Guidelines for organizing the teaching of foreign languages at the primary level in 2023 in Vietnam

Guidelines for organizing the teaching of foreign languages at the primary level in 2023 in Vietnam (Internet image)

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Guidelines for organizing the teaching of foreign languages at the primary level in 2023 in Vietnam

On July 31, 2023, the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam issued Official Dispatch 3818/BGDDT-GDTH guiding the organization of teaching foreign languages at the primary level in 2023 as follows:

Foreign Language 1 is a compulsory subject from grade 3 to grade 12. Educational institutions can organize the learning of foreign languages starting in grade 1 if students have needs and educational institutions are able to meet them.

Currently, Foreign Language 1 includes the following subjects: English, French, Chinese, Russian, and Japanese.

In addition, the Ministry of Education and Training has also made a pilot decision to teach Korean and German as the first foreign languages for students to choose according to their needs in Decision 712/QD-BGD&DT in 2021.

1. Optional foreign language 1 in grades 1 and 2 in Vietnam 

Based on the needs of students, students' parents, and the ability to meet guaranteed conditions, educational institutions organize the selection of a foreign language subject 1 among English, French, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Japanese, or German according to the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Note:

- When teaching elective foreign language 1 in grade 1, grade 2 should pay attention to ensuring the connection with the foreign language subject, which is compulsory in grade 3;

- The teaching time is suitable for the initial familiarization form, not causing overload for students;

- Implement assessment tests, focusing on regular assessment to support learning, not using assessment results to consider promotion;

- The elective learning of a foreign language in grades 1 and 2 must be reflected in the school's educational plan according to regulations.

For English subjects, use textbooks from the list of textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education and Training; For the remaining foreign language subjects, the educational institution shall select documents according to the competence and regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. Foreign language 1 is compulsory in grades 3, 4, and 5.

Educational institutions shall organize the teaching of the compulsory Foreign Language 1 subject according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, select one of the subjects of Foreign Language 1 that already have sufficient conditions to deploy in accordance with the organizational capacity of educational institutions, the needs of students and students' parents, and ensure the connection according to the requirements specified in the program of foreign languages and the guiding documents of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Encourage educational institutions to carry out voluntary socialization in foreign language teaching in flexible forms suitable to local realities to increase time and create a diverse environment in teaching to improve the quality of foreign languages.

2.1 Content, form, method, duration of teaching, and assessment of students' learning results

- Content, form, and method of teaching.

Carry out teaching to ensure the contents and requirements to be achieved in the program of Foreign Language 1 subjects according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Organize the teaching of all four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with priority given to the development of listening and speaking skills;

Diversify forms of teaching and learning, including learning in class, outside of class, in school, and out of school;

Create the maximum use and expression environment in foreign languages for students, enhance experiences, exchange activities, and develop the reading and story culture in foreign languages appropriate for the age, interest, and learning stage of the student.

- Teaching time

Comply with the program's regulations with a duration of 140 lessons/school year, equivalent to 04 lessons/week;

Encourage educational institutions to organize teaching to increase the amount of time spent studying Foreign Language 1 according to the needs of students and students' parents according to regulations on the basis of the school's ability to meet those needs and not cause overload for students.

- Evaluating student learning outcomes

Assess the learning results of students learning foreign languages according to the regulations on the assessment of primary school students of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Assess foreign language learners should focus on building confidence, increasing motivation, and encouraging students' efforts in learning and training. Through the assessment of students' learning outcomes, it helps teachers adjust teaching methods and techniques.

Assess the formation and development of the main qualities, the general capacity of students, and the specific competencies of the subject specified in the program.

Focus mainly on routine assessment with diverse and relevant assessment techniques.

Conduct periodic assessments gently, according to age-appropriate psychophysiology, and do not create psychological stress for students.

For periodic testing, it must cover sufficient listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills with the ratio of skills, type of exercise, number, and cognitive level of questions suitable to the teaching and learning of teachers and students and ensure the requirements are met in accordance with the provisions of the subject program.

2.2. Conditions for executing the program

- Regarding facilities, teaching equipment, and teaching aids

Ensure facilities, equipment, and teaching aids according to the regulations and guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training to organize the teaching of foreign language subjects 1.

Encourage teachers, students' parents, and students to participate in making teaching aids suitable for actual conditions to improve teaching effectiveness.

- Regarding the teaching staff

The Department of Education and Training advises the People's Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities (hereinafter referred to as the Provincial People's Committee) to implement solutions for recruiting, signing labor contracts, visiting lecturers, seconding teachers, and other diverse solutions under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training to have enough teachers to teach Foreign Language 1 as prescribed.

Organize teacher training according to the contents, programs, and plans promulgated by the Ministry of Education and Training; ensure that teachers are trained in subject curricula and use textbooks before being assigned to teach.

- Textbooks and reference materials

The Department of Education and Training advises the Provincial People's Committee to direct the selection, supply, and training of textbooks in accordance with the regulations and guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Coordinate and supervise publishing houses, organizations, and individuals with selected textbooks to organize training for teachers on subject programs and textbooks before organizing teaching with selected textbooks;

Implement appropriate solutions to supply textbooks in sufficient quantity, quality, on schedule, and convenience for students and their parents, with absolutely no delay or lack of textbooks.

Reference documents comply with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. Strengthen the equipping of reference materials and learning materials for the school library to support teachers and students in organizing foreign language teaching activities.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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