Inspiring a Passion for English Among Students in Disadvantaged Areas
For more than 16 years, teacher Dao Thi Hien (born in 1983) from Da M’ri Primary School in Da Huoai 2 Commune, Lam Dong Province has quietly devoted herself to nurturing a love for English among students growing up in disadvantaged conditions
In her small classroom at Da M’ri Primary School, English lessons are always lively and engaging. Sometimes they begin with interactive language games; at other times, students confidently perform short dialogues in front of their classmates. Under Dao Thi Hien’s gentle and approachable guidance, English is no longer perceived as a difficult subject but has become a class students eagerly look forward to.
After graduating from Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in 2009, Hien chose to work at Da M’ri Primary School, where she has remained ever since. In the early days, teaching and learning conditions were limited, with inadequate facilities and teaching equipment, making it difficult for students to access foreign language education.
Driven by a desire to help young learners overcome their fear of English, Hien continuously sought new teaching approaches. In an area where learning conditions remain challenging, she realized that traditional methods alone would not be effective. As a result, she adopted student-centered strategies to spark interest from the very first lessons.
Her classes blend group work, language games, and interactive exercises so students can learn and practice simultaneously. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are naturally integrated to build confidence and develop English fluency. She also leverages information technology to boost engagement and learning outcomes.
Beyond regular lessons, Hien dedicates time to mentoring gifted students, coaching exam skills, and preparing them for the English Violympic competition. Thanks to her commitment, the school consistently boasts three national-level prize winners each year, along with numerous provincial and school-level awards. The proportion of students achieving excellent English results has remained above 60 percent.
Over the past year, in addition to her normal workload, Hien has volunteered to teach online for Pa Vi Semi-Boarding Primary School for Ethnic Minorities in Meo Vac Commune, Tuyen Quang Province — where most students belong to ethnic minority communities and English teachers are scarce. Despite technical difficulties and students’ weak foundations, she continued, saying that seeing their progress makes every challenge worthwhile.
The early days were very challenging. The geographical distance, unstable internet connections, and students'weak foundations required great patience. But seeing the students gradually improve makes every effort worthwhile.
Teacher Dao Thi Hien - Da M’ri Primary School, Da Huoai 2 Commune
Principal Le Xuan Thuc describes her as “a dedicated, responsible teacher who proactively innovates teaching methods and significantly contributes to improving English education and overall school quality.”
Her efforts have been formally recognized. For two consecutive years, Hien has been rated as “excellent in fulfilling duties.” In the 2024–2025 academic year, she received a Certificate of Merit from the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee for outstanding contributions to education.