High-school seniors listen as an inspector informs them with regulations before taking a test of the national high school graduation exam at a school in HCMC, August 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran. An excellent article about the status of English instruction in Viet Nam in which I'm quoted. Here's my 8.9.20 article about this issue: … Continue reading “Learning English at school, a mandatory chore that leads nowhere”
English proficiency
Resetting the Debate About English Instruction in Viet Nam
My latest essay for VNExpress International about the subpar results of the August national high school graduation exam for English. Think of it as a reality check on what is generally a favorable situation in comparative perspective. One of my key suggestions is that foreign language study be made optional at the K-12 level. An … Continue reading Resetting the Debate About English Instruction in Viet Nam
English Proficiency in Viet Nam: Giving Credit Where Credit’s Due
An article entitled What is the real English profiency level of Vietnamese? (yes, the word "proficiency" was misspelled) recently graced the Internet in Viet Nam with this description: While an education organization has ranked Vietnam in the seventh position among 21 Asian countries in proficiency of English, some experts call the result ‘flashy’, saying it does not … Continue reading English Proficiency in Viet Nam: Giving Credit Where Credit’s Due
English to be second language in Vietnam HE (The PIE News)
Educational institutions in Vietnam have been directed to implement English as a second language on campus, it has been announced, which could increase student mobility and international collaborations with the country. I was recently interviewed by The PIE News, an industry newsletter for professionals in international education, about a new initiative in Viet Nam involving the use … Continue reading English to be second language in Vietnam HE (The PIE News)
Peace Corps Coming to Vietnam for First Time
I'm very happy to see this development. It's yet another indication that Viet Nam is coming of age as a full-fledged member of the global community of nations because it reflects the government's confidence in itself and its country. In the past, the Peace Corps was viewed with official suspicion. (This is not without cause, … Continue reading Peace Corps Coming to Vietnam for First Time
Vietnam Ranks 29th in Annual EF English Proficiency Index & 5th in Asia
Here's some more good news for Vietnam and colleagues from English-speaking countries who recruit here at the secondary and postsecondary levels. According to the results of the EF (Education First) Proficiency Index, which profiles 70 countries, including 15 in Asia, Vietnam ranks 29th with "moderate proficiency" in English. Last year, it ranked 33rd out of … Continue reading Vietnam Ranks 29th in Annual EF English Proficiency Index & 5th in Asia
Gifted high schools to teach more English
High schools for the gifted will soon begin teaching some of their classes fully in English to have at least 50 percent of their graduates achieve average English language skills according to European standards. The target is expected to be hit by 2015, according to a new plan by the Ministry of Education and Training. … Continue reading Gifted high schools to teach more English
An International Educator in Viet Nam 
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