VietNamNet Bridge – All students at the Viet Nam National University-HCM City (VNU-HCM) are required to study in an intensive English programme at the school, according to the VNU-HCM's English Project Committee.

Illustrative image -- File photo

As a pioneer in implementing the National Language Initiative, VNU-HCM with more than 60,000 students has used English to teach major subjects in 52 faculties at its member universities, the committee said.

VNU-HCM's English Project aims to have all English lecturers with certificates in English Language Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages by 2018.

The National Languages Initiative 2020 approved by the Prime Minister in 2008 targeted English training and learning reform in the education system.

The project also required training institutions to reform examination and assessment methods in teaching foreign languages and improve the efficiency of examination and assessment of foreign language proficiency.

In 2013, VNU-HCM established the VNU-HCM English Testing Centre (VNU-ETC) to assess English proficiency for member universities of UNU-HCM, based on international standards.

The university's English Testing Centre uses the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) as an international standard for teaching and learning.

VNU-EPT certificates are accepted internally at VNU-HCM and other domestic education institutions.

The university has asked the Educational Testing and Quality Assessment Department under the Ministry of Education and Training to recognise VNU-EPT certificates in the national education system.

Vietnamese students and English learners spend billions of dong on examinations to get English certificates organised by foreign institutions, Nguyen Hoi Nghia, deputy director of VNU-HCM, said.

They can save costs by using Vietnamese institutions, which are capable of organising testing for foreign language certificates, Nghia said.

VNS