English to be second language in schools under new national plan

The Prime Minister has ratified the “Proposal to Make English the Second Language in Schools (2025–2035, vision to 2045),” aiming to strengthen societal consensus on English as a second language and advance Vietnam’s global educational, cultural, and economic integration.

The plan emphasizes improving the quality of English teaching and learning, building an English-language ecosystem in schools, and fostering an environment where English is naturally and effectively used across all levels of education.

Building a nationwide English language ecosystem

The proposal’s central goal is to institutionalize English as a second language in Vietnam’s schools. English is to be used widely and effectively in teaching, communication, school management, and extracurricular activities, forming a comprehensive English-language ecosystem from level 1 to level 3 in educational institutions.

Improving the quality of both English instruction and instruction through English is key to developing a generation of global citizens ready for international integration.

At the preschool level, children will be exposed to and familiarized with English, building early communication skills and preparing them for formal English learning in primary school.

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Illustrative photo: Thanh Hung

In primary and secondary education, the focus will be on building students’ capacity to use English for critical thinking, academic subjects, educational activities, and real-world experiences - both inside and outside of school - contributing to the development of well-rounded individuals in the era of deep international integration.

At the university level, institutions will be encouraged to expand teaching, research, and academic exchanges in English, moving toward a bilingual learning environment.

In vocational education, English learning will be tied to professional skills, meeting the demands of both domestic and global labor markets.

Key targets and timelines

From 2025 to 2030, all preschools in cities and favorable regions must enable English exposure for children. English will become a mandatory subject from Grade 1 in all primary schools nationwide. In higher education, at least 20% of universities will reach level 1 in English use, with 1.5% achieving level 2 and 3% achieving level 3, excluding institutions focused on non-English foreign languages.

The proposal covers all levels and types of education, including preschool, general education, higher education, vocational training, and continuing education. It is projected to affect around 50,000 educational institutions, 30 million learners, and 1 million educators and administrators nationwide.

Three-phase rollout through 2045

Phase 1 (2025–2030): Laying the foundation and standardizing practices to ensure English is systematically and regularly used in schools.

Phase 2 (2030–2035): Expansion and intensification of English usage across all educational contexts.

Phase 3 (2035–2045): Full integration, where English is naturally embedded in teaching, communication, and school governance.

Massive demand for English teachers

To achieve its goals, the Ministry of Education and Training estimates a need for an additional 22,000 English teachers by 2030.

In preschools, each institution will require at least one full-time English teacher, resulting in approximately 12,000 new public sector positions.

In primary schools, where English will now be taught from Grade 1 instead of Grade 3, nearly 10,000 additional English teachers will be needed nationwide.

Moreover, the plan calls for the training and professional development of at least 200,000 teachers capable of teaching subjects in English by 2035.

This strategic shift in language education aims to redefine the role of English in Vietnam’s schools - turning it from a subject into a tool for learning, communication, and global competitiveness.

Thanh Hung