Teaching English in Nghe An: Foreign teachers' salaries are 15 times higher than domestic teachers'.

According to the Department of Education and Training, there are currently 76 foreign language centers in the province. However, only 70 centers and facilities have operating licenses. The number of centers is mainly concentrated in Vinh city (35 facilities). The remaining are concentrated in 18 other districts, cities and towns. In particular, Quy Chau and Quy Hop are two localities that do not have private foreign language centers and facilities.

From the 2017-2018 school year, Nghe An has a policy of coordinating with centers to allow foreign teachers to teach in high schools. Photo: My Ha

According to statistics, the province has 616 English teachers teaching at centers. Of which, there are 581 Vietnamese teachers and 35 foreign teachers. Notably, according to the survey, if the highest salary of Vietnamese teachers is 15 million VND/month and the lowest is 3 million VND/month, then foreign teachers are 15 times higher, equivalent to 46 million VND/month. The rate of teachers with certificates according to the regulations of the 2020 foreign language project is 468/616 teachers (76%).

Regarding the operation of foreign language centers, the Department of Education and Training annually conducts inspections. Besides the advantages, the centers still have shortcomings and limitations such as: Slow implementation of licensing procedures and reporting; incorrect implementation of signs, tables, and notices as stated in the establishment decision and the decision to grant operating licenses.

The operations of some foreign language centers and facilities have not been in compliance with regulations such as: not yet licensed but still operating (Happy Kids DT International English Center); the operating period has expired, there is no application for extension or there is an application but it has not been extended but still continues to organize teaching and learning (Happykids English and Talent and Skills Training Complex Center, Kids Today International English Facility).

Regarding foreign teachers, there are many centers that advertise differently from their licensed status: they are facilities but still advertise as centers, they do not have foreign teachers but still advertise that they have foreign teachers (Apeco facility, Smart Kids English Center, ...).

In addition, some units have not properly implemented the regulations on declaring foreign teachers to the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, the list of teachers at the center and the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs do not match (Cleverlearn English Center, APAX English Center); have not declared their activities, have not applied for a license, but the Department of Education and Training has not been able to manage them (Sao Viet English Center)...

Classes taught by foreign teachers create excitement for students. Photo: My Ha

At this time, there is no financial document regulating the tuition fees in foreign language centers, so it is very difficult to direct, manage and operate. Currently, the foreign language facility with the highest fee is 300,000 VND/student/session (APAX English Center), the lowest fee is 25,000 VND - 30,000 VND/student/session (Global English Center, Newstar and centers located in districts).

Among the operating centers, no unit is qualified to organize exams and issue exam certificates to students because it does not meet the conditions prescribed inCircular No. 23/TT-BGDDT dated September 29, 2017 of the Ministry of Education and Training on promulgating regulations on assessing foreign language proficiency according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnamese people.

Currently, foreign language centers and facilities only issue certificates of course completion or coordinate with international testing centers to test and issue certificates to students.