Improving the capacity of teaching and learning foreign languages in the changing context

The above-mentioned topic was the theme of an online scientific conference organized by Faculty of Foreign Languages, Nguyen Tat Thanh University. The program took place online on September 1, 2021

To contribute to solving the employment-related issues for graduates in the context of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese businesses withdrawing from the economy, as well as affirming the Faculty’s educational philosophy of ‘Learning takes place in the social arena’ (learning associated with social practice), the Faculty of Foreign Languages organized a scientific conference with the topic of Improving the capacity of teaching and learning foreign languages in the changing context. The conference was held online via Zoom Premium platform.

The conference welcomed the presence of MSc. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, General Director of UK Education & Investment Joint Stock Company; MSc. Huynh Quoc Minh Chau, Human Resources Director of New Horizon Education Joint Stock Company; MSc. To Thi Hong Hanh, Education Council- CEFALT Center for Foreign Affairs and Languages Training – a governmental agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lecturer at International University – Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City; MSc. Nguyen Thi Nhu Thuy, Director of Education Solutions Vietnam Group.

In addition, the Conference also honored to welcome representatives from enterprises: UK Education & Investment Joint Stock Company; New Horizon GD Joint Stock Company, Sylvan Learning Vietnam; CEFALT Center for Foreign Affairs and Languages Training -a governmental agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Premium AM Premium Co., Ltd specializing in translations and global immigration consulting.

A representative from the Board of Presidents, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Hong – Vice President sent a warm greetings to all participants. She expressed her support and appreciation to the lecturers and students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​for their interest and efforts in organizing the conference with high quality content with the participation of distinguished guests. The conference definitely helped students learn while staying safe at home in the context of the current Covid pandemic. The University always cares, and provides assistance to all Faculties and the programs to improve the capacity and quality of training activities, scientific research, innovation and entrepreneurship and community service contributing to the development of our society.

Dr. Le Thi Kieu Van – Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​delivered opening remarks at the Conference, emphasizing that the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​always focuses on activities to improve the capacity of teaching and learning foreign languages ​​in the unpredictable circumstances that everything has to be done online. The Faculty hopes that this conference can provide more information and useful experiences shared by the guests to lecturers and students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages in helping them get more ideas, plans and opportunities in training activities, research…

At the conference, speakers presented about the expectations of enterprises for graduates with majors in foreign languages, their experiences in job interviews and the experiences when undertaking internships, working at companies… In order to create an environment for students to learn and solve real-life problems caused by the pandemic, representatives from enterprises shared to all participants the status quo of their business in 2021, as well as recruitment demands and criteria. While listening to the sharing of guests, the students also asked many questions and obtained useful information from the Q&A session.

Some images at the conference

Students’ scientific research is a vital and prioritized activity in the learning environment at the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​- Nguyen Tat Thanh University, contributing to affirming the Faculty’s high quality of training activities in accordance with AUN-QA quality assurance standards. This is also an effective method for students to expand their knowledge, interpersonal skills, and the opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge to solving practical problems. At the conference a group of students presented the scientific research findings of the topic “The Analysis of Nguyen Tat Thanh University’s Organizational Culture and Its Implication in on-the-job learning culture” – the analysis of Nguyen Tat Thanh University’s organizational culture and the meaning of practical learning culture.

Students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​attending the seminar not only listened to a lot of valuable discussions, experiences and the expectations from guest speakers, but also received vouchers from the enterprises participating in the conference. This is a source of encouragement and excitement for students when participating in academic activities.

Enterprise representatives highly appreciated the organization of this conference. They shared that there are currently many graduates of the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​who are working in companies, some of them are now managers. Besides, they are willing to support students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​- Nguyen Tat Thanh University as interns and collaborators. This can be seen as an affirmation of the quality of teaching and learning of lecturers and students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages which has met the needs of employers, ensuring the output standards of the profession.

At the end of the Conference, Dr. Bui Thanh Tuong Thuy-Deputy Dean of Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​thanked the delegates, guest speakers, representatives and all lecturers and students who attended the conference. With nearly 150 participants, the conference demonstrated the effectiveness of transforming from offline to online platforms under the current situation of the Covid epidemic.