Trends in English language teaching and learning

The British Council’s New Directions in English Language and Assessment conference opened on October 13 in Hanoi. Experts of language assessment brought international and national perspectives and insight into trends and approaches in English language teaching, learning and assessment. 

New Directions is a series of expert-led events in East Asia where policy makers, educational professionals, academics, teachers can interact, exchange information, and keep abreast of leading developments in the field of English language teaching, learning, and assessment.

Professor Bui Van Ga, Vice Minister of Education and Training of Vietnam speaks at the conference
Professor Bui Van Ga, Vice Minister of Education and Training of Vietnam speaks at the conference 

With the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) planning to make English the second language in Vietnam, the topic of English language testing and its implications was of great relevance to policy makers, parents and students in Vietnam. Experts from the MoET’s National Foreign Languages Project 2020 and experts from the UK and other countries look specifically at language testing in Vietnam, its challenges, and opportunities for development to support English students across the whole country.

Mark Walker, East Asia Regional Director, British Council said: ‘We’re delighted that the East Asia New Directions Conference is held this year in Vietnam, bringing together the best UK, Vietnamese and East Asian experts in language testing to share research and best practice, to help Vietnamese teachers, institutions and employers find new ways to test real English language proficiency

Professor Bui Van Ga, Vice Minister of Education and Training of Vietnam said: “Language assessment is an important tool in teaching and learning a foreign language. It can be seen as a measurement of learners’ ability to use the language in practice. In the context of deeper international integration, language assessment is much more important. Once language ability is evaluated based on international standards, Vietnam’s workforce will be more competitive in the international labour market as well as having more job opportunities in the context of free labour movement within the ASEAN Economic Community”.

Huyen Chi

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