On September 13, 2025, the University of Languages and International Studies – Vietnam National University, Hanoi organized an international conference themed “Teaching and Learning German in Vietnam: Opportunities and Challenges” in both on-site and online formats. The event was held within the framework of the national conference “Research and Teaching of Foreign Languages, Linguistics and International Studies in Vietnam” (UNiC 2025).

The conference aimed to promote academic exchange, share research and teaching experiences among lecturers, teachers, and scholars from institutions engaged in German language and culture training and research both in Vietnam and abroad. It also provided an opportunity for scholars and researchers to present pioneering studies, practical applications, and forecasts on trends in German language and culture teaching and research.

 

Representing ULIS, participants included Vice President Hoa Ngoc Son; Head of the Faculty of German Language and Culture, Le Thi Bich Thuy; leaders of various units, as well as teachers, students, graduate students, and doctoral candidates.

Among the distinguished guests were Professor Karen Schramm from the University of Wien (Austria); Head of the German Department, Hanoi University, Dang Thi Thu Hien; Head of the Faculty of German Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities – VNU Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Thi Bich Phuong, along with numerous researchers, presenters, and delegates from within and outside Vietnam.

In his opening remarks, Vice President Hoa Ngoc Son emphasized that the conference not only held special significance as part of the activities celebrating the 70th anniversary of ULIS, but also provided a valuable opportunity for experts and educators involved in German language training to gather, share experiences, and engage in academic exchange. He also noted that the event served as a testament to the dedication and efforts of the Faculty of German Language and Culture in contributing to sustainable foreign language education development and strengthening connections among German language teaching institutions in Vietnam and abroad.

As part of the program, Head of the Faculty of German Language and Culture Le Thi Bich Thuy acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of the Organizing Committee in bringing together a wide network of scholars and experts from Germany. She underlined the importance of the event in promoting academic exchange, fostering cooperation, sharing experiences, and enhancing the quality of research and training in German language and culture.

In the plenary session, Professor Karen Schramm from the University of Wien (Austria) presented a report titled: “Extensive Reading – A Promising Approach for Teaching German as a Foreign Language in Vietnam?” She stressed that extensive reading programs have become a promising approach for developing reading comprehension and language acquisition. Based on research and practice, her presentation outlined the principles of extensive reading, reviewed experimental studies, and analyzed the crucial role of teachers in implementing such programs effectively, with specific illustrations from teaching practice.

The plenary session was followed by a lively discussion, focusing on issues raised in the report and throughout the conference. Experts and doctoral candidates provided insightful analyses, helping clarify key ideas and directions for effectively implementing extensive reading programs while strengthening their connection to practice and classroom teaching.

After the plenary, the conference continued with four parallel panels featuring presentations on various topics, including: “Teaching German in the Age of Industry 4.0,” “German Linguistics in the Contemporary Context,” “Testing and Assessing German Proficiency in Vietnam,” “German Translation and Interpretation and Its Role in Global Communication,” “German Textbooks Authored by Vietnamese Scholars,” and “Germany–Vietnam Relations as a Topic in the Curriculum.”

The presentations on German language teaching opened up multiple perspectives, reflecting both opportunities and challenges in the context of globalization. They also proposed solutions that require comprehensive investment and long-term strategies to ensure sustainable training quality, integrating digital platforms, enhancing learning experiences, and broadening access for international relations research and a wider range of learners.

The conference concluded with positive feedback, contributing to the dissemination of valuable knowledge and experiences among lecturers, researchers, and students, while enhancing the effectiveness of German language teaching and research in Vietnam.

Uyên – ĐSTT