Vietnamese educators say foreign language learning builds empathy, critical thinking in AI age

At DOL English, academic manager Do Thi Ngoc Anh, who holds a master's degree and an IELTS score of 8.5, says studying a new language does far more than improve grammar and vocabulary.

"Learning a foreign language forces you to understand another culture and another way of thinking," she said.

"That makes you more empathetic. And because the process requires persistence, it also teaches you how to manage frustration and regulate emotions."

To bring these lessons into the classroom, DOL English integrates emotional intelligence into English training.

Activities such as debates, group discussions, and role-playing exercises are designed not just to practice speaking but to cultivate key interpersonal skills.

"In a safe environment, students learn how to listen actively, express themselves respectfully, and respond constructively to opposing viewpoints," Ngoc Anh said.

"The goal is to help them become not only competent in English but also better communicators in real life."

Ngoc Anh argues that foreign language study naturally reinforces both critical thinking and emotional intelligence (EQ), two areas that artificial intelligence cannot replicate.

Critical thinking develops as students learn to analyze and evaluate what they read or hear instead of absorbing information passively.

Emotional intelligence grows both through the empathy required to understand cultural differences and the perseverance needed to overcome setbacks.

Her own experience illustrates the point. When writing a scholarship essay, Ngoc Anh resisted the temptation to lean on artificial intelligence for polished prose.

Instead, she used her own experiences as raw material and applied the logical framework of Linearthinking, a teaching philosophy pioneered by DOL, to organize her ideas.

"AI can generate elegant sentences, but it doesn't have lived experiences, it doesn't have emotion, it doesn't have your unique voice," she said.

"The secret is to tell your own story with authenticity and structure."

Linearthinking, now a signature of DOL English, is more than a language-learning method, according to academic director Tran Anh Khoa, an IELTS 9.0 scorer.

It is a system of thought designed to help students dismantle rote learning habits common in Vietnam.

"Instead of memorizing ready-made ideas, students learn to specify abstract issues, simplify difficult texts and trace connections between different pieces of information," Khoa said.

"That skill doesn't just improve English; it makes learning in any subject more efficient."

The approach, he added, frees up students' mental energy.

"When learning becomes less about cramming and more about understanding, students have the space to strengthen other essential skills like critical thinking and emotional intelligence.

"That's what it takes to become global citizens, not just English speakers."

A similar philosophy guides Song Nguyen Education, founded by PhD student Lam Nguyen Bao.

He believes Vietnamese teachers hold a unique advantage in cultivating critical thinking because they understand the cultural hurdles their students face.

"Vietnamese students often fear making mistakes, avoid debate, and rely too heavily on memorization," Bao said.

"Teachers here can diagnose those barriers and use Vietnamese to explain complex logical concepts, creating a safe environment where students can voice opinions and practice reasoning."

Song Nguyen's programs extend beyond the classroom.

Short-term study abroad trips, leadership camps and life-skills retreats push students into unfamiliar settings where they must adapt, collaborate, and resolve conflicts.

"Every clash is a chance to practice emotional intelligence," Bao said.

"From sharing rooms to managing disagreements, students learn how to control themselves, respect others, and live independently."

He stresses that leadership in the age of AI is not about technical dominance but about connection.

"Glocal Leadership Camp doesn't teach leadership through theory or slides," he said.

"It teaches it through teamwork, debate, and problem-solving.

"Leaders today don't need to know everything, they need to inspire and bring people together."

For students preparing scholarship applications, Song Nguyen's message echoes that of DOL.

While AI can check grammar or refine sentence structure, Bao tells his students the core of an essay must come from personal experience.

"Our workshops don't just teach writing," he said.

"They help students uncover their own journeys and recognize that their lived experiences are the real story.

"AI is a tool, not the author."

Both DOL English and Song Nguyen Education agree that while AI is transforming education, it cannot replicate the human qualities that make learning meaningful.

For young Vietnamese, they say, mastering English is only part of the goal.

The bigger prize is cultivating empathy, resilience and independent thinking, skills that may matter more than ever in a world shaped by machines.