HCM City to Set Primary School English Schedule

HCM City to set primary school English schedule.

Only on September 16 did primary schools receive word from the HCM City Education and Training Department requesting schools to prepare for universal English teaching program.

VnnNews – Only on September 16 did primary schools receive word from the HCM City Education and Training Department requesting schools to prepare for universal English teaching program. The department will not hold a meeting to discuss the plan until September 23.

Nguyen Ngoc Long, Headmaster of Hoa Binh Primary School, noted that the school has some basic equipment for English teaching, but lacks others like computers, TVs and cassettes or CDs. Long stressed that, besides qualified teaching staff, material facilities would play a very important role in the English teaching program.

According to Long, the biggest difficulty at his school is overcrowding. There are now 40 students in every class, while under current regulations state a class must not have more than 35. Too many students will lead to ineffective teaching.

According to Nguoi Lao Dong, most primary schools in the trial English program are facing difficulties. Some schools even say they don’t know how to begin.

Nguyen Thi Luong Thanh, Headmaster of Phan Dinh Phung Primary School, reported that his teachers attended an English teaching course organised by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET). Still, English classes have yet to begin even though the new school year kicked off one month ago. Thanh pointed out that, since the document from the city’s education department has just arrived, only now can teachers begin drawing up plans for the program.

Nguyen Thi Huynh Thoa, Headmaster of Duoc Song Primary School, confirmed that the school’s material facilities and teaching staff have been ready. Now difficulties lie in deciding on teaching methods and organizational options.

The English program for primary school students clearly stipulates its standards and goals. MOET has developed a syllabus and released a guide for the program’s implementation.

MOET also encourages teachers to use other textbooks, if they believe they can bring more efficiency and effectiveness to their teaching.

The goal of the program is to have students reach the equivalent of the A1 level of European language standards when they finish primary school.

Some question if such a teaching program and required English standards will put pressure on students. Nguyen Thuy Phuong Truc, an English teacher at Nguyen Thuong Hien Primary School, responded “No.”

HCM City Education and Training Department on September 23 will chair a meeting of leaders from districts’ education sub-departments, English experts and headmasters of primary schools to discuss the program.

The city education department has requested that schools inform parents about the trial program. They also released the names of three textbooks that are slated to be used, namely Let’s Learn in English, Let’s Go, and Family Friends.

Read more at http://www.vnnnews.net/hcm-city-to-set-primary-school-english-schedule

http://www.languagecorpsasia.com