HOW VIETNAMESE STUDENTS ARE READY FOR ENGLISH MEDIUM EDUCATION: A BRIEF REVIEW ON STUDENT ATTAINMENT

Abstract

The year 2025 marks the beginning of a new phase in Vietnam’s education system, particularly in English language education. Following Conclusion No. 91 by the Politburo, which stresses the importance of improving students’ foreign language proficiency and aims to gradually establish English as a second language in schools - a goal described as both challenging and necessary (Vietnamnet, 2024), multiple policy dialogues, reviews, and reports have been conducted to lay the legal groundwork for this significant reform. Given the current state of English language teaching and learning in Vietnam and the expectations for English Medium Education (EME), it is essential for education stakeholders to assess how teachers and students are prepared for their roles in this reform. Their readiness will be crucial in achieving the goals of international integration and economic growth. This systematic review examines Vietnam’s foreign language policies, student achievement, and the opportunities and challenges in English language education. The findings aim to provide insights into students’ current capabilities, serving as a foundation for future policy developments in EME.