'Vietnam should train teachers in 5 years'

That was the opinion of experts in the field of teacher training at a recent conference. Why?

Student Nguyen Hoang Phuong Thao (Physics Pedagogy major, Saigon University) practices teaching Physics to students of class 10A8, Tran Khai Nguyen High School, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhu Hung

According to experts, there are currently two models of teacher training: parallel and continuous. Parallel is training in scientific knowledge and pedagogical skills at the same time. Continuous is requiring teacher candidates to complete a science training program before participating in a pedagogical training program.

Vietnam is training teachers in parallel. Countries with developed education systems such as the US, France, Japan... train teachers in a sequential model.

5 years, 2 phases

According to experts, teacher training in Vietnam focuses too much on professional knowledge. There is very little knowledge of professional skills and general education. Meanwhile, the lack of common standards for scientific and professional knowledge is the reason why teachers after graduation do not meet practical requirements.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha - Ha Tinh University - said that in the current teacher training program, the time spent on professional skills training is very modest. The pedagogical part for the major is only 8-15 credits, accounting for about 6-15% of the total credits that must be accumulated.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Hong - former principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, although the teacher training program in Vietnam has changed a lot in recent years, it still does not meet the requirements of educational development. Vocational training time is low compared to countries with developed education.

Mr. Hong proposed that it is necessary to consider changing the method and time of teacher training in Vietnam, following the trend of teacher training in developed countries.

"It is necessary to increase the training time to 5 years, divided into two phases. Phase 1 trains bachelors of science in three years. Phase 2 trains masters of education in faculties and teacher training centers of universities.

The new national education framework stipulates that undergraduate training takes 3-5 years and master's training takes 1-2 years. This is an opportunity for the education sector if it wants graduates to meet the requirements of educational reform," Mr. Hong emphasized.

4 years is too short

Sharing this view, Dr. Vu Thi Thu Hoai - University of Education (VNU Hanoi) - said that in countries with advanced education, teachers are selected from university and master's graduates with good results and must pass rigorous exams.

In Vietnam, the selection of teachers is not high quality, the regulations are not strict. The training period of four years is too short, while students have to learn both educational science knowledge, practical knowledge, and pedagogical practice. That is not to mention the old training model, the training program is heavy on theory, lacking in practice.

"Increasing teacher training time to 5 years is appropriate, divided into two training phases. The first six semesters are basic science training. Then students can register for teacher training programs. If admitted, they will study four semesters of educational science subjects and practice teaching. Upon graduation, they will be awarded a bachelor's degree in pedagogy.

"Students who fail to pass the entrance exam can continue studying for two more semesters to obtain a bachelor of science degree. In addition, it is necessary to transform teacher training colleges into multidisciplinary colleges. This includes teacher training and the development of unified teacher standards," Ms. Hoai suggested.

Dr. Pham Thi Lan Phuong - Institute of Educational Research, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education - said that the current organization of independent teacher training schools is different from the current trend in the US, Japan, France... Therefore, the quality of teacher training students has not met the expectations of high schools.

"Our organization is different, but we can learn from other countries in setting standards for teacher competency. The government can organize standardized exams to grant teaching certificates, avoiding negative phenomena in teacher recruitment..." - Ms. Phuong suggested.

Teacher training according to the 3+1 model

The University of Education (VNU) is the first teacher training university to apply this model. During the period 2006-2012, the university's students were managed by the University of Natural Sciences and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU) to train basic scientific knowledge in the first three years.

In the final year, students transfer to the University of Education to study specialized knowledge, educational science, pedagogical science, practice, and internship. From 2012 to present, there have been some minor changes in training management, but the training program and content are still implemented according to the 3+1 model.

According to TTO