In 2008, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved a project promoting the teaching and learning of foreign languages within the national education system for the period of 2008-2020, referred to as ‘National project 2020’. One of the objectives of the scheme is to develop language learning communities across the country, especially in mountainous areas.
There is a community-based language class in Moc Chau District, Son La Province, one of the localities included in ‘National project 2020’. This special class starts at 7:45 pm in the evening. Some participants are just 8 years of age, while others are as old as 26. Children learn how to greet and introduce themselves in English, while travel staff, tour operators, and local youth learn English for tourism purposes.
The 23 volunteer teachers in the classrooms are students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Tay Bac University. They were selected on merit-based and social skills criteria. Earlier, the faculty assigned the teachers to compile teaching materials, develop a curriculum, and provide training for these volunteer students.
"At first, the children were shy about learning English. Now they have become more confident. We’ve divided them into small groups to play games and communicate with one other", said Vu Thi Hien, a student of Tay Bac University, Son La Province. Other districts, such as Quynh Nhai, Muong La, and Son La city are also included in the teaching program initiated by Tay Bac University.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Bao, the Rector of Tay Bac University, this is a meaningful program. It not only benefits the students, who learn a lot and gain more knowledge after the courses, but it alo boosts the English-learning community in local areas, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality.
Over 40 million USD from the State Budget together with international support has been disbursed for ‘National Project 2020’. It is hoped that by the year 2020, the majority of young people in Vietnam will have developed stronger language skills in their communication and jobs, serving the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country and international integration.
