Connecting communities, innovating methods, spreading Vietnamese language among young Overseas Vietnamese in RoK
WVR - On April 12, a seminar themed “Current Situation and Solutions for Developing Vietnamese Language and Culture Teaching in the Vietnamese community in Republic of Korea" took place in Gwangju City.
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| Seminar themed “Current Situation and Solutions for Developing Vietnamese Language and Culture Teaching in the Vietnamese Community in Republic of Korea”. (Photo: Chu Van) |
The seminar was attended by representatives from the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, under Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's External Relations Committee - Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnamese Embassy in Republic of Korea, associations, experts, teachers, parents, and a large number of overseas Vietnamese.
The program was organized by the Global Network for Vietnamese Language Teaching and Cultural Preservation in collaboration with the Vietnamese Association in Jeonnam - Gwangju. It is one of the key activities aimed at promoting the preservation of the Vietnamese language within the overseas Vietnamese community.
From policy to practice: Placing Vietnamese language at the center of community connection
Speaking at the seminar, Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Mai, Deputy Head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that preserving and promoting the Vietnamese language in the overseas Vietnamese community is not only a cultural need but also a crucial foundation for strengthening national identity and community cohesion across generations.
In the context of the strong development of Vietnam-Republic of Korea relations, the Vietnamese language is gaining more opportunities to spread. However, it also faces significant challenges as the younger generation, born and raised in a multilingual environment, tends to gradually lose proficiency in their mother tongue.
In response to this reality, she emphasized the need to innovate approaches, particularly by enhancing technology application, developing flexible learning models that combine online and offline methods, and increasing the digitization of learning materials to support the community effectively and efficiently.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Dang Thanh Phuong, Deputy Head of the People's External Relations Committee, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, stated that the Vietnamese language is not only a means of communication but also a cultural bridge, playing a vital role in maintaining the connection of the overseas Vietnamese community with their homeland.
According to him, preserving the Vietnamese language should be seen as a common task for the entire society, requiring the coordinated participation of associations, families, and representative agencies.
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| Book donation to children. (Photo: Chu Van) |
Stories creating solutions for maintaining Vietnamese language
The highlight of the program was the seminar and direct interaction session between delegates, teachers, and parents, where practical issues were openly shared.
From the parents' perspective, the story of the language gap between children and grandparents when returning to Vietnam resonated with many attendees. It is not the emotional distance, but the language barrier that prevents children from fully expressing their feelings to their families.
From this reality, many parents believe that teaching Vietnamese is not just about teaching a language but preserving family connections, memories of the homeland, and cultural identity for the younger generation.
From the teachers' perspective, opinions also focused on the difficulties in maintaining classes: lack of suitable learning materials for multicultural children, lack of specialized teaching methods, and lack of connection between classes within the community. Many current classes still operate on personal volunteerism and dedication, lacking a systematic foundation for long-term development.
The seminar atmosphere became more lively during the interaction session, when questions were directly posed, revolving around how to maintain children's interest in learning Vietnamese, the role of families in sustaining the language, and how to create an environment for using Vietnamese in daily life.
The exchanges were not theoretical but tied to real-life situations: when children are accustomed to using Korean, when parents lack time to accompany them, or when classes cannot be sustained long-term. From there, a common awareness gradually formed: to preserve Vietnamese, it cannot rely solely on classes but must start from the family and community.
Towards a sustainable Vietnamese language ecosystem
Continuing the program, the content on Vietnamese teaching methods provided many practical insights. Experts emphasized that teaching Vietnamese to children abroad needs a shift in approach, moving from mere language instruction to creating learning experiences.
Accordingly, Vietnamese should be integrated into activities such as storytelling, games, and cultural activities, allowing children to approach it naturally and more enthusiastically. Additionally, the application of technology, the development of digital learning materials, and the connection of classes are also seen as important solutions to enhance teaching effectiveness.
The seminar in Gwangju did not stop at discussions but opened a clear direction: Transitioning from spontaneous models to building an organized, connected, and long-term oriented Vietnamese teaching ecosystem.
Key elements identified include: standardizing learning materials, training teachers, applying technology, and especially creating an environment for Vietnamese to be used in the daily life of the community.
The program also affirmed the role of coordination between domestic agencies, overseas representative agencies, and community organizations in creating a sustainable foundation for Vietnamese teaching and learning.
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| Professor, Dr. Pham Minh Thuyet, Chief Editor of the "Vui hoc tieng Viet" book series. (Photo: Chu Van) |
Solving methodological challenges in a multilingual environment
Within the framework of the seminar, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Thuyet, Chief Editor of the 2018 General Education Program, Chief Editor of the Vui hoc tieng Viet book series, shared directly about the structure of learning materials and the orientation of teaching methods suitable for Vietnamese children abroad.
According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Thuyet, teaching Vietnamese in a multilingual context cannot follow traditional approaches but needs to shift to flexible methods, centering on learners and linking language with experience and culture.
He emphasized that instead of focusing heavily on learning letters and grammar, it is necessary to create an environment where children can listen, speak, and interact naturally through storytelling, games, and community activities, thereby fostering a sustainable love for the Vietnamese language.
The sharing was not only theoretical but also connected with real-life situations in the teaching process, providing teachers and parents with specific directions in accompanying children.
Through this, a new approach is gradually being shaped: Teaching Vietnamese is not just about conveying language but nurturing emotions, memories, and the connection of the younger generation with the cultural roots of the nation.
