TESOL HCMC leader looks to expand English teaching as city grows, policy shifts

That view comes from Dr. Do Huu Nguyen Loc, newly elected president of the Ho Chi Minh City TESOL Association (TESOL HCMC) for the 2025–30 term.

His remarks come as the association marks its 20th anniversary in December, amid sweeping changes in education policy and the city's administrative expansion.

Ho Chi Minh City merged with neighboring Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau Provinces in July, while the central government has issued Resolution 51/NQ-CP outlining a roadmap to make English a second language in schools nationwide.

Teachers stretched thin

Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training has set a goal of training more than 200,000 teachers to teach subjects in English by 2030.

According to Dr. Loc, the main obstacle is not teachers' individual competence.

"The biggest barrier lies in implementation conditions," he said, citing heavy teaching and administrative workloads that leave many teachers with little time or resources to improve their English.

Differences in age, experience, and professional background also make one-size-fits-all training programs ineffective.

As a transitional solution, Loc said schools could adopt team-teaching models in which subject teachers work alongside English teachers.

In the longer term, Vietnam needs educators trained to integrate language and content, particularly through STEAM-based approaches that have shown promise at the elementary level.

Rethinking the classroom

Dr. Loc also supports selective use of the 'flipped classroom' model in English instruction, especially for reading, listening, vocabulary, and grammar.

In this approach, students study core material at home through videos or structured exercises, freeing classroom time for speaking and writing practice.

However, he cautioned against abrupt implementation, noting that flipped learning requires strong self-study skills and careful guidance to ensure students are not left behind.

"When applied with a clear roadmap, it not only improves language learning but also builds independence and initiative," he said of qualities he described as essential in a technology-driven labor market.

A wider role for TESOL HCMC

Founded in 2005 with approval from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, TESOL HCMC has grown into a professional home for English teachers in the city.

Dr. Loc, who has been involved with the association for 11 years, said the group has weathered financial and organizational challenges common to nonprofit education organizations.

In its new term, the association plans to expand activities into Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau, regions that lack dedicated English-teaching associations but have rising demand for English-proficient workers in manufacturing, tourism, and services.

The group also aims to play a more active role in implementing Resolution 51, shifting from a purely professional association toward helping create an English-as-a-second-language environment in schools.

TESOL HCMC has also recently become an associate member of TESOL International Association, a move that Dr. Loc said would give Vietnamese teachers greater access to global academic resources and international professional standards.

Teaching content in English

At universities, Vietnam's rapid expansion of English-medium instruction in fields such as business, marketing, and law has exposed a shortage of qualified lecturers, Dr. Loc said.

Many faculty members are strong in subject knowledge but lack confidence teaching in English, while others have strong English skills but limited pedagogical training or subject expertise.

"What we need is not simply lecturers who are 'better at English,' but those who can teach well in English," he said, insisting on EMI and CLIL approaches that balance academic rigor with language support.

Dr. Loc said Vietnam still lacks standardized training pathways for teaching specialized subjects in English and called for structured programs, including mentorship models pairing senior and junior lecturers.

Lifelong learning and discipline

Despite a demanding schedule that includes leadership roles at a university and the city's boxing federation, Dr. Loc says he exercises regularly, crediting discipline rather than extra time.

He also views language learning as a lifelong pursuit. In addition to English, he is studying Cantonese through daily podcasts, arguing that age is less important than motivation, clear goals, and consistent practice.

For adult learners, he recommends short daily study sessions, prioritizing listening and speaking, accepting mistakes, and connecting language learning to personal interests or professional needs.

As Vietnam raises English standards in higher education, Dr. Loc said universities must do so gradually, acknowledging wide gaps in students' access to English between urban centers and more remote areas.

"Raising the bar is necessary," he said, "but it must come with a realistic roadmap so no group of learners is left behind."