Currently, many graduates of foreign languages at universities in Vietnam wish to become teachers. However, the current teacher standards for public educational institutions require a 6-level foreign language proficiency according to Circular 01/2014/TT-BGDDT. Nevertheless, Circular No. 01.2014 and Official Dispatch No. 5624 issued by the Ministry guiding the conversion of foreign language and informatics certificates do not mention the conversion of bachelor's degrees in the English major.
Article table of contents
The 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework was promulgated together with Circular 01/2014/TT-BGDDT on January 24, 2014, prescribed by the Ministry as a "guideline" for developing teaching programs, teaching methods to facilitate cooperation, educational exchange, and recognition of diplomas and certificates with countries that also apply the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This can be considered a positive innovation, creating a system compatible with international standards. However, for teachers currently teaching at the three levels of Primary, Secondary, and Upper Secondary Education, this is not necessarily good news. One year later, the Ministry of Education and Training issued three documents, Circulars 21, 22, 23, which stipulate the standards requirements for teachers according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework attached to Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT. To be specific:
|
Teacher |
Category |
Standard |
Legislative document (Circular) |
|
Primary education |
Class II - Code: V.07.03.07 |
Level 2 |
|
|
Class III - Code: V.07.03.08 |
Level 2 |
||
|
Class IV - Code: V.07.03.09 |
Level 1 |
||
|
Lower Secondary Education |
Class I - Code: V.07.04.10 |
Level 3 |
|
|
Class II - Code: V.07.04.11 |
Level 2 |
||
|
Class III - Code: V.07.04.12 |
Level 1 |
||
|
Upper Secondary Education |
Class I - Code: V.07.05.13 |
Level 3 |
|
|
Class II - Code: V.07.05.14 |
Level 2 |
||
|
Class III - Code: V.07.05.15 |
Level 2 |
How to convert a bachelor's degree in English in Vietnam?
Since most current English certificates follow the A, B, C system, it requires a conversion according to the compatibility from the A, B, C system to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework of Vietnam. This content is also guided in Circular 01/2014/TT-BGDDT and Official Dispatch 5624/BGDDT-GDTX 2015 guiding the conversion of foreign language certificates.
However, these two documents do not mention the conversion of English bachelor's degrees in particular, foreign language degrees in general, when quite a few foreign language graduates attend additional pedagogical courses to become teachers. This is a concern for many teachers who hold foreign language bachelor’s degrees, and Thu Ky Luat has received many requests for support on this content.
So, how to convert the bachelor's degree in foreign language appropriately? According to the content in Official Dispatch 7274/BGDDT-GDDH, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training on October 31, 2012:
"According to the objectives of the Scheme, in the academic year 2012-2013, graduates of English language colleges must achieve Level 4 English proficiency, and graduates of specialized English language universities must achieve Level 5 to be awarded a degree. Therefore, schools are requested to plan and implement enhanced foreign language training programs to meet the above-mentioned output standards."
Thus, universities can base on this Official Dispatch to implement the conversion of bachelor's degrees to the appropriate 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework, creating favorable conditions for fresh graduates who wish to become teachers.
