In the current program, English is only offered once students reach their third grade.
Starting with the 2018-2019 academic year, English will be offered as an elective course for first and second graders, VietnamNet reports. Titled “Getting to Know English for First and Second Graders,” the program aims to prepare students in their first and second grades for their third year’s compulsory English program.
The courses will emphasize conversational skills. Thus, teaching and training will focus on listening and speaking. The program will consist of 140 school periods distributed throughout four academic terms (two in first grade and two in second grade).
According to the document issued by Ministry of Education and Training, the program will expose students to English gradually with age-appropriate methods that “foster a fondness for the subject.” Teachers are encouraged to create a friendly environment for learning via fun activities such as games or songs.
The course is offered as part of Vietnam’s National Foreign Language project initiated in 2008 and set to end in 2020, which has been under scrutiny for its failure to produce results.
[Photo via Dan Tri]
