The Vietnamese language is getting significant attention through numerous educational programs and events aimed at promoting its use and comprehension among both children and adults. From nationwide contests celebrating young learners to initiatives supporting the Vietnamese community abroad, the push for preserving and teaching the language has never been more evident.
On December 24, 2024, the Department of Education and Training of Chi Lăng organized the first-ever "Trạng nguyên tiếng Việt" (Vietnamese Language Champion) competition for preschool children for the school year 2024-2025. This event featured 20 outstanding candidates from various kindergartens within the district, all selected from earlier screenings at their schools.
The competition consisted of three parts: talent display, intelligence challenge, and agility tests. Each contestant introduced themselves, their families, and their hometowns using the Vietnamese language as part of the first round. The second part required participants to answer questions related to Vietnamese phonetics and vocabulary, answering by displaying selection cards. Finally, the last round involved each child completing tasks independently, such as coloring letters and finding specified characters as directed by the organizers.
The aim of this event was not simply to crown champions but to equip children with foundational Vietnamese language skills, allowing them to express themselves confidently. "Thông qua hội thi nhằm trang bị cho trẻ các kiến thức, kỹ năng cơ bản về nghe, hiểu, diễn đạt bằng tiếng Việt..." noted one spokesperson. The event concluded with the distribution of awards: one first prize, five second prizes, nine third prizes, and five encouragement awards, with the top prize awarded to the representative of Sơn Ca Kindergarten.
On the international stage, efforts to bolster Vietnamese language education for expatriates are also gaining momentum. Early November 2024 saw the Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Pham Ngoc Thuong, leading a delegation to Poland to improve Vietnamese language teaching among the Vietnamese community. This visit coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Poland and aimed to assess and bolster the existing educational frameworks.
During this visit, the delegation met with the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and observed Vietnamese language classes held at Lạc Long Quân School, established by the local Vietnamese community 25 years ago. With 150-200 students attending weekend classes, the school has developed its own Vietnamese language textbook, "Em học tiếng Việt," catering to all proficiency levels. Despite progress, the school faces challenges due to insufficient resources, prompting calls for support from Vietnamese educational institutions.
"Thứ trưởng Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo Phạm Ngọc Thưởng ghi nhận và hoan nghênh những cố gắng mà bà con..." he applauded the community's efforts to maintain and develop the use of Vietnamese, assigning responsibility to various educational departments for establishing support frameworks for Vietnamese language education for locals interested in learning.
The ministry's outreach didn’t stop there. Following their success in Poland, the delegation traveled to Hungary, where they visited the Vietnamese Language Center Budapest. Established in 2010, this center focuses on teaching Vietnamese and nurturing community connections, running nine classes with approximately 70 students across two locations.
The center has significantly evolved since its inception, flourishing from one class and single instructor to now employing eight teachers for both physical and online instruction. Beyond language education, the center hosts yearly cultural events, such as the Vietnamese Language Festival and VIETCAMP summer camp for young Vietnamese expatriates. It actively partakes in efforts to preserve Vietnamese language and culture within Europe.
Offering heartfelt support, Deputy Minister Thuong contributed 500 EURO as prizes for the students participating in the center's contest, "Việt Nam trong tôi" (Vietnam in Me), exemplifying his commitment to fostering educational and cultural values. The ministry continues to affirm its commitment to helping Vietnamese communities worldwide maintain their linguistic heritage and culture. Upcoming plans include organizing training sessions for Vietnamese teachers abroad, with 40 educators and volunteers participating from nine different countries, focusing on Vietnamese pedagogical methods.
Through these multifaceted initiatives, the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training aims to bolster language proficiency and cultural passion among both children and expatriates, ensuring the language not only survives but thrives across borders.
