The Ministry of Education and Training has just released a draft document to the Government and a draft Decree regulating teaching and learning in foreign languages ​​in educational institutions.

Attracting foreign students to study in Vietnam

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, this draft decree, chaired by the Ministry of Education and Training in coordination with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, will overcome the limitations and promote the advantages of Decision No. 72/2014 and related documents, resolve issues arising in practice, in accordance with current legal regulations and international commitments and treaties that Vietnam has signed or is a member of.

The purpose of issuing this decree is to promote teaching and learning in foreign languages ​​in educational institutions to improve foreign language proficiency for learners and teachers, contributing to promoting the international integration process in education and training.

Besides, it helps educational institutions attract foreign students to study in Vietnam, improve the compilation of textbooks and learning materials in foreign languages...

The Decree applies to general education, continuing education, vocational education and university education institutions; it does not apply to foreign-invested educational institutions in general education, vocational education and university education.

Accordingly, for general education, schools can teach and learn some subjects, educational activities or some content of some subjects, educational activities in foreign languages; priority is given to subjects in the fields of mathematics, natural sciences, technology and information technology.

For university education and vocational education, programs approved by competent authorities may be taught partly or entirely in a foreign language.

Programs and materials used for teaching and learning in foreign languages ​​must not contain content that is detrimental to national defense, security, or public interests; must not propagate religion or distort history; must not negatively affect Vietnamese culture, ethics, and customs; and must ensure conditions for interconnectivity between training levels.

Foreign language proficiency requirements for teachers

Teachers teaching subjects in a foreign language at secondary school level must have a minimum foreign language proficiency level 4, and at high school level must have a minimum level 5 according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam or equivalent.

Lecturers at universities and vocational education institutions must have foreign language proficiency not lower than level 5 according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam or equivalent.

Those who have received full-time university, master's and doctoral training abroad are exempted from foreign language proficiency requirements if that foreign language is the language of instruction at the university, master's and doctoral levels.

Learners participate in foreign language teaching and learning programs voluntarily and have the ability to study the taught subjects and the foreign language. The entrance examination for learners is conducted by the educational institution and is described in the project for organizing teaching and learning in foreign languages.

For general education, end-of-year and end-of-grade tests and examinations for subjects taught in a foreign language can be conducted in Vietnamese or a foreign language.

For university education and vocational education, testing, examination, assessment, graduation recognition, and awarding of degrees and certificates for all subjects taught and studied in foreign languages ​​shall comply with the provisions of Vietnamese law.