Vietnam Education Publishing House: Creating an English learning space for Primary school students
Three book series, Amazing Science, MOVE UP 1-5, and Math in My World, published by Vietnam Education Publishing House ( VEPH) offer diverse approaches that integrate foreign languages with science, mathematics, and experiential activities...
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| The supplementary English book series MOVE UP 1-5 by Vietnam Education Publishing House (VEPH). is designed with a progressive learning path, suitable for the psychological characteristics and language acquisition abilities of children. (Source: Vietnam Education Publishing House) |
Taking English beyond the classroom
In the process of learning a foreign language, memorizing vocabulary, mastering sentence structures, and practicing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are fundamental requirements. However, for students to truly enjoy and be able to use English, it is crucial not only to receive knowledge but also to have opportunities to apply the language in specific situations.
From this approach, integrating English with other fields of knowledge is becoming a notable learning direction at the elementary level. Instead of learning a foreign language as an independent subject, students can use English to explore objects, phenomena, and issues close to life. This is also the direction reflected in the three book series by Viet Nam Education Publishing House: Amazing Science, MOVE UP 1-5, and Math in My World.
Each book series has its own implementation method but all aim to help students build a foreign language foundation through lively learning experiences suitable for their age. With Amazing Science, English becomes a tool for children to approach the world of science. The series, designed for students from grades 1 to 5, uses familiar questions like why there are day and night, what makes plants grow, or how natural phenomena operate as starting points for the learning journey.
A notable point is that the series applies the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) method, combining the acquisition of scientific knowledge with the development of English language proficiency. Two goals are pursued simultaneously: students expand their understanding of the world around them while accumulating vocabulary, enhancing reading comprehension, and becoming familiar with using a foreign language in learning.
This approach helps the language connect with a specific context. Instead of merely memorizing an English word with its corresponding meaning, students have the opportunity to place vocabulary in learning situations, observe objects, explore phenomena, and gradually express what they discover.
Meanwhile, MOVE UP 1-5 is designed as a supplementary English book series for elementary students, focusing on building a progressive language development path. The series aims to develop the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing simultaneously at each level, with a path compatible with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Not only focusing on language knowledge, the exercise system of MOVE UP 1-5 is also designed to familiarize students with international English proficiency assessment formats for children such as Cambridge English Young Learners with Starters, Movers, Flyers levels; TOEFL Primary Step 1 and Step 2; and PEIC (Pearson Test of English) Young Learners. This provides students with additional opportunities to consolidate knowledge, practice test-taking skills, and become familiar with foreign language proficiency assessment formats.
Another approach is reflected in the Math in My World series. With five books for students from grades 1 to 5, the series chooses mathematics as the context for children to approach English. Numbers, calculations, shapes, and familiar situations become materials that help students familiarize themselves with vocabulary, sentence patterns, and expressions in a foreign language.
Through math content arranged from easy to difficult, students not only consolidate learned knowledge but also have the opportunity to practice English in specific situations. From counting, simple calculations to measurement, plane geometry, and spatial geometry, the language is placed in relation to familiar knowledge, making reception more natural.
Three book series, three approaches, but they all converge at one point: Expanding the space for using English, so that the foreign language is not only something students need to memorize but also a tool that helps them explore and acquire knowledge.
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| The Amazing Science series by NXB Giao duc Viet Nam offers elementary students the opportunity to explore the world in English. (Source: Viet Nam Education Publishing House) |
From pages to experiences
For elementary students, lesson content needs to be accompanied by an appropriate delivery method. Visual images, vibrant colors, thought-provoking questions, and interactive activities can make a difference in the knowledge acquisition process, especially when students are new to a language. All three book series emphasize this factor, but each has its own way of organizing activities and designing learning materials.
In Amazing Science, the system of illustrative images, bright colors, and clear layout helps students easily follow the content, connect words with images, and scientific concepts. The learning journey is organized into multiple sections with specific goals.
If Let's Learn helps students approach scientific concepts through visual images, then Let's Practice provides opportunities to consolidate vocabulary and sentence structures in a learning context. Let's Memorize supports the systematization of knowledge and key terms, while Let's Read aims to develop reading comprehension skills, expanding the ability to receive information in English.
Notably, the Let's Experiment section incorporates small experiments into the learning process. By observing phenomena, exploring results, and applying learned knowledge, students have the opportunity to approach science through experience rather than just receiving information from the pages. This also helps children become familiar with observing, asking questions, and exploring issues proactively.
With MOVE UP 1-5, the visual element is expressed through artistic design with bright colors, lively images, and a system of narrative characters with distinct personalities, appearing throughout the lessons. Familiar situations in daily life are used to introduce vocabulary and English structures into context, helping students approach the language more closely.
