Hundreds of schools in Nghe An have not yet studied the 10-year English program.

On the morning of October 28, the Department of Education and Training held a conference to discuss solutions to improve the quality of foreign language teaching and learning in high schools in Nghe An province.

Delegates speaking at the conference. Photo: My Ha

English teaching quality does not meet demand

According to the report of the Department of Education and Training, after nearly 10 years of implementing the Plan "Teaching and learning foreign languages ​​in Nghe An province in the period 2010 - 2020", the whole province now has 394/558 schools with primary school students organizing foreign language teaching according to the 10-year foreign language program from grade 3, accounting for 70.6%.

At the secondary level, 329/405 schools and at the high school level, 4 schools implement the 10-year program. The rest are studying the 7-year foreign language program.

Reality also shows that although English teaching and learning in the province has had positive changes, compared to many other localities, the results achieved are still low. For example, at the primary level, currently in other provinces in the North Central region, the rate of students studying the 10-year English program has reached over 90%, but in Nghe An it is only over 70%. The whole province has 7 localities that have not taught English to students in grades 1 and 2. In the 2019 National High School Exam, English was the subject with the lowest exam results with an average score of only 3.75 points/student.

English class of students at Huoi Tu 2 Primary School - Ky Son. Photo: My Ha

For example, in Ky Son district, currently only 8/33 primary schools teach English, mainly at the main school level. At the secondary level, only 5/19 schools teach the 10-year program. The whole district is lacking nearly 60 English teachers.

In favorable localities, English teaching is also having shortcomings.

As at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, the current facilities do not meet the requirements. The school has piloted a partnership to teach English with centers, but according to the school's leadership: After a year of partnering with an English center in Vinh City to teach foreign languages ​​to the school's students, nearly 100% of the participating students wrote a letter of resignation for reasons such as: The program is easy and not suitable for the students. The change in the curriculum is not effective. In addition, the fee of 80,000 VND/session/student (about 2 million VND/session) is not suitable for all students, especially students from difficult family circumstances.

Director of the Department of Education and Training Thai Van Thanh speaks at the conference. Photo: My Ha.

Need to quickly remove the shortcomings

With the above shortcomings, many issues were also raised at the conference, that is, the work of developing the teaching staff has not met the implementation requirements. Of which, only 31% of teachers at the high school level meet the standards. Resources from the budget and socialized investment for the implementation of the plan have not met the progress of the plan, only reaching nearly 55%.

The awareness of the importance of foreign languages ​​among some management staff in educational units and parents of students is not high. Some foreign language teachers and students still lack the awareness to improve their expertise and study to improve their level and ability to use foreign languages.

Speaking at the conference, Director of the Department of Education and Training Thai Van Thanh affirmed: To promote comprehensive education, it is necessary to promote the teaching of STEM, IT and foreign languages ​​in schools.

Particularly in Nghe An, in the context of low quality of foreign language teaching and learning, the whole industry must make efforts. To do so, the immediate task is to have a new foreign language teaching model. In which, teachers must be the leaders to build a good foreign language learning environment, creating a communication environment from school to family and the whole society.

A foreign language class for primary school students in Vinh city. Photo: My Ha.

Currently, Nghe An education sector is also promoting expansion and cooperation with organizations to promote teaching and learning foreign languages ​​in schools according to international standards. However, to implement effectively, it is necessary to choose the appropriate program, have a suitable management plan and have a commitment to output.

From now until 2025, Nghe An will also continue to expand the 10-year foreign language program in primary, secondary and high schools, ensuring that 100% of students who have studied the new program in lower grades are qualified to continue studying in upper grades.