The semi-finals and finals of the English debate competition for students aged 9-14 "THedu English Rising Stars Contest" took place this afternoon, February 22, in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, attracting a large audience with many current topics such as Circular 29 regulating extra teaching and learning, food safety at school gates, and students using social networks.

9 students with the best listening, speaking and debating skills were selected to enter the semi-finals, competing this afternoon. The judges have scored and found the 4 best contestants to enter the final round of debate, all of whom are elementary school students.

4 students were divided into 2 pairs with 2 topics from the judges - Are students currently spending too much time on social networks such as TikTok, Facebook? and Circular 29 of the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that it is not allowed to organize extra classes for primary school students, except for life skills activities, arts training, physical education and sports..., what is your opinion? The pairs demonstrated their English debating skills. After listening to their partner's answers, the other person will ask questions to hear the other's opinion.

The judges were surprised by the ability to think and debate in English of the contestants. Regarding the topic of current social media use by students, Nguyen Nguyen Khang (grade 5, Hanh Thong Primary School, Go Vap District) said that social media such as Facebook and TikTok are tools for students to search for information in studying, entertainment, and connecting with friends and family members. Pham Tran Y Nhi (grade 4, Kim Dong Primary School, Go Vap District) said that despite these benefits, abusing social media can have negative effects on health.

What do primary school students argue about the regulation of no extra teaching and learning?

The debate of the pair about Circular 29 on extra teaching and learning, which does not allow extra classes for primary school students, between Hoang Ngoc Dong Phuong, grade 5, in Go Vap district and Dang Minh Hoa, also grade 5, at an elementary school in Go Vap district, impressed the audience.

Hoang Ngoc Dong Phuong supports Circular 29 and believes that extra classes outside primary school students, teachers can teach lessons in advance and lead to unfair scores for all students.

Meanwhile, Dang Minh Hoa said that extra classes in elementary school are unnecessary and not possible because these classes put economic pressure on families and waste parents' time taking them to and from school.

Responding further to reporters, Dang Minh Hoa said: "I think we can study on the internet, on Google too, it can be a channel to answer questions if we don't understand. Extra classes can add economic burden to parents, why can we have a way to self-study but have to spend money on extra classes outside? Currently, we have many channels and tools to study for free from math, Vietnamese, English... I also think that teachers must change their teaching methods, to be able to convey all knowledge to all students in class, so that students do not need to go to extra classes".

In the end, 5th grader Dang Minh Hoa was the champion of the English debate competition. Third prize went to Pham Tran Y Nhi and Hoang Ngoc Dong Phuong. Student Nguyen Nguyen Khang won second prize.

The English debate contest "THedu English Rising Stars Contest" organized by THedu attracted more than 100 students from 9 to 14 years old at primary and secondary schools in Go Vap district and district 12, starting the qualifying round 3 months ago.