Learning English in Vietnam

As one of world’s top ranked English language schools, we are always in the look out for insights on how English is taught around the world. Luckily for us, we have thousands of English language learners who we speak to everyday. Today we wanted to interview Phan, one of our students from Hanoi, Vietnam, and learn more about the process of learning English from a native Vietnam speaker’s perspective. Phan is an engineering student and is in the process applying to MBA programs in the US, and loved trying out new recipes in her spare time!

You have learned English at school. Correct?

Answer – Yes, I actually learned English for more than 6 years in school. Unfortunately, schools in Vietnam focus a lot on English writing and reading, and not so much on conversational English. As a result, I can write in English fairly well but struggle when it comes to speaking. Fortunately, I have found Spoken English Practice where I was able to practice a lot with my conversation partners and that has helped me speak better English.

What methods have you tried before to improve English speaking?

Answer – I have tried a lot learning methods. I used Rosetta Stone which was helpful at the start but once you get to an intermediate level it becomes less impactful. I tried few language exchange programs and the challenge there is having productive sessions. If you are speaking in your native language half the time, you will not improve fast. I have also tried a few English language newsletter programs that were of little help.

What about English language schools in Vietnam?

Answer – Sadly, most English language schools in Hanoi where I live (and even Ho Chi Minh city/Saigon) follow the same teaching methods as the schools there. The English teacher speaks mostly in Vietnamese, and even when we do a conversational exercise it is mostly a role-play. I wish there were better approaches used in Vietnam to teach English.

What made you pick Spoken English Practice?

Answer – The approach. Spoken English Practice is one of the few online English speaking courses that has a really logical approach. The sessions are essentially real English conversations, just like what I would have if I loved in the US or UK. The conversations partners will not stop the conversation every time I make a mistake, which allows you to speak a lot during the session. Also, Spoken English Practice has conducted online English courses for a long time now and I wanted to join a trusted, reputable program.

Tell us a bit about what an English lesson is like at Spoken English Practice?

Answer – They are a lot of fun because they are not traditional English lessons. You will not be taught grammar theory. Everything is conversational. You will pick topics and just talk – it could be about sports, education, the world energy crisis, culture etc. So you learn English by immersing yourself in the language. That is what make the lessons very effective.

Thanks Phan! Thank you for your time and we wish you all the best with your studies!

April 29, 2015