Teachers and students of Nha Trang University and high schools in Khanh Hoa Province have joined effort in the English Talk Community Development Project in Khanh Hoa to promote the access to English language learning in the community, especially unfortunate children...
Teachers and students of Nha Trang University and high schools in Khanh Hoa Province have joined effort in the English Talk Community Development Project in Khanh Hoa to promote the access to English language learning in the community, especially unfortunate children.
Supporting the unfortunate with limited access to English language learning
Nguyen Y Anh, a 7th grader, Lam Son Junior High School, Nha Trang City, used to feel a shame at having low English scores at school and her English speaking skill was not good. After attending the class held by the volunteers, she has made much progress and become more confident with her English.
“I am very happy when the volunteers open the class, helping the kids to improve their English skills and gain much confidence thanks to a joyful English communication environment,” said Nguyen Thi Kim Lien, Manager of Thien Tam Orphanage.
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Nguyen Thi Ly, a lecturer of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Nha Trang University said the free English teaching started in the orphanage in October 2021. However, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the class was held online and in-person teaching has resumed from February 2022.
Classes are held at weekend with 2 teachers in each class, a head teacher and a volunteer assistant. In spite of insufficient facilities, the teachers are so enthusiastic. The lessons are well-prepared with visual aids. Leaners are encouraged to use English only in class. They learn English from direct conversations with teachers, having fun, singing songs and playing games.
Expanding in the community
According to Vo Nguyen Hong Lam, Dean of Faculty of Foreign Languages, Nha Trang University, Director of the Project, the 3 main activities of the project are providing an online library for children; organizing the contest "English Olympiad for high school students"; and teaching English at orphanages and the Provincial Boarding Ethnic Minority School.
As many as 29 teachers, 100 students and 200 volunteers have been involved in the project. They are in charge of making lesson plans and teaching schedules; translating documents to send to foreign organizations; posting and updating news about the project on social media to seek for support funding from domestic and foreign sponsors and businesses; conducting a survey of disadvantaged families, and motivating needy children, especially those dropping out of school to take the free classes.
Since October 2021, students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Nha Trang University have joined the project, teaching English to some 200 learners of the Provincial Boarding Ethnic Minority School and private orphanages, namely Thien Tam in Phuoc Dong Commune, Phuoc Phuc in Phuong Sai Ward and Phuoc Tuong Pagoda, Phuoc Dong Commune in Nha Trang City.
Trinh Yen Vy, an 11th grader at iSchool Nha Trang, a volunteer of the project said, “During the first days of the class, I had to use Vietnamese a lot in the English class. Up to now, many kids have improved their English language and become more confident in communication in English with their friends and teachers. I have spent much time meeting and persuading orphaned and vulnerable kids to come to class.”
Implemented for 6 months, the English Talk Community Development Project in Khanh Hoa has gained some initial achievements. Specifically, Nha Trang University has cooperated with the Department of Education & Training to successfully organize the "English Olympiad for high school students" 2022. In the time to come, the project board of mangers and members need to have a specific roadmap with innovation in teaching and learning methods combined with play-based and hands-on learning activities to enhance leaners’ interest and keep them involved. Besides, meetings and exchange activities between learners and foreigners are required to create a natural English speaking environment to effectively improve learners’ English language skills, according to Le Dinh Thuan, Vice-Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Education & Training.
T.Truc
Translated by N.T
