Foreign language project worth over 9,000 billion VND fails to meet target

In response to a delegate's question about whether the foreign language project of more than 9,000 billion VND has achieved its target, Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha frankly answered: No!

59 National Assembly delegates registered to question Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha in the working session on the morning of November 16. At the beginning, delegate Truong Minh Anh (Principal of Hanoi College of Arts) asked about the foreign language training project until 2020, with a budget of about 9,400 billion VND, with the goal of making foreign languages ​​a strength of Vietnamese students - has the goal been achieved?

Minister Phung Xuan Nha said: "The delegate asked if the project's goals were achieved. I would like to answer directly: No."

Minister Phung Xuan Nha answers questions.

According to the Minister of Education, teaching and learning foreign languages ​​is a big issue, long-term in nature and related to many different groups of people. "We tried to come up with a roadmap, but the implementation process encountered many problems with time and funding, so we take responsibility," said Mr. Phung Xuan Nha, adding that the agency has reviewed and adjusted the approach and goals of the project.

Accordingly, the goal by 2020 is not to have "all subjects trained in foreign languages" but to focus on program innovation, teacher training, socialization, "creating a motivating environment rather than just waiting for the project implementation". He also said that the adjusted project will be submitted to the Government by the Ministry of Education in the near future.

The head of the education sector also believes that setting a goal of universal English speaking by 2035 is not achievable. For example, in Singapore, it took 38 years to popularize English for its people. "It is impossible to eliminate English illiteracy in a day or two, it takes time, but without determination, a roadmap and steps, the goal cannot be achieved," Mr. Phung Xuan Nha affirmed.

Delegate Truong Minh Anh said that "if the project sets higher foreign language requirements for students than teachers, it is not feasible", Minister Phung Xuan Nha acknowledged: "If we want to require students to be better and have better foreign language skills, then the level and requirements for teachers must be higher, of course". However, more time is needed to "popularize" foreign language skills for teachers. The Ministry of Education will work with the Ministry of Home Affairs to adjust foreign language requirements for teachers according to the right subjects to ensure feasibility. Newly recruited teachers must have a high level of English, and there will be a roadmap for the remaining teachers, avoiding the situation of "buying and selling certificates". "Teachers who do not have much time left to work should not be forced", he commented.

Commenting on the above question and answer content of Minister Phung Xuan Nha, delegate Nguyen Anh Tri expressed his support for the adjustment of the project, and said: "All foreign languages ​​are good, but the necessity is different, so there must be an order of priority. We should learn English well, if we need anything, we should learn that foreign language, do not waste people's time".

According to VNE