes online connected lessons, helping students have more opportunities to interact, exchange and practice English communication skills with international students and teachers. Organizing debate competitions, Math and Science competitions in English, foreign language festivals create useful playgrounds, improve students' confidence and language skills. The system of facilities serving English teaching and learning at schools is strongly invested. The whole province has 483 foreign language classrooms and modern supporting equipment such as projectors, smart TVs, headphones, interactive software... are equipped synchronously, helping teachers organize flexible, creative and effective lessons. Electronic libraries and digital learning material warehouses are built, providing rich reference materials, helping students have more reliable learning resources.
Schools focus on improving the quality of English teachers. Training and education to improve teachers' professional capacity and pedagogical skills are carried out regularly. The provincial Department of Education and Training has coordinated with prestigious universities and international educational organizations to organize training courses to improve listening - speaking - reading - writing skills and effective and modern English teaching methods. Up to now, 95% of English teachers in the province have reached B2 standard; 98.7% of secondary school teachers have reached B2 standard and 99.1% of high school teachers have reached C1 standard according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. These figures affirm the province's efforts and determination in "standardizing" the foreign language teaching staff.
With these efforts, in recent years, Nam Dinh has always been in the top 10 provinces with the highest results in the national high school graduation exam in English. Many students have achieved high results in regional and international competitions in Informatics, Biology, Chemistry... At the 2023 Viettel World Office Informatics Championship, students from Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted won the Bronze Medal, marking their outstanding foreign language and technology skills. Notably, last January, Phan Bao Ngoc, a student from Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, won the Gold Medal at the 2025 Asian Chemistry Olympiad AChO; in April, Nguyen Quynh Chi, also a student from Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, won the Gold Medal at the United States Biology Olympiad (USABO) held online in English.
In order to realize the goal of improving students' foreign language proficiency and "gradually making English the second language in schools" as the goal set out by the Politburo in Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW dated August 12, 2024, it is necessary to continue to pay attention to and invest more strongly in facilities and equipment for teaching and learning foreign languages, especially in disadvantaged areas and areas far from the provincial center. In addition, it is necessary to have special incentives and support policies for English teachers working in disadvantaged areas to attract and retain high-quality teachers.
Article and photos: Minh Thuan
Source: https://baonamdinh.vn/xa-hoi/202506/nang-cao-nang-luc-ngoai-ngucho-hoc-sinh-pho-thong-6c91749/
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