Nghe An: Approving the Project to improve the quality of foreign language teaching and learning

On the afternoon of June 23, the Provincial People's Committee continued its regular meeting in June 2020. Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Comrades Hoang Nghia Hieu - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Le Ngoc Hoa - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee co-chaired the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy

At the meeting, the Provincial People's Committee listened to the draft Project to improve the quality of foreign language teaching and learning in educational institutions in Nghe An province for the period 2020-2025, with a vision to 2030. The development and promulgation of the above Project demonstrates the province's determination to improve the quality of foreign language teaching and learning in the province.

Because compared to the requirements, the teaching and learning of foreign languages ​​in the province still has many limitations and shortcomings. The implementation of the 10-year English program according to the Foreign Language Project 2020 in general education is still low in both the number of schools and the number of students.

The quality of mass foreign language teaching and learning is low, the national high school graduation exam results in English of Nghe An province students are lower than the national average.

The foreign language proficiency of students after graduation has not met the requirements of human resources in the context of regional and international integration. Facilities and teaching staff have not met the requirements; mechanisms, policies and environments to promote foreign language teaching and learning are still lacking.

Comrade Thai Van Thanh - Director of the Department of Education and Training presented the draft Project at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy

The project sets out 6 tasks and solutions including: Strengthening communication work; creating a favorable environment; promulgating mechanisms and policies to promote foreign language teaching and learning; Implementing foreign language teaching and learning in educational institutions according to output standards of levels, grades, majors and training occupations; gradually improving quality according to international standards; Developing a team of foreign language teachers and lecturers with sufficient quantity and quality assurance; Strengthening facilities for foreign language teaching and learning in the direction of applying information technology; Promoting international cooperation and socialization in foreign language teaching and learning; Improving management efficiency, strengthening inspection and supervision of management levels on the implementation of foreign language teaching and learning.

The project also sets out specific targets for preschool and general education; vocational education, continuing education, and university education by 2025 and 2030.

In particular, for general education, by 2025, at least 20% of students in grades 5, 9 and 12 will achieve international foreign language proficiency certificates after graduating from each level of education; by 2030, 70% of students in grades 5, 9 and 12 will achieve international foreign language proficiency certificates after graduating from each level of education.

Comrade Thai Van Thanh - Director of the Department of Education and Training said that in the near future, a contract will be signed with a US testing organization (one of the leading international organizations - headquartered in Nghe An) to organize surveys and issue international standard English certificates such as: IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC for students.

English class of students at Le Mao Primary School, Vinh City. Photo: My Ha

The Department of Education and Training will develop plans such as: Implementing enhanced foreign languages ​​in schools, integrated foreign languages ​​in schools, and dual degree programs in schools.

The Director of the Department of Education and Training also hopes that the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee will issue a directive to direct the entire political system to participate in promoting the quality of foreign language teaching and learning in the province.

The Provincial People's Committee has approved the draft Project to improve the quality of foreign language teaching and learning in educational institutions in Nghe An province for the period 2020-2025, with a vision to 2030.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung requested the Department of Education and Training to complete the Project to submit to the Provincial People's Committee for approval; at the same time, advise the Provincial People's Committee to draft a Directive on this content to submit to the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee for consideration; ensuring that the Project is issued and implemented effectively in the coming time.

Overview of the regular meeting of the Provincial People's Committee on the afternoon of June 23. Photo: Thanh Duy

At the working session this afternoon, the Provincial People's Committee listened to, commented on and approved many other important contents such as: Draft Decision of the Provincial People's Committee promulgating regulations on decentralization of management, protection, and promotion of the value of historical and cultural relics and scenic spots in Nghe An province; Draft Decision of the Provincial People's Committee promulgating Regulations on specific criteria and procedures for reviewing dossiers requesting approval for the issuance of documents approving the construction, conversion, leasing, and purchase of fishing vessels at sea in Nghe An province;...