Ho Chi Minh City to pilot enhanced English program for preschool children

The plan, issued under Circular No. 50 and covering the 2025-28 period, seeks to develop a more comprehensive English exposure curriculum for preschool students.

The initiative focuses on improving teaching quality and gradually enabling children at eligible schools to move from basic exposure to simple English communication, forming a foundation for international integration and long-term goals of making English a second language in schools.

According to the department, the pilot program will incorporate technology-based approaches, integrated learning materials, and activities linked to early math and environmental awareness.

Teaching resources will also be aligned with parental expectations and school readiness.

The program will first be rolled out at selected national-standard preschools, high-quality or advanced educational institutions, and kindergartens located near elementary schools already applying integrated curricula.

Under the rollout timeline, qualified schools will be selected for the pilot during the 2025-26 academic year, before the model is expanded citywide in the 2026-27 school year.

Luong Thi Hong Diep, head of the department’s preschool education division, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that children have previously been exposed to introductory English sessions, but the new plan aims to deepen and structure the program.

“Instead of having English only on Mondays and Wednesdays, schools will make the best of technology to introduce English throughout the week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays as well,” she said.

Digital tools will also help preschools in remote or outlying areas, where foreign teachers cannot be present, by enabling content delivery through technology, she added.