This initiative, announced on 29/7, is part of NEU's plan to develop English as a second language. NEU is the first university in Vietnam to publicly announce such a plan.

The overarching goal is to integrate English into all university activities, enabling students, faculty, and staff to become proficient in the language. This aims to meet the demands of international integration and career development.

NEU will adjust its curriculum so that at least 30% of all courses are taught in English by 2028. Currently, English-language instruction is primarily used in advanced and international programs, while standard programs still use Vietnamese.

Furthermore, from 2030, graduating students must achieve a minimum B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or an equivalent IELTS score of 6.0. The current minimum requirement for Vietnamese-taught programs is an IELTS score of 5.5.

To support students in meeting the new requirements, NEU will implement tiered English classes upon enrollment. Specialized English courses will be offered mid-program, and test preparation and exit exams will be conducted towards the end of the program.

The university will also expand the use of English in all activities, including academic events, bilingual administrative documents, and designated "English zones" on campus. Students and faculty will be encouraged to communicate in English during specific times and activities. An artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem will be developed to facilitate self-learning for both teachers and students.

Students at the institute of advanced training, high quality, and POHE - the unit with English-taught programs at the National Economics University. Photo: AEP NEU

Students at the institute of advanced training, high quality, and POHE - the unit with English-taught programs at the National Economics University. Photo: AEP NEU

NEU believes it has a strong foundation and favorable conditions to implement this plan.

For instance, in 2017, NEU became the first university in Vietnam to use international language certificates for admissions. In 2020, the university began accepting SAT and ACT scores. The number of applicants with international certificates has steadily increased, from 50 in 2017 to 25,000 this year.

NEU surveyed the academic performance of students admitted in the last three years. The survey showed that students with international English certificates, combined with aptitude and critical thinking test scores, performed better than other groups.

25,000 candidates with IELTS and SAT scores applied to NEU.

In 2008, NEU launched its first English-taught program (business administration). By 2024, this number increased to 25 programs, accounting for over one-third of the total programs offered. In the next 5 years, NEU plans to increase the number of English-taught programs to 35, with the proportion of courses taught in English rising from 50% to 65%.

Thanh Hang