The foreign language approach program piloted at some nursery schools...
The foreign language approach program piloted at some nursery schools in Khanh Hoa Province has inspired young kids with enthusiasm and thus received much support and advocacy from parents.
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| An English class at 3-2 Nursery School. |
An English class at 3-2 Nursery School, Nha Trang City is interesting with games, group discussion, singing and dancing. Children are naturally inspired to learn and practice English through photos, pictures and videos about daily life and familiar environment around them.
“The class is very interesting and enjoyable, facilitating children’s approach to foreign language learning. My child, Le Huynh Truc Minh, has known some basic English words about vegetables, colors and greeting phrases. The most important thing is that the child is happy, confident and eager to learn a new language,” says a parent named Huynh Thi Nga.
Most parents approve young kids’ approach to foreign language. Therefore, 6 classes with 120 aged 4 or 5, over 70%, have had English classes since the second semester of 2015-2016 school year. The school has signed a contract with 2 teachers from Dai Truong Phat Joint Stock Company to teach English 2 periods a week, covering familiar subjects and topics, according to Cao Thi Thanh Ha, Principal of 3-2 Nursery School.
The foreign language approach program has been piloted at 12 nursery schools, including 3-2, Ly Tu Trong, Huong Sen, 8-3, Hong Chiem, Son Ca, Huong Duong (Nha Trang City, Hoa Phuong (Dien Khanh District, Huong Duong (Cam Lam District, Huong Duong (Ninh Hoa Town), Binh Minh (Van Ninh District) and Hoa Mai (Cam Ranh City). The schools have voluntarily joined the program and assured sufficient facilities and infrastructures.
English teachers at nursery schools are required to have bachelors’ degrees or higher with foreign language proficiency at level 4 or higher, according to the 6-level Framework of Reference for Languages used in Vietnam or equivalent qualifications and nursery pedological diplomas. The teaching material Happy Hearts by Dai Truong Phat is used for 4-5-year-olds. The book aims to develop listening and speaking skills through music, pictures, stories, poems and movement activities. To prepare for the program, Khanh Hoa Department of Education & Training has held study tours to Da Nang City and many professional development sessions for teachers. Parents voluntarily registering for their children’s approach to a foreign language at 7 schools in Nha Trang City have accounted for 60-70%.
“Through class observation, we find that teachers have suitable teaching and classroom organization methods to create interaction between learners and teachers. Children are eager and excited to learn English. I think, the language approach is helpful and required for continuity until their early years of primary education, according to Pham Thi Chau Anh, Deputy Chief of Nha Trang City Division of Education & Training.
A survey of the foreign language approach has just been conducted at 12 nursery schools mentioned above. Basically, the teachers have been reported to be qualified with effective activity organizational methods. A workshop on the language approach is scheduled to take place this April to review and draw experience after 1-month pilot operation. Accordingly, there will be some English classes for teachers to observe; and then exchange and learn experience and ideas in classroom organization and teaching, says Tran Thi Lay, Chief of Nursery Education Office, Khanh Hoa Department of Education & Training (Khanh Hoa Department of Education & Training).
The pilot program on foreign language approach for young kids is encouraged by the Ministry of Education & Training in the document 1303 dated March 18, 2014 in order to provide opportunities for kids to get access to a new language and thus build a solid base for them to continue at higher education levels. The pilot program seeks to make learning English an enjoyable experience, helping children have fun, relax and learn English naturally through games, songs, pictures, etc, according to Hoang Thi Ly, Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Education & Training Department.
H. Ngan
Translated by N.T
