High school graduation exam from 2025 will not require English, is it worth worrying?
Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Training shared concerns about the high school graduation exam from 2025 according to the 2+2 plan, without foreign languages.
The Ministry of Education and Training has just announced the plan to organize exams and consider recognizing high school graduation from 2025. The chosen plan is 2+2, which means 2 compulsory subjects (Literature, Math) and 2 optional subjects (among the remaining subjects studied in grade 12 including: Foreign languages, History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Economic and Legal Education, Information Technology, Technology).
Thus, in this plan, Foreign Language - a subject considered a tool for integration - is not a compulsory subject.
When reporters asked what plans the Ministry will have to ensure the quality of teaching when Foreign Language is no longer a compulsory subject, Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong - Director of the Department of Quality Management (Ministry of Education and Training), said that if the compulsory Foreign Language exam is organized, it will not only be English but all 7 foreign languages. If the exam is made, it will be for 7 subjects, however, students are allowed to take the Foreign Language exam of their choice.
Foreign Language in the 2018 General Education Program is focused on, specifically, from grade 3 it is studied, and at junior high school and high school it is a compulsory subject and is tested and evaluated. Thus, from grade 3 to grade 12, students can study and choose the Foreign Language they like and orient themselves.
“That is the most important foundation for students to supplement and improve their capacity and quality in foreign languages. In the teaching and learning process, foreign languages are given great attention by the Ministry of Education and Training and integrated into all output standards of students. Therefore, it cannot be said that just because of this exam, the teaching and learning process is affected. We believe that the teaching and learning process is continuous, considering all subjects the same in the learning process,” said Mr. Chuong.
The reporter also raised the issue of failing the 2024 high school graduation exam. What guidance will the Ministry give schools on reviewing for students, because the 2025 high school graduation exam will have many innovations.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Ha - Deputy Director of the Department of Quality Management (Ministry of Education and Training), said: "The general principle is that students who study according to the program will take the exam according to that program. For these students, we can calculate so that they can still take the exam according to the 2006 General Program. Therefore, students can be completely assured that they do not have to study according to the 2006 program but must take the exam according to the 2018 General Program", Mr. Ha said.
Speaking more about the benefits for candidates who failed the high school graduation exam in 2024 and will take the graduation exam in 2025, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy - Director of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training) added:
“University admission regulations have been kept stable for the past two years. Regardless of the exam, schools must still ensure the principle of fair admission between admission methods. Thus, regardless of the exam, students will still be admitted fairly.”
Another question is: in the optional subjects section, can candidates choose more than 2 optional subjects? And if they choose optional subjects, is it necessary that the subjects they register for the subject combination must be the ones they studied at high school?
Regarding this, Mr. Ha said that it is also necessary to consider whether it is necessary for students to take many subjects and many combinations with the goal of saving for society. Meanwhile, with 2 elective subjects, students can also form suitable combinations for university admission.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Ha added that the illustrative questions for the 2025 high school graduation exam will only be available after students have completed the 12th grade program. Meanwhile, according to the 2018 General Education Program, students will only study up to the first semester of 11th grade. "However, understanding that this is very important and as a guide for teachers' teaching and students' learning, the leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training have decided to announce the illustrative structure of the 2025 high school graduation exam immediately after testing the format in terms of structure," Mr. Ha said./.
