Strategic partnership between Vietnam, UK in English language assessment and training

Wednesday, 05/07/2017 21:14
(CPV) - The University of Foreign Language Studies under the University of Da Nang, and the British Council in Vietnam on July 5th signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on evaluation, assessment development, and English proficiency improvement.

Accordingly, the two parties are providing solutions to English examination and English learning resources to prepare students for international tests such as Aptis and IELTS.

Foreign languages, especially English, open up many opportunities to develop career paths, to study abroad, and to connect with the world. Particularly, an effective testing and assessment system is key for precisely evaluating foreign language communication skills in addition to being an essential part in teaching and learning English.


Courtesy photo: British Council in Vietnam
In 2017-2018, students from the University of Foreign Language Studies and the nearby localities can easily access international standardized tests of the British Council. Particularly, IELTS and Aptis are performance-based tests, so teachers are encouraged to instruct students to use English in daily life instead of merely preparing for the test.

One key initiatives of this strategic partnership is to hold a series of practical workshops on classroom-based assessment for teachers in the fourth quarter of 2017. The focus of these practical workshops was announced at Vietnam Language Assessment Symposium 2017 (VLAS), which was organised by the British Council and Vietnam's National Foreign Language 2020 project in this May in Ho Chi Minh city. With the emphasis on classroom-based assessment and the assessment of learning, VLAS gathered over 200 educators, English language assessment experts and teachers from 22 provinces/cities across the country and 20 Departments of Education and Training.

Dr Tran Huu Phuc, Rector of the University of Foreign Language Studies, spoke: “The University of Foreign Language Studies was chosen as one of the five regional foreign language centres by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) - Management Board of National Foreign Language 2020 Project to train, examine foreign language proficiency; foster teachers' professional development; and apply information technology in teaching and learning foreign languages in the national education system. Our university is now assigned by the MoET to improve English teachers’ English proficiency and foster their professional development in Central Highlands and Central Coastal region”.

This strategic agreement opens up opportunities for students to learn and experience internationally standardized English tests, access to learning resources and the potential to study abroad. Moreover, the two parties will launch professional training for testing, evaluating foreign languages and building the capabilities for English teachers from University of Foreign Language Studies and the central region.

According to Ms Cherry Gough, Director of British Council in Vietnam, it’s essential to the future prosperity of Vietnam that young people are able to learn English effectively and efficiently. 

This MoU also confirms the UK’s support for MoTE’s aims to improve learning and teaching of English in Vietnam, as well as its direct support to teachers and learners of English through the British Council./.

 

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