Japanese becomes a general subject in Vietnamese schools
Japanese will be officially taught as a foreign language in Vietnam’s national education system beginning in the 2025 academic year, according to the Ministry of Education and Training
THE HANOI TIMES — The teaching of Japanese as a foreign language will begin in the third grade this school year and continue until the twelfth grade. This was agreed during the official visit of Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and his wife to Vietnam in late April.
Japanese is becoming increasingly popular among young students in Vietnam. Photos: The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam
As part of the visit, the two sides inked a framework agreement on the teaching of Japanese in Vietnamese general education schools. A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in human resource development for the semiconductor industry was also signed.
Under the agreement, the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam and the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training will work on Japanese language education from primary to high school.
Japan has pledged to provide financial support to Vietnamese schools offering Japanese language classes. In addition, Japan will send language experts to assist in curriculum development, textbook preparation, and the supply of teaching and reference materials.
The cooperation will also include expert visits to high schools, professional development for Vietnamese teachers, and classroom support. Furthermore, students and teachers will have the opportunity to participate in annual exchange programs in Japan to strengthen cultural and academic ties.
Hanoi students participate in the annual National Japanese Short Drama Competition, which is open to middle and high school students nationwide.
Japanese was taught as a second foreign language on a pilot basis in the 2003-2004 school year and later as a compulsory foreign language in selected high schools from 2016-2017.
Starting in 2024, Japanese will join English, Russian, French, and Chinese as an official subject in Vietnam's national competition for outstanding students.
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, more than 20,000 high school students studied Japanese in 2023 - second only to French among non-English foreign languages. The language continues to grow in popularity across the country.
Dr. Nghiem Hong Van, Head of the Japanese Language Department at Hanoi University, noted that more than 4,000 students have graduated with degrees in Japanese language studies. In 2022, 98.3% of these graduates secured employment within six months, with nearly 80% working in their field in domestic and international organizations as translators, interpreters, educators, researchers, and tour guides, contributing significantly to Vietnam-Japan relations.
