THE English skills of Vietnamese students are at a low level in comparison with students in regional countries, according to a survey by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), the VietNamNet Bridge has reported.

The MOET sent a questionnaire to 162 universities throughout the country and received replies from 59. It found that Vietnamese students are not capable enough to use English in learning and research. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of the MOET Banh Tien Long has asked universities to help students improve their English skills so that they can use the language confidently and competently by 2015.

Although 87.2 percent of the surveyed universities said they had set goals when compiling syllabuses for English teaching, the goals prove to be vague with no detailed criteria on the standards of English skills. Only 15.6 percent of universities said they regularly amend syllabuses and teaching documents to improve teaching quality.

The ministry has also pointed out that English teaching in Vietnam is still focusing on reading. Teachers do not pay appropriate attention to communication skills. Long suggested universities attach more importance to upgrading English teaching facilities. Teachers should improve their teaching methods as well.

According to the MOET, special emphasis on teaching English for Special Purposes will be put in the future. By 2012, students majoring in information technology, finance and banking, business administration and tourism will be taught in English. By 2020, English will be the teaching language for subjects that have high social demand.

The ministry will allow and encourage students to learn English in advance and shorten the duration of required English learning. There will be regulations on exempting English learning and examinations for students who have certificates of English granted by international or recognized domestic institutions.