(From Electronic Newspaper: Education and Age)
All new students at Thai Nguyen University of Technology (TNUT) are going to “get rid of literacy” by a semester taught only in English. It is one of creative and decisive methods to succeed in implementing National Foreign Languages 2020 Project (NFL2020) at TNUT.
Finding Master for lecturers.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Quang The
Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Quang The – Thai Nguyen University of Technology once caused uproar when purging some unwel-trained lecturers. He reminded that “It is human who make success, so that, to have good quality in training, the lecturers have to be well-trained.
The desire that lecturers and students must be good at English had been expected by the Rector before the NLF2020 Project was carried out. After that, 02 advanced program were launched at TNUT, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. This seemed to be an advantage for the project implementation. With these programs, TNUT has created innovation in training program and evaluation method. However, lecturers have difficulty in teaching contents.
“We had many reactions while implementing this project. If I had thought for myself a little bit, we would not have succedded”, said Assoc. Prof, Dr Phan Quang The. NFL2020 project appeared when we need English for advanced program. At that time, the real role of this project was not the expense. It was the legal basis that the project could be carried out: All lecturers and students could use English in teaching and learning.
The purpose of lecturers going abroad is not only to learn foreign language. More important, these lecturers could get rid of difficulties in learning foreign language. Their thinking is thus changed to approach modern education background.
Rector Phan Quang Thế
NFL2020 project was started in 2011. Until 2013, many English classes were opened to improve lecturers’ English level. Thanks to Advanced Program, TNUT takes about 40 lecturers to US to attend a training course in 2 – 3 months annually.
“Many people sai that I am wasting money to do that. However, in my opinion, the purpose of lecturers going abroad is not only to learn foreign language. More important, these lecturers could get rid of difficulties in learning foreign language. Their thinking is thus changed to approach modern education background. In fact, we have succeeded in this project”
Besides, TNUT usually invite English Training institutions to improve lecturers’ English level inspite of the big expense. We find that looking master for our lectures is very important, so if we have excellent masters, we will reach the target in a shorter time.
TNUT has intention to change the English teaching organization. Students will have to study only English in one semester and give supplementary course in the following semesters.
Rector Phan Qang The said : “By the end of 2014, it is compulsory for all lecturers to obtain at least 450 TOEFL score. Lecturers of Faculty of International Training have to achieve at least 500 TOEFL score and 550 by the end of this year. All lecturers at TNUT have to gain at least 500 TOEFL score by the end of 2015”
From 2015, all sudents at TNUT are required to obtain at least 390 TOEFL score and this result must be added 10 points each year. Until 2021, the required score is 450 according to the requirement of Ministry of Education and Training.
English must be applied in teaching and studying
It is especially considered by the rector that lecturers who meet the English requirement must apply English in teaching and studying. They have to use books in English to plan their lessons. Students who want to refer to any documents have to read books in English. This regulation has been implemented successfully at TNUT.
Different from other educational institutions, TNUT do not mind spending money on 2020 NFL project. Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Quang The shared frankly: “From my point of view, the financial disclosure is much more important than the expense we use when implementing 2020 NFL project. For example, TNUT is the first university to rank lecturers and staff in order. We are willing to spend from 7 - 12 million dongs on rewarding lecturers who achieve high TOEFL score.”
According to the rector, one of the secrets that help us succeed in this project is that we consider it as a key item in basic and total educational renovation.
"Without air, people would not survive; Without water, fish would not survive. The same as NFL2020 project", Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Quang The compared.
By Hieu Nguyen
