Free English Classes at Buu Lam Pagoda
On weekends, the grounds of Buu Lam Pagoda in Ham Lien commune come alive with the sound of children reading English in unison. What began nearly three years ago with just over 10 students has grown into a free English class attended by nearly 150 children.
Preparing her books, Nguyen Ngoc Gia Linh is ready to go to her extra English class. However, her destination is not a familiar foreign language centre or tutoring class; it is the free English class at Buu Lam Pagoda, where Gia Linh has been studying for some time. “I really like coming to class because I can study for free and learn with a foreign teacher. Every lesson is fun and I learn many new things,” Gia Linh said.
Like Gia Linh, Hieu Nga comes to class eager to learn. Once timid, she has gradually grown more confident in speaking short English sentences and communicating with others. “Before, I was a bit afraid of learning English, especially speaking it. But since joining this class, I have become more confident,” Nga said.
That change is also easy to notice among many other students. From hesitant answers, the children have gradually become more comfortable with listening, responding and speaking simple English sentences in class.
Nurturing Dreams from a Small Class
Launched in 2023 with just over 10 students, the free English class has grown to serve about 150 children in nearly three years. They are now divided into five groups by proficiency level, with regular lessons held every Saturday and Sunday.
Although completely free, the teaching and learning process is carefully structured, with curricula based on standardized English programs and a stable study schedule. Participating students also have the opportunity to interact with foreign teachers to practice pronunciation, response skills and communication.
For Jake, one of the instructors, teaching English on the grounds of a rural pagoda is a special experience. In the early days, many students were still timid, hesitant to speak and even struggled to respond in English. But their eagerness to learn quickly created a close-knit atmosphere in the class. “I really enjoy teaching here. The students are always eager to learn, and it makes me happy to see them improve day by day,” Jake said.
What impressed him even more was discovering that the class is completely free for local children. To him, progress is measured not only by how many new words students remember or how many exercises they complete correctly, but also by their growing confidence in raising their hands, volunteering answers and speaking English in class.
Keeping Learning Uninterrupted
According to Venerable Thich Nguyen Am, abbot of Buu Lam Pagoda, the class was opened in 2023 with the hope of providing a practical learning opportunity for local children, especially those who cannot afford to attend foreign language centers. With that goal, the Venerable and the Pagoda's Study Promotion Board mobilized charitable organizations to join hands in organizing and maintaining the class, while establishing a management team to track attendance and follow up with students when they are absent.
“We also coordinate with a university in Ho Chi Minh City and benefactors to support students with strong academic performance, awarding scholarships to those who excel in their studies. We hope that every child, especially those in the local community, will have better access to learning opportunities and be better prepared for the future,” Venerable Thich Nguyen Am said.
For many families in rural areas, a free class close to home not only helps reduce costs and the time spent taking children to and from class, but more importantly, provides them with a stable environment in which to continue learning English regularly.
Bui Thi Thu Hieu said: “My child studies here and has made remarkable progress. Our family is very happy because we truly cannot afford to send our child to a language center. The class is close to home, yet the children still follow a well-structured curriculum and learn from dedicated teachers.”
For the children of Ham Lien, opportunity can begin with something as simple as a place to learn on weekends, a teacher willing to listen and the confidence to speak a few words of English aloud. From those small beginnings, the free class at Buu Lam Pagoda continues to grow, quietly but steadily, opening new doors for local children.