In terms of methodology, the series applies a concentric spiral learning model, organizing knowledge through the process of Discovery - Practice - Real-world Application. Vocabulary and language structures are reviewed and expanded through lessons, providing conditions for students to consolidate old knowledge and gradually use English in diverse contexts.
An emphasized content is the Phonics program combined with the international phonetic system right from the first lessons. Through sound recognition, pronunciation practice, and word reading, students gradually build a phonetic foundation, supporting the development of listening, speaking, and reading skills in English.
Not stopping at language training, MOVE UP 1-5 also aims to develop the four core skills of the 21st century, often referred to as the 4Cs, including Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.
Interactive activities, group projects, and problem-solving exercises create opportunities for students to present ideas, exchange with friends, collaborate on tasks, and find suitable solutions. Additionally, the content integrates topics in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and life skills following the CLIL orientation, expanding opportunities to use English in the process of interdisciplinary knowledge exploration.
Meanwhile, Math in My World chooses to learn through numbers and familiar mathematical situations. Math problems, calculations, and interactive activities not only help students become familiar with specialized terminology in English but also encourage them to use the language to describe, exchange, and present problem-solving methods.
The series emphasizes developing the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing simultaneously through common sentence patterns, short dialogues, and diverse learning activities. The content is built from situations familiar to children, helping them realize that mathematics and English are not separate knowledge but can coexist in daily life.
A notable commonality of MOVE UP 1-5 and Math in My World is the accompanying digital learning materials system, supporting the teaching and learning process both at school and at home. With MOVE UP 1-5, teachers can utilize lesson plans, teaching plans, presentation slides, and sample tests. Students and parents have additional audio files with native speakers, animated videos illustrating lesson situations, vocabulary flashcards, and key word lists for review and self-study.
For Math in My World, a digital resource system is provided and available for free download. This resource supports teachers in diversifying classroom activities, while also helping parents have additional materials to accompany their children in the review process at home.
The combination of printed books and digital learning materials thus not only expands the form of lesson access but also creates additional conditions for English learning to be maintained flexibly in various environments.
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| The Math in My World series offers an engaging integrated learning method. (Source: NXB Giao duc Viet Nam) |
Building a foundation of thinking, nurturing a spirit of integration
Learning a foreign language from an early age is not simply about accumulating vocabulary or knowing how to use common sentence patterns. More importantly, it is a process of building confidence, the ability to receive information, and a proactive spirit of exploring new things.
From this perspective, the three book series by Viet Nam Education Publishing House not only aim to equip students with English knowledge but also expand opportunities for them to develop necessary competencies through various fields of study.
With Amazing Science, questions about the natural world and small experiments provide opportunities for children to develop habits of observation, reasoning, and seeking answers. When scientific knowledge is approached in English, students have additional opportunities to practice reading comprehension, expression, and connecting what they have learned with what is happening around them.
In MOVE UP 1-5, the goal of competency development is expanded through the 4Cs orientation and interactive learning activities. Students are not only taught how to use the language but are also encouraged to present ideas, collaborate, think independently, and be creative in solving tasks.
Notably, the series also pays attention to cultural exchange. Besides learning about the unique features of countries around the world, students are encouraged to introduce Vietnam's landscapes, traditional festivals, cuisine, and people in English. Through this, they have the opportunity to enrich their understanding of their homeland and country while developing an open-minded spirit when approaching different cultures.
Meanwhile, Math in My World creates conditions for students to combine logical thinking with language ability. When using English to describe calculations, shapes, or present a math solution, they not only become familiar with mathematical terminology but also gradually develop the ability to express and think independently. The knowledge and skills accumulated from the series also lay the foundation for students to approach integrated learning programs, bilingual education environments, and future math exams in English.
It can be seen that the difference in the three book series lies in the paths to bring English closer to students. If Amazing Science sparks curiosity through science, MOVE UP 1-5 builds a path for developing foreign language and comprehensive skills, while Math in My World connects language with mathematical thinking. Each series adds an approach, helping English learning not be confined to memorization exercises but associated with exploration, practice, and application activities.
For schools, teachers, and parents, choosing learning materials suitable for the age, ability, and needs of children is always important. Book series with content organized according to a clear path, approach methods, and diverse activity systems can become reference materials in building a positive foreign language learning environment.
In a world where knowledge is increasingly interconnected, English is not only a means of communication but also a bridge that helps students access many fields of study. When nurtured by scientific questions, familiar numbers, or rich interactive exploration activities, the love for foreign languages can begin naturally. And the journey of integration for each student is sometimes formed from such simple learning experiences.
