Vietnam - New English programmes puzzle parents

Primary schools in HCM City are offering new English courses, but parents are confused over which to choose for their children.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, Ky Dong Primary School, in District No. 3, is offering four separate English courses, including optional, intensive, Cambridge and DynEd.

One parent shared, “At first I wanted my children to enroll in the optional course. But I realised that the curriculum was not challenging enough. On the other hand, I don't know if we can afford the Cambridge

course."

Each programme offered by the school has a different fee and schedule. The optional course includes four classes a week at VND30,000 (USD1.4) per month. The intensive course has double the classes for VND50,000 (USD3.4) a month, while the Cambridge classes are USD150 per month and includes six classes a week.

Duoc Song Primary School, in District No. 1, is oraganising 18 intensive English classes for students at different grades levels in addition to an optional English course with two classes per week.

Many other primary schools in HCM City are also providing different English courses at the same time beginning from this year.

The municipal Department of Education and Training has initiated a number of pilot programmes for English courses at several primary schools throughout the city since March 2010.

The English Divide

L.T.H. is a mother with a child who studies at Le Ngoc Han Primary School in District No. 1. She said that, not only is she confused about which programme to choose, but also that the differences in price may be unfair and ultimately show a socio-economic divide in the society.

The intensive English programme was recently reviewed by the Department of Education and Training.

After 12 years of implementation, it was found to have great support among parents. But the introduction of the Cambridge programme has caused concern among parents, both over its cost, and its value relative to the intensive courses.

Many people are prompted to enroll their children in Cambridge just to keep up with their friends.

Mr. H., a father who has a child studying at Hong Ha Primary School in Binh Thanh District said, “I believe that the Cambridge programme must be better because it costs more."

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