The shift from learning English to 'pass exams' to learning to develop skills.

English is no longer a priority subject.

From three English lessons, Ms. Tran Thi Hang's daughter, currently in 7th grade in Vinh City, has now decided to focus on just one lesson with her regular English teacher at school. The other lessons aimed at obtaining an English certificate have been discontinued to concentrate on other academic subjects.

Not only for junior high school students, but the teaching and learning of English in high schools has also undergone many changes after English went from being one of the three compulsory subjects to an elective. At Ky Son High School, according to school statistics, this year only 13 out of 500 12th-grade students registered to choose English as an elective subject.

Having taught English for many years, Ms. Truong Thi Lan, a teacher at Ky Son High School, seemed to have anticipated this choice from her students.

"

"For students at my school, learning English is quite difficult because they didn't have a smooth learning experience in previous levels of education."

Therefore, the fact that students are choosing other subjects over English in the current exam is entirely due to reality. With their current abilities, the amount of knowledge required to choose English would be less secure and more challenging than other subjects."

Teacher Truong Thi Lan - Ky Son High School

This school year, Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Thu, an English teacher at Nam Dan 1 Secondary School, is also responsible for teaching students in 5 classes of 12th grade. Among these, only a few classes, such as D1 and D3, had students initially oriented towards the humanities/social sciences (Block D), resulting in a relatively high percentage of students registering for the English exam. The overall percentage is only around 30%. Given this reality, Ms. Thanh Thu says it's "quite disheartening" because it's possible "students haven't yet understood the importance of this subject."

"

"I'm fortunate to teach classes where most students are aiming for university entrance exams, so for now, they haven't completely turned their backs on English."

However, teaching in a class with diverse students and different goals presents many challenges for teachers, requiring them to prepare a variety of exercises to suit their needs.

"Hopefully, after graduation, the students will have a proper understanding and reorient themselves, because English is one of the essential skills in this era of integration," Ms. Thu shared.

Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Thu - English teacher at Nam Dan 1 Secondary School

Make learning English fun.

English used to be a compulsory subject in the High School Graduation Exam and one of the three subjects in the entrance exam for grade 10. However, starting this academic year, English is no longer the only option and instead offers several alternatives. At the high school level, English has become an optional subject. At the junior high school level, the Ministry of Education and Training is drafting a proposal requiring localities to choose a third subject that varies from year to year, instead of English as has been the case until now.

With these changes, English language learning in schools has clearly been significantly affected. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Anh, an English teacher at Nghi Loc 5 High School, stated: "The changes to the English subject have two sides. Firstly, it reduces the pressure on teachers preparing for exams, as it has been very difficult to prepare English for lower-ranked students. In previous years, we had to provide continuous tutoring to achieve the desired results. However, there are also drawbacks. I've noticed a change in students' attitudes towards English; they are no longer as serious and diligent as before. This leads to many difficulties in teaching English in schools, affecting the overall quality of education, especially in rural schools like ours."

Due to the lower starting point and the uneven level of student proficiency compared to before, the Foreign Language Department at Nghi Loc 5 High School has now divided students into groups for teaching according to their abilities. In the general classes, to create interest among students, teachers have reduced the amount of homework and exam preparation. Instead, they focus on improving students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills based on lesson themes, and guide students in creating videos to encourage them to love and learn English voluntarily.

Similarly, at Ky Son High School, Ms. Truong Thi Lan added: "We determined that the more difficult the subject, the more effort teachers must put in. Alongside motivating students, we must change our teaching methods. The knowledge in the 2018 General Education Program is relatively difficult, so English teachers must convey the program's objectives accurately, but also adapt it to the students' level and abilities. Teachers must explore and utilize information technology in their lessons, sparking interest in learning, thereby conveying knowledge and engaging students..."

"

Recognizing the practical value of English for students' future, the school regularly strives to improve the quality of its teaching staff.

At the same time, we are investing in facilities and equipment to support English learning at the school. Currently, the school has two labs for students to practice English effectively, improving their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills."

Teacher Le Van Tao – Principal of Ky Son High School

Regarding the lower secondary level, Ms. Ho Thi Ngoc Diep, an English teacher at Vinh Tan Secondary School (Vinh City), also shared: "If English is no longer one of the three compulsory subjects in the entrance exam, it will lead to changes in English teaching in schools."

"

In reality, in the past, students studied for exams, as a matter of obligation, and did not see the importance of English, nor did they find it enjoyable or interesting.

But now, with English no longer being subject to exam pressure, learning English will be more relaxed, shifting from studying for exams to studying for real-life applications. From the teachers' perspective, we will also have to change our teaching and learning methods to create interesting and engaging lessons for our students."

Ms. Ho Thi Ngoc Diep – English teacher, Vinh Tan Secondary School (Vinh City)

This change is also expected to bring a "breath of fresh air" to teaching and learning in schools. Mr. Phan Trong Dong, Principal of Dien Chau 3 High School, added: The new high school graduation exam format does not affect the quality of teaching and learning foreign languages ​​at all levels of secondary education. When English is not a compulsory exam subject, it both lightens the burden on students during preparation and creates a new direction in foreign language teaching and learning.

My Ha