From an online classroom to a real-life reunion: Technology opens doors, people build connections

Her students came from across Vietnam. Some lived in Hanoi, while others joined from remote and rural communities. Some kept their cameras on throughout class, while others relied only on audio because of unstable internet connections. Although they had never met in person, they all shared the same goal: improving their English to create more opportunities for the future.

Every week, Ms. Nguyen and the students learn online together.

After nearly two years of learning together online, Nguyen finally had the opportunity to meet her students and their parents in person at the Khan Academy Vietnam office. Without the barriers of internet connections and small video windows, the gathering quickly felt less like a first meeting and more like a reunion among people who had known one another for years.

"I realized I remembered so many stories about my students, even though we had only ever met online," Nguyen said. "Seeing them in person, watching them confidently share their learning journeys, was an incredibly special and joyful experience."

A common theme emerged as students shared their experiences: for many of them, the biggest obstacle in learning English had never been grammar or vocabulary—it was the fear of making mistakes and speaking with confidence.

"I used to be afraid of English. I even hated the subject," said Ngoc Lam, an eighth-grade student at Ngo Si Lien Secondary School in Hanoi. "But every class with Ms. Nguyen was fun and encouraging. She always created such a comfortable learning environment that I gradually began to enjoy English and became much more confident using it."

For Minh Thuy, the class changed not only her English ability but also her perspective on learning itself.

"I used to be afraid of speaking English because I worried about mispronouncing words and being judged," she said. "Ms. Nguyen always reminded us that making mistakes is a normal part of learning a new language. Over time, I stopped being afraid. The most valuable thing I gained from the class wasn't just better communication skills—it was the confidence to speak and to keep learning."

Parents noticed those changes as well.

"Every week after class, my child would tell me stories about Ms. Nguyen and the other students," said Nguyen Trang, one of the parents. "What impressed me most wasn't how many new words my child had learned. It was seeing my child no longer afraid to speak English. They began practising on their own, looking for additional learning materials, and eagerly looking forward to every class."

Ngoc Lam's mother said the family's greatest appreciation was for the teacher's dedication.

"Our children didn't just gain knowledge," she said. "They were listened to, encouraged, and trusted. That's something not every classroom can offer."

The gathering was part of Khan Academy Vietnam's Open Classroom initiative, which connects volunteer teachers, experts, and professionals with students across Vietnam through free online learning opportunities.

To date, the program has organised hundreds of Open Classrooms, reaching thousands of students nationwide. More than 500 teachers and volunteers have contributed to courses in English, mathematics, computer science, SAT preparation, and many other subjects. Beyond providing free, high-quality educational opportunities, the program enables students from different regions to learn alongside educators and professionals they might otherwise never have the opportunity to meet.

The reunion also raised a timely question for education today: as artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly powerful learning tool, what continues to make a classroom meaningful?

"I can use AI to help answer my questions," said Hai Son, a student at Cao Vien 1 Primary School in Hanoi. "But when I learn with Ms. Nguyen, she pays attention to how I'm doing, follows my progress, and encourages me to keep trying."

The meeting between Ms. Nguyen and the students after 2 years of online learning

According to Nguyen, that is precisely where teachers make the greatest difference in the age of AI.

"AI can answer many questions," she said. "But timely encouragement, patient listening, and believing that every student can improve are things that only another human being can truly provide."

Before saying goodbye, the students presented Nguyen with handwritten cards, drawings, and small gifts they had prepared in advance. After nearly two years of meeting only through computer screens, it was the first time they could thank their teacher in person.

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