Is there unhealthy competition among English training institutions?
(Baonghean.vn) - That is the issue raised through a survey of the activities of foreign language centers, facilities, and study abroad consulting units by the Department of Culture and Society, Provincial People's Council on August 16 at a number of foreign language centers in Vinh city.
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| The Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Committee conducted a survey at Cleverlearn English Center. Photo: Minh Chi |
Survey at 3 English Centers Cleverlearn, ASEM Vietnam International English Center, APAX English Center, besides recording the positive results of the centers,The monitoring delegation raised some concerns regarding the current tuition fee structure, which each center builds on its own based on its own accounting, not based on any regulatory framework.
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| The delegation surveyed the facilities at APAX English Center. Photo: Minh Chi |
For example, at APAX English Center, the average tuition fee is 3.1 million VND/month; Cleverlearn English Center, the average is more than 3.8 million VND/3 months; ASEM Vietnam International English Center charges depending on the level, the lowest is more than 1.6 million VND and the highest is nearly 3 million VND/study program.
In addition, the management of foreign teachers is causing problems. For example, at ASEM Vietnam International English Center, according to the unit's report, there are 2 foreign teachers, but according to the list provided by the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, this unit only has 1 foreign teacher with a work permit in the province.
Or at APAX English Center, with 100% foreign teachers and a total of 17 teachers in 2 facilities; but 1 out of 3 teachers in facility 1 was transferred from other provinces, the unit has not provided complete legal documents to the survey team.
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| The delegation inspected the disclosure of students' contributions. Photo: Minh Chi |
During the survey at SCOTS English Center, the delegation noted shortcomings. Although the unit had submitted a request to the Provincial People's Committee for a license since May 2018, after 3 months it still has not been granted an operating license.
Through the survey, the delegation also noted a number of recommendations from the centers related to facilitating the rotation of foreign teachers from other provinces to teach in Nghe An; at the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to planning English training facilities, avoiding the situation of having too many facilities in the same area, leading to unhealthy competition....
