Khanh Hoa Department of Education & Training has just held a ceremony to summarize the foreign language approach program piloted at nursery schools in Khanh Hoa Province...
Khanh Hoa Department of Education & Training has just held a ceremony to summarize the foreign language approach program piloted at nursery schools in Khanh Hoa Province.
Since March 2016, 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. Most of parents have voluntarily registered for their kids’ engagement The schools have also been provided support from Dai Truong Phat Joint Stock Company in terms of standard teaching staff.
Khanh Hoa Education & Training Department has provided training on the teaching material Happy Hearts and teaching methods. Classroom observation has helped teachers to learn and experience experience in classroom organization and teaching. Some parents have been invited to join English classes at some schools.
After the pilot program, young learners have become interested in such activities as singing, dancing, playing games and telling stories in English. They can correctly pronounce some simple words, understand and follow instructions in English. The foreign language approach for young kids aims to provide opportunities for kids to get access to a new language naturally and in a fun way and thus build a solid base for them to continue at higher education levels. Besides advantages, there remain some obstacles such as insufficient teaching facilities, inexperienced staff and big class size.
In the 2016-2017 school year, the program is expected to expand to 22 additional nursery schools in 5 districts and towns, excluding the 2 mountainous districts of Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh. The schools have voluntarily joined the program and assured sufficient infrastructures, facilities meeting the requirement for foreign language approach. The program has received parents’ approval.
English teachers at nursery schools have pedagogical 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 pedagogical diplomas.
Khanh Hoa Department of Education & Training plans to cooperate with foreign language centers to choose teachers for nursery schools and organize professional development courses. In addition, the department will direct all schools piloting the program to improve infrastructures, teaching facilities and toys for English classes, build curriculum framework and specific lesson plans; hold class observation for teachers to exchange and learn experience.
In the end of the school year, the department plans to hold an exchange program among schools under the foreign language approach and a ceremony to review 1 year of the pilot program, according to Hoang Thi Ly, Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Education & Training Department.
K.D
Translated by N.T
