Workshop Recap: Conceptualizing and Preparing Teachers for an ESL Curriculum in Vietnam – Lessons Learnt from Singapore

In the context of Vietnam’s recent policy direction, following the Prime Minister’s approval of English as a second language in the school system, there is an increasing need to reconsider ESL curriculum design and teacher preparation. In response to this development, the Faculty of Foreign Languages (FFL) organized a workshop entitled “Conceptualizing and Preparing Teachers for an ESL Curriculum in Vietnam: Lesson Learnt from Singapore” on 24 January at room F1-608, attracting approximately 60 lectures and students from FFL. 

The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Ngô Thị Bích Thu, senior lecturer in Language and Literacy Education and Program Director of the Bachelor of Education at the University of New South Wales (Australia). Drawing on lessons from Singapore’s ESL curriculum, Dr. Thu discussed pedagogical orientations that could be adapted to the Vietnamese context through an interactive workshop format. 

The workshop reflects FFL’s ongoing efforts to align national language education policies with international perspectives and professional development opportunities for both lecturers and students.  

Overall, the workshop offered timely and practical insights into ESL curriculum development and teacher preparation, while helping FFL students better understand the knowledge and competencies required to respond to upcoming changes in English language education in Vietnam.