Early-learning English demand increases

And this trend is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam’s urban areas.

Tran Thanh Toan’s is now searching for a class with foreign teacher in an English centre for his 7 year-old son. His son is learning English in grade 2, but he believes this is already late.

Tran Thanh Toan, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi said: “I’ve come here to find a class for my son as English is very important now. I think it’s rather late as he’s already in grade 2. I should have found one for him earlier”.

Đào Thúy Vân, whose child is only 5 years old, is also looking for an English class with a foreign teacher for her child.

Dao Huy Van, Hoang Mai Dist., Hanoi said: “Although my child is small, we still want them to learn English, which will helps gain exposure to a second language from an early age. This will help them learn better in the future”.

As the demand for children to learn English at an early age increases, many primary schools have worked with  English language centres to organise classes to help children learn with the participation of foreign teachers.

Do Ngoc Hue, Principal of Van Chuong Primary School, Hanoi said: “We’ve worked with many English centres to organise classes to help the children learn English with the participation of foreign teachers in addition to the curriculum set by the Ministry of Education and Training”.

Nguyen Dieu Linh, Student of Van Chuong Primary School said: “I like learning English with a foreign teacher and I find her teaching methods really interesting”.

Luu Quoc Chinh, National Institute of Education Management said: “Learning English at an early age helps children learn English naturally. It also helps improve their pronunciation. Children can learn words and vocabulary easily, which makes them more confident in their learning”.

While urban areas are quick to adopt English at earlier ages, the same can’t be said for the countryside. It is hoped that the recent agreement signed during US President Obama’s visit to allow the US Peace Corp volunteers to teach English in remote mountainous areas can go some way to addressing this shortfall.