VietNamNet Bridge - At the Hanoi University of Education, students in natural sciences and technology, biology, and preschool and primary education faculties are now trained in English along with the current Vietnamese program.

According to Nguyen Van Trao, vice rector of the Hanoi University of Education, the training in English began in the 2013-2014 academic year, applied to the math faculty. 

Later, the training was applied to other faculties as well, including physics, chemistry, biology and information technology. The first math teachers trained in English will graduate from the school this year.

The major difference between the teachers trained under the old curriculum and the new one is that the latter can teach general school students. 

The next-generation teachers will ease the shortage of English instructors, especially international schools and schools for the gifted.

At the Hanoi University of Education, students in natural sciences and technology, biology, and preschool and primary education faculties are now trained in English along with the current Vietnamese program.

Chu Xuan Dung, deputy director of the Hanoi Education & Training Department, said the program on teaching students in English would run on a trial basis in the upcoming year at the Chu Van An High School. 

Students will follow the Vietnamese curriculum and the UK’s A-level curriculum. The teachers of physics, chemistry and biology have been hired, while teachers of math are still being considered.

There are five high and secondary schools in Hanoi which teach math, physics, chemistry and biology in English. 

However, though the city’s education department has provided refresher courses in English, teachers are still not confident enough to give lessons in English.

According to Vu Xuan Hoa from the Lang Son Education & Training Department, no teacher in Lang Son has been trained to teach professional subjects in English.

A representative of the Khanh Hoa provincial Education & Training Department said the teaching of math in English has begun at some schools for the gifted. 

However, since there are no English major teachers, the department has to send teachers of math to English refresher training courses.

A representative of the Hanoi University of Education’s Physics Faculty said that lecturers’ English skills and pronunciation still have not been standardized and certified by prestigious organizations. 

Meanwhile, the lesson plans are compiled by lecturers with reference from foreign materials. 

According to Pham Thi Minh An, headmaster of Olympia School, said she can see that the English and communication skills of trainee teachers at the school are not good enough. They are also weak at organizing classes. 

Therefore, An suggested that trainee teachers spend six months on an internship instead of 2 months as planned.

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