Motivating and familiarizing young kids with the English language

The English language approach contest for young kids at nursery schools in Khanh Hoa Province, school year 2023 – 2024 paved the way for children to get access to an English language environment as well as provide an opportunity for teaching and managing staff to share experience and foster a genuine partnership between home and school learning.

Much excitement and fun

In their introduction, kids confidently played acting, taking the roles of flight attendants, passengers and tour guides at Cam Ranh Airport; or lovely chicks hatching from sparkling eggs in a peaceful countryside on an early morning. Many communicated fluently and confidently with good pronunciation. Most teams were well-prepared in unique costumes with creative performances.

Nha Trang 2 team's performance.

The Golden Ring Round filled the environment with much fun and excitement as the kids were active, interactive and motivated to answer questions. In a matching game in the Relay, members of the teams showed their confidence and good teamwork. Describing the pictures, kids showed their imagination interpreted to link with stories about their parents and people around them or items in their daily lives.

The 10 best children from 10 teams were selected to advance to the Children's Talent Round. Some showed their confidence, good pronunciation and fluency in themed public speaking and answering to the judges' questions.

Mai Thi Thu Hang, Principal of 2-4 Kindergarten (Cam Ranh City) said, "The contest provides an opportunity for children to be familiar with English language. Such activities are very practical and should be maintained and expanded.”

Keeping going and improving

Khanh Hoa is one of the first provinces to implement the English language approach program since 2015 - 2016 academic year. Khanh Hoa is also one of the first provinces to organize the contest for nursery schools after 4 years implementing the Circular No. 50/2020 by the Ministry of Education and Training promulgating the English language familiarization program for kindergarten children.

According to Pham Thi Chau Anh, Deputy Head of Nha Trang City Education and Training Department, the implementation of the program in the city has proved effective. The City Department of Education and Training will have directions to improve the management and operation of the activities.

The contest results demonstrated the great efforts of districts and towns in directing schools to get parents involved in giving their children chances to get familiar with English language as well as raising education administrators and teachers’ responsibility for ensuring equal access to an English learning opportunity for all kids.

According to Ha Van Thong, Chief of the Primary Education Division, Khanh Hoa Department of Education & Training, it is essential to get 100% of kids at nursery schools engaged in the program, paving the way for children to learn English when they enter primary school, contributing to the adaptation to the global integration and socio-economic development, especially in Khanh Hoa, one of the country’s most powerful tourism destinations.

The contest was organized by the Department of Education and Training on March 26 and 27 with the participation of 70 kids in 10 teams from 45 public and non-public preschools in 6 districts and towns in the province. The Organizing Board awarded first team prizes in the Introduction, Golden Bell Ringing, and Relay events to the teams of Cam Ranh 2, Nha Trang 2, Nha Trang 1; and the second, third and consolation prizes; individual prizes to 11 children in the Golden Bell Ringing (2 first prizes, 2 second prizes, 7 third prizes) and 10 children in the Children's Talent Event (1 first prize, 3 second prizes, 3 third prizes, 3 consolation prizes).

H.N

Translated by N.T