Ho Chi Minh City English language education strategy

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has proposed new draft regulations to establish criteria for high-quality, modern, and partnership-based school models. The proposal includes specific requirements for teacher qualifications, such as English proficiency and postgraduate degrees, as well as student performance standards and class size limits.

Following the proposal, a survey of 15,554 preschool teachers revealed a significant gap in meeting these types of standards. Only 3.11 percent of surveyed preschool teachers have achieved a B2 English proficiency level or higher, while approximately 65.13 percent fall into other categories. Officials noted that a lack of communication confidence is a major barrier, leading to a reliance on private language centers to fill gaps in public institutions.

In response, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has approved a strategic plan to establish English as a second language in schools, spanning from 2026 to 2035 with a long-term vision through 2045. The initiative aims to create an English-speaking ecosystem by integrating the language into teaching, communication, and professional management.

The implementation will occur in three stages. The first stage, from 2026 to 2030, focuses on foundational work, including staff proficiency surveys, curriculum reviews, and pilot programs in the 2026-2027 academic year. By the 2027-2028 school year, the city aims for 20 percent to 30 percent of management and teaching staff to undergo English training. By 2035, the city targets 100 percent of managers and teachers meeting competency standards and 100 percent of institutions completing training for teaching subjects in English.