Innovation in foreign language and information technology teaching methods towards international integration

Raising training standards

According to the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, in the 2024-2025 school year, there are currently 1,961 foreign language and information technology centers in the city; of which 158 centers have foreign investment capital and 1,803 centers have domestic capital. This number increased by 6% compared to the previous school year, showing that the demand for learning language and information technology skills is increasing.

Photo caption — Leaders of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City awarded commemorative medals to foreign language and information technology centers with outstanding educational achievements.

The total number of students enrolled in the year reached nearly 268,600, distributed in more than 49,000 classes. English alone still dominates with more than 239,000 students studying, along with other foreign languages such as Japanese, Korean, Chinese, French... Notably, foreign language centers associated with kindergartens, primary schools, and high schools have developed rapidly, with more than 206,000 preschoolers being introduced to English from the beginning of their lives, an important step towards forming early foreign language skills for the new generation.

In parallel, the schools have invested significantly in facilities with more than 4,800 classrooms, 516 libraries and nearly 1,900 computers for teaching and learning. The teaching staff is nearly 4,300 teachers, including 2,999 Vietnamese teachers and 1,310 foreign teachers. During the year, the Department organized dozens of specialized training sessions, focusing on the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching foreign languages and information technology.

The results show clear effectiveness with nearly 180,000 students achieving international certificates, including 146,236 Cambridge certificates, tens of thousands of IELTS, TOEFL, MOS certificates... This is convincing evidence for innovation in training methods and raising training standards.

In this trend, many center models have contributed to creating a new look. For example, the ILA system with more than 70 centers and 3,000 pioneering personnel applies the PBL method combined with 4C (Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration). Students not only learn languages but also carry out practical projects such as designing communication posters, building environmental protection plans, and presenting startup ideas.

According to Ms. Anastasia Romashova, ILA Director of Academic Affairs, this approach helps students “both acquire knowledge and practice soft skills for global integration”. The assessment results show that ILA students achieve Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL Junior scores higher than international standards, over 90% are confident in communicating in an international environment.

Pioneering innovation models

Not only focusing on scale, many centers also focus on depth, combining training with practical experience, creating attraction for learners.

For example, Saigon Language Center builds on the motto "Developing people - Connecting the world", organizing many extracurricular activities such as learning to cook with foreign chefs, visiting FDI enterprises, exchanging with Japanese leaders, taking artistic photos... Each lesson is a vivid experience, helping students actively apply the language, thereby increasing their confidence and ability to integrate.

In the field of information technology, MindX focuses on Gen Z and Gen Alpha, digital natives who are familiar with technology but easily distracted. The Digital Technology Innovation Information Technology Center has implemented Gamification and Game-based Learning, turning each lesson into a game journey with a system of points, levels, and badges. Platforms such as Minecraft Education, CodeCombat, and Kahoot are integrated, helping to improve class retention rates while also training students' collaboration and logical thinking skills.

At the community level, CLIS Binh Duong stands out with its cooperative network model of 171 units. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai, Head of CLIS Binh Duong Club, said that after less than a year of establishment, CLIS has made its mark with the Primary English Olympiad, the Edu Leaders Cafe training series, the community run, etc. With the core values of "Solidarity - Service - Creativity", CLIS not only improves the quality of foreign language and IT training but also builds a sustainable educational culture in the locality.

According to Ms. Truong Hai Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, the three key tasks for the 2025-2026 school year are to continue improving the quality of the teaching staff; promote the application of digital technology and AI; and expand the model of linking foreign language and information technology teaching in schools. These are also specific steps to realize the goal of making English the second language of the city.

From typical models and orientations of the education sector, it can be seen that teaching and learning foreign languages and information technology in Ho Chi Minh City is entering a new phase: not only imparting knowledge but also aiming at training comprehensive capacity, preparing learners for international integration.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/giao-duc/doi-moi-phuong-phap-giang-day-ngoai-ngutin-hoc-huong-toi-hoi-nhap-quoc-te-20250925132842506.htm