The Ministry of Education and Training launches a programme to increase the use of foreign languages, especially English on Monday. — VNS Photo Ngọc Trinh

HCM CITY — The Ministry of Education and Training on October 14 launched a programme to develop an environment for teachers and students to take the initiative in the use of foreign languages, especially English, at school.

At the launching ceremony, Bùi Văn Linh, a ministry official, said the programme aims to expand the teaching of foreign languages, especially English, and improve the quality.

Under the programme, more English clubs and extra activities will be organised to help students take part in Olympic contests, be confident about communicating in English and watch news.

“The Government and the ministry have paid much attention to teaching and learning English. School teachers have taken efforts to seek creative methodologies for teaching English in practice and create a practical environment.”

But the quality of teaching is not the same across the country, he said.

The programme is important for improving the quality of human resources to integrate globally, and English would provide Vietnamese the chance to co-operate internationally, he added. 

Bùi Thị Diễm Thu, deputy director of the city Department of Education and Training, instructed schools to focus on implementing the programme and identify detailed objectives for students to achieve.

“Learning foreign languages, especially English, is very important and vital in the digital age.”

Knowing foreign languages gives students an advantage in accessing international knowledge, she said.

English is taught to first graders in the city, earlier than elsewhere in the country. Nearly 95 per cent of first grade children learn English. — VNS