German and Korean languages will be taught as optional subject for Vietnamese students from third to twelfth grade on a pilot basis from the academic year of 2021-22, according to the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET).

Vietnam to pilot teaching German, Korean in high schools. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

The pilot teaching of Korean and German aims to help students improve their communication skills in the languages of these two countries that have developed increasing exchanges with Vietnam, and meet the demand for foreign language interpreters and translators during integration, said the MoET.

Specifically, sixth grade learners of German or Korean could achieve level A1 (elementary), nine graders would finish intermediate and 12th grader could reach advanced level. The languages will be taught in a total of 1,155 periods and each period lasts 35 minutes.

The ministry also emphasized that these two languages are optional. Besides, high school students could be taught the two languages as the mandatory foreign language subject if schools ensure teaching staff and facilities.

The core content of the Korean and German program aims to train Vietnamese students to master four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in German and Korean.

Currently, schools in Vietnam are teaching English, Russian, French, Chinese, Japanese, German and Korean. Students who sit for the senior high school graduation examination can opt for English, Russian, Chinese, French, Japanese and German. English is the most common foreign language taught in high schools in Vietnam.

In addition, nine-grade students in Hanoi can choose English, French, German, Japanese, or Korean when taking foreign language tests for admission to high schools.