Le Thuy Phuong, a 9th-grade student at Song Tri Secondary School in Ha Tinh, received her IELTS results on 22/8. She achieved a perfect 9.0 in both Listening and Reading, and 7.5 in Speaking and Writing.
"I was hoping for an 8.0, so this result exceeded my expectations. I was overjoyed, I screamed and ran to hug my mom and we jumped around," Phuong shared.
The nearest IELTS testing center with in-person speaking exams was in Hanoi, so Phuong and her mother traveled there from their home in Ha Tinh. The closest center in Vinh City (Nghe An) only offered online speaking tests via video call.
"I wanted the examiners to see my expressions and accurately assess my skills, avoiding any technical issues that might affect my performance," Phuong explained.
According to IELTS statistics, most test-takers in Vietnam are between 16 and 22 years old, with only about 1% achieving a score of 8.5 or higher. A score of 8.0 is considered to indicate mastery of the language, with the ability to handle complex arguments and fine details.
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Le Thuy Phuong, a student at Song Tri Secondary School in Ha Tinh. Photo: Family provided |
Le Thuy Phuong, a student at Song Tri Secondary School in Ha Tinh. Photo: Family provided
Phuong's journey with English began at the age of 3 when her mother took her to a local English center. There, she listened to classes alongside older students and practiced speaking with native English teachers. She has continued learning consistently ever since.
In 7th and 8th grade, Phuong competed in the 9th-grade level of the provincial English competition and won first place both times. More recently, she and two friends won first place in the "English Window" program organized by the provincial Department of Education and Training.
In May, Phuong enrolled in an online IELTS course. She planned to use the certificate to qualify for an award in the student excellence competition, which would allow her to focus on the 10th-grade entrance exam. In previous years, Ha Tinh province had granted special consideration to students with international language certificates, with an 8.0 IELTS score typically equivalent to first place.
In addition to her three weekly classes, Phuong practiced two test papers each week, watched videos analyzing writing samples, and simulated the speaking test online.
"I enjoy the Listening and Reading sections because I can track my progress and challenge myself to get a perfect score. If I don't, I can identify my mistakes," Phuong said.
The Writing section proved to be the most challenging for Phuong. "I practiced a lot but didn't see much improvement, which was frustrating and stressful," she admitted. With encouragement from her mother and a close friend, she persisted, practicing with online tests, getting feedback from teachers, and studying sample essays and advice from experienced test-takers.
On the exam day, the Writing section asked her to discuss two opposing viewpoints on free healthcare and education.
"I was taken aback by the broad topic and needed a minute or two to gather my thoughts," Phuong recounted. In her essay, she argued that national budgets might be prioritized for other urgent matters, but she agreed that healthcare and education should be free because they are essential services.
Phuong's familiarity with conversing with native English speakers gave her an advantage in the Listening and Speaking sections. Before the Speaking test, she reviewed some prepared topics and was relieved to find a similar question, asking her to describe "an energetic person you know." She imagined a friend and described characteristics that fit the prompt.
In the Reading section, Phuong took her time understanding the questions and finding the information. She followed the 10-15-20 method (time allocated for each reading passage), leaving any uncertain questions blank to revisit at the end.
Phuong's next goal is to pass the entrance exam for Ha Tinh Specialized High School. She says she may pursue a career related to English in the future.
Hai Yen
