Students during a study period at the Như Quỳnh Primary School in Như Quỳnh Commune, Hưng Yên Province. English may be compulsory from grade one. — VNA/VNS Photo Thế Duyệt

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has proposed allowing schools that select English as their compulsory first foreign language to teach it from Grade 1.

The ministry made the proposal in a draft circular amending the General Education Programme, which is currently open for comments from agencies, organisations and individuals through MoET’s portal.

Under the proposed amendments, which aim to help make English a second language in schools, the teaching and learning of foreign languages would be strengthened while ensuring equal treatment of other foreign languages within the school system.

The draft would allow schools to select English as Foreign Language 1, a compulsory subject at the primary level. If a school selects English, pupils will study it from Grades 1 to 5.

If a language other than English is selected as Foreign Language 1, pupils will study it from Grades 3 to 5.

Compulsory subjects and educational activities at the primary level include Vietnamese, mathematics, ethics, Foreign Language 1, nature and society, history and geography, science, informatics and technology, physical education, arts and experiential activities.

Ethnic minority languages are optional, while Foreign Language 1 is currently optional in Grades 1 and 2. Pupils who choose a language other than English may begin studying it in Grade 1 or 2.

According to MoET, this approach supports the goal of making English a second language in schools without affecting the teaching and learning of other foreign languages. It also makes clear that pupils would not be restricted to studying English alone.

The draft also amends and supplements the foreign language curriculum under the General Education Programme.

Under the proposed amendments, foreign language education aims to develop pupils’ ability to learn and communicate in another language while meeting the requirements of future workforce development and international integration.

Pupils will develop all four skills, listening, speaking, reading and writing, in an integrated manner. The curriculum is designed to support their progression from basic to career-oriented education, with reference to both Vietnamese and international foreign language proficiency frameworks.

Pupils are required to study one foreign language, referred to as Foreign Language 1. At primary level, they may also be introduced to an additional foreign language.

From Grade 6 onwards, pupils may choose an additional foreign language, referred to as Foreign Language 2, depending on their preferences and the school’s capacity to provide instruction.

Under the draft, educational institutions may select one or more languages, including English, to offer as Foreign Language 1, depending on their teaching capacity.

Foreign Language 2 is an optional subject that may be offered from Grade 6, with its duration determined by pupils’ needs and the capacity of the educational institution. VNS