On April 15, 2025, Dr. Do Tuan Minh – Chairman of the University Council of the University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS – VNU), together with Vice President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Le Kim Anh, held a meeting session with the School Management Board, heads of departments, and English teachers of FLSS to develop an ESL School model at FLSS. Attending the meeting was Ms. Nguyen Huyen Trang, Principal of ULIS Middle School (UMS).

At the opening of the meeting, Dr. Do Tuan Minh emphasized the urgency of implementing the ESL model at CNN in the context of strong reforms towards integration and internationalization. This initiative aligns with the orientation of Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW issued by the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam on November 4, 2013, and Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW issued by the Politburo on August 12, 2024. Following the ESL implementation at UMS, FLSS is the next school to undertake this strategic transformation. “We are not ahead of the times – we are moving in step with the current demands of development,” he affirmed.

Dr. Do Tuan Minh proposed several key directions for the model, namely offering standardized English language training for teachers of other subjects, encouraging pioneering teachers to integrate ESL into their lessons, developing an ESL library, and providing AI accounts for teachers.

Sharing practical experience from UMS, Principal Nguyen Huyen Trang highlighted the importance of setting clear objectives, effective communication, and fostering the habit of using English in all activities. She emphasized that while initial challenges related to language proficiency and mindset were expected, UMS achieved encouraging progress through the application of CLIL, integrated assessments, and the publication of an internal ESL newsletter.

Dr. Nguyen Phu Chien, Principal, Dr. Do Thi Ngoc Chi, Vice-Principal and heads of departments expressed strong consensus on the initiative and committed to developing action plans tailored to the specific nature of each subject. Ms. Thanh Ha, Head of the Social Sciences Department, shared her experience in integrating foreign language elements into Literature lessons, affirming the feasibility and potential of this direction.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Le Kim Anh outlined four priority measures for effective implementation: enhancing English proficiency for teachers of other subjects, offering a second bachelor’s degree in English language for those interested, building daily use of English through school radio broadcasts, and promoting student support.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Do Tuan Minh concluded that FLSS need to finalize the proposal and develop a detailed year-by-year action plan. Internal communication efforts, Resolutions of  the Party Cell, and professional development activities should be launched immediately. He also encouraged FLSS and UMS to cohost a national workshop to share experiences on implementing ESL School models in the near future.

By Hán Thu Phương, Trần Thanh Hương – English teachers at FLSS