Borderless education: An American teacher's classroom reaches nearly 300 Vietnamese students

Going beyond traditional classrooms, she has organised a special class where nearly 300 students across Vietnam can access international standard education, overcoming geographical and cultural barriers.

Longing for the homeland from halfway worldwide

Ms. Nguyen Pham, a Vietnamese teacher residing in California, USA, has been away from her homeland for nearly 50 years. Despite settling in a foreign land, she has always harboured a deep-seated desire to contribute to her homeland and provide valuable contributions to the young generation of Vietnam. With a passion for teaching and understanding the importance of education, she always aspired to create a nurturing learning environment that encourages students to take on academic challenges.

Recognising the growing need for English language education in Vietnam, especially as not every student has access to quality learning resources, Ms. Nguyen conceived the idea of organising a free online English class accessible to students nationwide. Her opportunity came when she learned about Khan Academy Vietnam (KAV), which brought the renowned U.S.-based Khan Academy platform favoured by many educators to Vietnam. This inspired her to connect and start an English class for Vietnamese students.

As a result, the "English Language Arts" class for students from grades 3 to 6 was launched, attracting nearly 300 students from all over Vietnam. This made Ms. Nguyen's dream come true, opening new chapters in the students' borderless educational journey. The curriculum is based on Khan Academy’s Reading and Language Arts courses, focusing on vocabulary, grammar, and practical English usage in various contexts and topics.

Ms. Nguyen's "English Language Arts" class has attracted many Vietnamese students.

Technology bridges the geographical gap

With over 30 years of teaching experience in U.S. K-12 schools, Ms.Nguyen has taught students from diverse cultural, religious, and regional backgrounds. However, her online English class is unique: Ms. Nguyen teaches from the U.S., while her students are scattered across Vietnam, from Hanoi to mountainous provinces and the Mekong Delta. She has explored and combined various modern technological tools to bridge the geographical gap and ensure effective teaching.

Ms. Nguyen utilises Khan Academy to provide instructional videos, materials, and homework assignments while relying on the platform's reports to adjust her lesson content. Online classes are conducted via Zoom and integrated with interactive tools like Kahoot, Quizziz, Pear Deck, and Jamboard to create fun, engaging activities that keep students focused. These tools also ensure that the connection between the teacher and students—and among the students themselves—remains strong, helping them feel more comfortable and confident in communicating and expressing ideas in English. In a foreign language class, the opportunity for frequent discussion and interaction is a crucial factor in helping students progress rapidly.

Ms. Nguyen guides students in completing exercises at Khan Academy.

In addition to creating a dynamic learning space, Ms. Nguyen constantly listens to student feedback after each session and adjusts the content and tools to ensure the best learning experience. This adaptability is the key to keeping her classes lively and ensuring students enjoy this engaging educational experience.

The future of integration for the young generation

The students participating in Ms. Nguyen's "English Language Arts" class already had a basic foundation in English. However, after completing the course, they naturally use English and develop crucial skills. The lessons covering diverse topics such as Science, Social Studies, and Technology have helped students cultivate critical thinking, reading comprehension, analysis, presentation, and writing skills. These essential skills are vital for future development, opening up opportunities for international integration and active contributions to society.

Ms. Nguyen hopes that through their experiences in her class, students will gain greater self-confidence, be ready to face more significant challenges in life and stay committed to their educational and career paths. More importantly, she hopes this newfound confidence will inspire them to contribute to their families and communities and become responsible global citizens.

TIN LIÊN QUAN
	More than 1,300 students and parents attended New South Wales education showcase in Vietnam
	Son La city promotes the role of early childhood education in lifelong learning