New learning method helps Vietnamese Gen Z tackle IELTS challenges

Yet, the path to mastering the test, especially its lengthy, academic reading passages, remains a major hurdle, particularly for 12th-grade students fresh from the 2025 national high school graduation exam.

To address this challenge, educators from DOL English unveiled a novel approach during a July admissions counseling session broadcast on Vietnam's VTV2 channel.

As a guest of the discussion from DOL English, Tran Thien Minh, a two-time perfect IELTS scorer of 9.0, introduced a strategy called Linearthinking.

Developed by alumni of the High School for the Gifted under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, Linearthinking offers a systematic, logic-based method for learning English.

Rather than relying heavily on rote memorization or vocabulary drills, the technique trains students to simplify and organize complex information, skills especially useful for dissecting the dense texts typical of the IELTS.

"Take the long passages in IELTS or the recent English test in the national high school graduation exam, for example," Minh explained.

"Linearthinking provides tools like Simplify to distill complicated content into its core meaning, allowing students to link ideas and better understand the overall message."

The method draws on mathematical reasoning, memory techniques, and insights into how Vietnamese learners are influenced by their native language.

Since its development in 2008, Linearthinking has reportedly helped over 1,000 students achieve IELTS scores between 7.0 and 8.5, and enabled three DOL English instructors to reach a perfect 9.0.

Beyond reading comprehension, Linearthinking equips learners with the ability to analyze questions, identify relationships between ideas, and build coherent arguments – skills that are especially valuable in the Speaking and Writing sections of the IELTS exam.

The method also proves effective for students grappling with logic-heavy subjects such as the English and math tests in the 2025 national high school graduation exam.

A notable feature of the method is its adaptability to various age groups and proficiency levels.

For elementary and middle school students, it focuses on foundational skills like pronunciation using the IPA chart, reading comprehension, and writing.

For more advanced learners, the emphasis shifts to reflexive thinking and analytical skills aimed at achieving high IELTS scores.

Educators say starting IELTS preparation early yields significant advantages.

"High schools in New Zealand, for instance, don't always require a specific English proficiency score," said Banh Pham Ngoc Van, Vietnam country manager at Education New Zealand under the New Zealand Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

"But having an IELTS certificate greatly helps students adapt to international academic environments."

Nguyen Thao Chi, head of communications and events at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, added that most Vietnamese universities require English proficiency equivalent to B1, B2, or higher, especially for international joint programs, which often set a minimum IELTS score of 5.5.

Early preparation, she said, can lay the foundation for meeting these expectations.

Indeed, top performers in the English test of this year's national high school graduation exam often shared one thing in common: prior experience with IELTS or similar test formats.

As more students turn to English as a bridge to the world, Linearthinking may offer a clearer path through the complexity, one logical step at a time.