Boosting Preschool Teachers' English Skills: Key to Ho Chi Minh City's Education Plan

According to Luong Thi Hong Diep, head of the Preschool Education Division at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, only 3.11% of preschool teachers have B2‑level English proficiency or higher. This low rate makes the city’s goal of English as a second language for young children difficult to achieve.

A survey of 741 educational institutions offering English familiarisation programmes found only 484 of the 15,554 preschool teachers assessed met the B2 benchmark. That represents just 3.11% of the workforce, Diep said.

Diep explained that the biggest obstacle is teachers’ lack of confidence communicating with children in English. Because of this, English instruction now relies heavily on teachers from foreign‑language centres. In many local areas, there are no teachers who meet the B2 benchmark, limiting implementation to a few well‑positioned public schools.

To address the gap, the city will prioritise teachers currently at B1 level for intensive training. The 2026‑2045 programme, which Diep said will cost more than VND738 billion (US$28.7 million), will provide funding, paid time off, and incentives to attract staff with stronger English skills. The plan also includes resources for teaching materials, digital infrastructure and facility upgrades.

If the city succeeds in moving B1 teachers up to B2, it will create a pool of qualified staff able to deliver English lessons across preschools. This progress is essential for achieving Ho Chi Minh City’s broader education objectives.

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