Teachers who once felt hesitant after long periods without using English are developing new learning habits through the self-study movement, proactively improving their foreign language skills while spreading the spirit of lifelong learning.
Nguyen Thi Hieu (left), despite her age, stays enthusiastic and finds joy in participating in the "National English Self-Study Month for Teachers."
From Hesitation to the Joy of Self-Study
Over the past two weeks, Nguyen Thi Hieu (born in 1970), a teacher at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Primary School (Bac Gia Nghia Ward), has spent about 30 minutes every day studying English online. Some days she takes advantage of self-studying at home; other times, she studies in groups with colleagues. Completing each lesson and conquering new material together has made these foreign language sessions lighter and more enjoyable.
“I studied English in the past, but I forgot a lot of knowledge because I didn't use it for a long time. Given my age, pronunciation is more difficult, but after two weeks of studying, I feel very interested. Not only am I reviewing what I learned before, but I am also forming a daily self-study habit,” Hieu shared.
According to Hieu, the most important outcome of the movement is not just helping teachers learn an additional foreign language, but also raising their awareness of the role of English in life and work. From there, each teacher proactively builds a self-study habit, regularly sharpening and updating their knowledge.
Like Hieu, Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, a first-grade teacher at Doan Thi Diem Primary School (Xuan Huong - Da Lat Ward ), registered to participate after her school and the education sector explained the significance of enhancing foreign language capacity. “I had not used English regularly for a long time, so I was a bit hesitant at first. But once I started learning, I found it fun, and the knowledge is divided into many levels, so almost anyone can participate,” Huong shared.
Nguyen Thi Thu Huong and her colleague take advantage of the weekend to study English together
What Huong enjoyed most was that her learning also positively influenced her family members. Seeing their mother dedicate time to studying every day, her children became more conscious of their own self-study.
For teachers, the "National English Self-Study Month for Teachers" should not end with the launch campaign; it needs to become a long-term habit. Without regular use, foreign language skills can easily fade. Maintaining daily study and practicing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills will help teachers improve their professional capacity while building the image of teachers who are always learning, innovating, and ready to adapt.
Stepping Forward Together with Students
For the Lam Dong education sector, promoting the English self-study movement among teachers is aligned with the goal of improving the quality of foreign language teaching and gradually moving towards making English a second language in schools.
According to Le Ba Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, efforts to improve the quality of English teaching are implemented alongside innovation in teaching methods, the development of digital capacity and preparations to enable students to use foreign languages in studying, communication, and integration. Building a teaching staff with foreign language capacity, a self-study spirit, and proactive knowledge updating is considered a key factor.
Previously, to support teachers in testing and evaluation, the department compiled a bank of 3,000 English questions for grades 3, 4, and 5 for teachers to use as a reference when developing blueprints for periodic tests. At the same time, the education sector issued and implemented its 2025–2035 plan, “Making English a Second Language in Schools.”
Participating in the "National English Self-Study Month for Teachers" has helped many educators realize its practical benefits and develop habits for self-study and professional research.
The "English Self-Study Month" has attracted a large number of teachers across the province. Driven by the daily learning efforts of individual teachers, the movement is expected to spread widely throughout schools. When teachers continuously learn, innovate, and improve their professional capacity, they can set a practical example, inspire students and foster a spirit of self-study among them.
The "National English Self-Study Month for Teachers" is implemented with the message "Teachers learn today - Students step forward tomorrow," aiming to create a broad learning movement among educators. The program runs from July 13 to August 22, 2026.
