Before 2030, Ho Chi Minh City will make English the second language in schools.

From the 2025-2026 school year, Ho Chi Minh City will begin preparing for a step-by-step roadmap to make English the second language in schools with 2 phases and specific solutions.

From Conclusion No. 91 on implementing fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training to Resolution 71 on breakthrough development in education and training, the Politburo emphasized and pointed out tasks and solutions requiring the education and training sector to strengthen the teaching and learning of foreign languages, gradually making English the second language in schools and teaching the languages ​​of neighboring countries.

S WILL SPECIFICALLY DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF SUBJECTS Taught IN ENGLISH

Based on the legal basis as well as from the reality and advantages of teaching and learning English in Ho Chi Minh City for nearly 20 years, Ho Chi Minh City is gradually preparing for the roadmap to implement the requirement of having schools using English as the second language the earliest and most in the country.

Dr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, said that currently, many countries in the world have successfully implemented the bilingual education model, making English the second language in schools. From international experience, according to Mr. Hieu, to implement it, it is necessary to focus on a number of solutions.

That is to build a favorable environment for learning and using English, encouraging students to use English in daily communication. Innovating English teaching and learning methods, focusing on developing communication skills, applying English in practice. Improving the quality of English teachers, improving the quality of teachers of subjects with English proficiency to meet the requirements of teaching in an international integration environment. Strengthening international cooperation in the field of English education, learning advanced experiences from countries that have successfully implemented English as a second language teaching programs in schools and countries with developed education.

A lesson with a foreign teacher for primary school students in Ho Chi Minh City

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

The leaders of the Department of Education and Training also said that the specialized departments of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City are reviewing the contents of the draft criteria for making English the second language in schools. In particular, it will specify the number of subjects taught in English, the amount of time students use English, some assessment standards... so that schools can be recognized as English as the second language in schools.

PILOT AT 39 HIGH SCHOOLS

Regarding the preparation of steps in building a roadmap to make English the second language in schools, Ms. Lam Hong Lam Thuy, Head of the General Education Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, commented that Ho Chi Minh City has many advantages in piloting the implementation thanks to the effective implementation of programs and projects right from grade 1 such as the English Enhancement Program from the 1998-1999 school year, the Integrated English Program (Project 5695 - Teaching and learning math, science and English integrating the English and Vietnamese programs" from the 2014-2015 school year...

From there, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training built 4 implementation steps, starting from improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools; Expanding the environment for using English outside of schools; Applying technology and digital transformation; Piloting in 39 high schools to implement high-quality programs, advanced school models and replicating the model.

IMPLEMENTATION IN 2 PHASES

According to Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the city will gradually make English the second language in schools before 2030.

Ms. Lam Hong Lam Thuy also informed about the roadmap to gradually make English the language in general schools in Ho Chi Minh City in 2 phases. In which, the 2025-2026 school year is the first phase of preparation and piloting with tasks such as establishing a steering committee for the project at the city level, issuing documents guiding professional, financial and human resources for implementation. Completing the survey, comprehensively assessing the current situation and developing detailed plans and roadmaps for each school and each locality. Starting to implement language proficiency training courses and mass teaching methods for teachers. Selecting and starting the process of building detailed projects for public schools to pilot international programs.

Phase 2 (from 2027 to 2030) will be widely deployed and evaluated, and digital classrooms will be put into operation as planned. Pilot schools of the international program will begin enrolling the first courses. A mid-term review will be held at the end of 2027 to draw lessons and make adjustments (if necessary). A comprehensive review and evaluation of the results of the Project implementation in the 2025-2030 period will be held at the end of 2030.

Ho Chi Minh City has many advantages when piloting the implementation of making English the second language in schools.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

Based on the preliminary results of the 2025 - 2030 period, build the next phase project with higher goals, aiming to make English truly become a second language, popular in learning, research and life, contributing to building Ho Chi Minh City into an educational, economic and financial center of Asia.

To gradually prepare for the above project, Ms. Tran Thuy An, Principal of Vo Truong Toan Secondary School (Saigon Ward), said that public schools in Ho Chi Minh City can implement teaching in English according to a roadmap based on the state's incentive and support mechanisms for teachers.

High schools can teach mathematics and natural sciences in English first, with the encouragement and support of foreign teachers in the beginning. In addition, to make English the language of communication in schools, it is necessary to enhance the interaction between teachers. The implementation roadmap can be 4-5 years to ensure the coverage of teaching using English as a second language in all subjects.

Conditions and policies required

To move towards implementing the policy of making English the second language in schools, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Head of the English Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, said that institutional and policy conditions need to be carefully planned, clear and consistent with the policy. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure synchronization between educational institutions and support from local authorities.

The city needs to issue documents with clear regulations on the implementation of English as a second language, defining the goals, implementation roadmap, pilot schools and standards to be achieved in each phase. There needs to be new, clear regulations on output standards for English proficiency for students at each level, ensuring that students' English proficiency is improved after completing the general education program.

Ho Chi Minh City needs to develop a policy for recruiting and training teachers with specific standards, in line with the new policy for recruiting English teachers, including requirements for degrees, prestigious international certificates (such as TESOL, CELTA) and teaching capacity. At the same time, there should be policies to encourage and provide financial support for teachers to participate in courses to improve their English teaching capacity; policies to encourage cooperation with international organizations, language research institutes and foreign partners to access advanced English teaching methods, exchange teachers and update learning materials. The city also needs to have a policy for recruiting foreign teachers, creating favorable conditions for them to participate in bilingual education programs. In addition, there needs to be preparation of facilities and information technology infrastructure.

Regarding teaching materials, according to Dr. Binh, they need to be of high quality and consistent with international standards and the characteristics of Vietnam. In addition, it is also necessary to develop other quality materials, supplementary materials such as workbooks, listening materials, and English learning video programs to support students in comprehensive and regular learning.

At the same time, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City proposed that the Ministry issue a national project "Gradually introducing English as a second language in schools" to create a unified and synchronous legal corridor nationwide, issue specific regulations and instructions on competency standards and working regimes for teachers teaching other subjects in English; develop appropriate English teacher standards...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/truoc-nam-2030-tphcm-dua-tieng-anh-tro-thanh-ngon-ngu-thu-2-trong-truong-hoc-185250831204641137.htm