According to the "Enhancing Foreign Language Proficiency for the Community Project, 2026-2030, with orientation to 2045" recently announced by the Phu Quoc special economic zone, the program will be piloted in 10-15 schools across all three educational levels from 9/2026 to 6/2027. Community English classes will also be opened in Duong Dong, Ganh Dau, An Thoi, and Duong To.

The program prioritizes individuals who frequently interact with international visitors, such as vendors, taxi drivers, tourism and service staff, as well as students and civil servants. Learning content will focus on practical communication, feature flexible organization, and integrate the application of technology and artificial intelligence.

Residents interested in participating can register via the official website or a public link provided by the organizing committee. Subsequently, they will be assessed for their proficiency level and assigned appropriate study schedules.

Residents and students in Phu Quoc participate in activities at the project announcement ceremony. *Duong Dong*.

Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, Vice Chairwoman of the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone People's Committee, stated that the immediate goal is not to achieve English fluency but to equip learners with basic knowledge and build confidence in communicating with international guests.

Following the pilot phase, Phu Quoc plans to expand the program to at least 50% of high schools and double the number of community classes by 2030. From 2031 to 2035, the program will cover all high schools and further expand within the residential areas.

Within the framework of the project, the special economic zone's authorities have signed cooperation agreements with educational organizations, foreign language centers, and businesses. They will also provide English scholarships to local students.

Ho Van Mung, Chairman of the An Giang Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that enhancing the community's foreign language skills is crucial for preparing human resources for the APEC Senior Officials' Week 2027 and for long-term tourism development.

The APEC Senior Officials' Week is scheduled to take place in Phu Quoc in 11/2027, with delegates from 21 member economies. This marks the third time Vietnam has hosted APEC, following Ha Noi in 2006 and Da Nang in 2017.

Ngoc Tai - Duong Dong